Starting in October 2026, British Airways will increase its flights between London and Juan Santamaría International Airport from three to five weekly frequencies during the European winter season, which will run through March 2027.
According to the airline, flights will operate on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, in a schedule designed to take advantage of the high demand for travel between Europe and Costa Rica during those months.
The decision consolidates Costa Rica as a strategic destination within British Airways’ long-haul route network to Latin America.
Airport Change: From Gatwick to Heathrow
A key element of the announcement is the transfer of operations from Gatwick Airport to Heathrow Airport, London’s main air terminal and one of Europe’s largest connection hubs.
This change facilitates better connections for European and British travelers by linking the Costa Rica route to a broader network of destinations within the United Kingdom, the rest of Europe, and other regions of the world.
Costa Rican authorities have noted that operating from Heathrow represents a significant competitive advantage for continuing to attract high-value tourism.
Flight Schedule and Capacity Details
According to information released by British Airways and reported by national media, the nonstop flight will depart London at 11:10 a.m. and arrive in Costa Rica at 4:40 p.m., before departing on the return leg at 6:55 p.m. and landing at Heathrow the following day at 11:05 a.m.
The route will be operated with Boeing 787-8 aircraft, with a capacity of approximately 204 seats distributed across business class, premium economy, and economy cabins, significantly increasing the number of available seats between both countries during peak season.
This increase in frequencies represents hundreds of additional seats per week, expanding travel options for both tourists and corporate travelers.
Importance for Costa Rican Tourism
The Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) has highlighted that the United Kingdom is consolidating its position as the third-largest European source market for tourists to Costa Rica, with 15,741 British visitors recorded by air during the first two months of 2026.
The increase in British Airways flights is seen as a strategic step to capitalize on this growth, facilitate the arrival of more travelers from the United Kingdom, and improve connectivity with other European markets connected via Heathrow.
For Costa Rica’s tourism sector, this announcement reinforces the commitment to international tourism that seeks nature, sustainability, and authentic experiences in destinations such as Costa Rica.
Official Voices and Future Vision
Costa Rica’s Minister of Tourism, William Rodríguez, has described the agreement with British Airways as “one of the most important negotiations for Costa Rica in recent times,” underscoring that it took nearly two years to finalize both the move to Heathrow and the increase in frequencies.
Rodríguez emphasized that the increase in flights and the operation from London’s main airport should translate into a significant rise in available seats and, consequently, a greater number of British travelers to the country.
For their part, representatives of AERIS, the operator of Juan Santamaría Airport, have described Heathrow as a key European hub and stated that this decision strengthens Costa Rica’s position as a gateway to the region.
Official and informational sources
- Communiqués and publications from the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT), including its social media announcement regarding the increase in British Airways frequencies.
- Statements by Costa Rica’s Minister of Tourism, William Rodríguez, covered by national media such as CRHoy, Delfino.cr, and Revista Viajes Digital.
- Information from British Airways regarding its London–Costa Rica operation and new frequencies, reproduced in specialized and business media across the region.
