Meet Me In St Louis - British Airways Announce New Service

British Airways is set to connect London with America's heartland (derogatorily known as flyover country), launching a new direct service between London Heathrow and St Louis, Missouri. Unfortunately this won't be time for you to "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, and will be starting 19th April 2026.

British Airways is set to launch a new direct service between London Heathrow and St Louis

What Do We Know So Far?

The new route, BA's 27th United States destination, will operate four times weekly on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Flight BA221 will depart Heathrow at 4:25 PM, arriving in St Louis at 7:30 PM local time, while the return service BA220 leaves St Louis at 10:00 PM, touching down at Heathrow at 12:05 PM the following day.

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The Cost

Return flights in Economy will start from £529.

Regarding those all important Avios redemptions there will be the usual 8 Economy Seats, 2 Premium Economy Seats and 4 Upper Seats. As you will know from our current ongoing series where we have covered destinations you can fly to with 25,000 Avios and 50,000 Avios, British Airways utilise a clear and concise system of what each destination will cost in Avios, with no dynamic pricing used

The Avios required to fly return between Heathrow and St Louis is:

• Economy: 60,000 Avios and £150

• Premium Economy: 95,000 Avios and £355

• Business: 180,000 and £475

100th Anniversary of Route 66

"Why now" we hear you cry! Well, 2026 sees 100 Years of Route 66, and the launch of this new route will coincide with this. Route 66 is the highway which stretches between Chicago and Los Angeles, and which conveniently meanders through St Louis.

Beyond this, I will not profess to be an expert of St Louis and the surrounding area (apart from Indianapolis, the home of the greatest race on earth being not too far away), so we asked AI to tell you... Take it away!

"Often called the Gateway to the West, St Louis offers visitors a compelling blend of American history, culture, and entertainment. The iconic Gateway Arch dominates the skyline at 630 feet, while attractions like the quirky City Museum, the world-class Saint Louis Art Museum, and the Saint Louis Zoo, home to over 12,000 animals, provide diverse experiences. Many major attractions, including the zoo and several museums, offer free admission.

Beyond the city, the Ozark region beckons with natural wonders including Meramec Caverns and Taum Sauk Mountain State Park, Missouri's highest peak. The surrounding countryside also features numerous wineries and state parks offering hiking, camping, and water sports."

Next Year All Our Troubles Will Be Out Of Sight

So there you have it, British Airways is officially putting St Louis on the map for London travellers, trading the Thames for the Mississippi in just under nine hours.

With only four flights a week, it’s more of a “clang, clang, clang went the schedule” than a full-on daily service, but it’s a promising start. Whether you’re heading stateside for business, BBQ, or the Gateway Arch, BA’s new connection might just make you want to “meet me in St Louis, Louis”

So, dust off your Avios, brush up on your Midwest charm, and maybe, just maybe, you’ll find yourself humming Meet Me in St Louis as you step off BA221 next spring.

Sam

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