British Airways has unveiled an astonishing travel offer, allowing passengers to fly to France and Spain for just £2. However, this bargain comes with significant restrictions that limit eligibility to a select group of travellers.
Budget Routes to Popular Destinations
The airline recently introduced two new budget-friendly routes for early summer 2026, connecting London City Airport with Madrid in Spain and Toulon Saint-Tropez in France. For less than the cost of a typical coffee, travellers can explore the historic streets of Madrid, enjoy traditional sangria, or visit the southeastern French city of Toulon, known for its cable cars and sunny beaches.
The Crucial Catch for Travellers
These £2 flights are available to book now for May departures, but they come with a major condition. The reduced rate is exclusively accessible to members of The British Airways Club, and the flights are designated as Avios-Only. This means passengers must use loyalty points to secure the £2 fare, not cash.
For the new destination of Toulon, Club members need 21,500 Avios points to qualify for the £2 flight. Meanwhile, a £2 flight to Madrid requires 28,000 Avios points. Both routes include a generous 23kg checked baggage allowance, adding value to the offer.
Expanding Avios-Only Flight Programme
Since launching its Avios-Only initiative in 2023, British Airways has operated 48 such flights to 16 destinations across Europe, the Caribbean, Africa, and the Middle East. Notable destinations have included Cape Town, Barbados, Málaga, Marrakesh, and Sharm El Sheikh.
With this latest announcement, the airline will surpass 50 dedicated Avios-Only flights. The return flight from Madrid to London is set to mark the 50th milestone in this loyalty programme.
Executive Comments on the Initiative
Colm Lacy, British Airways' chief commercial officer, stated: 'We’re excited to release these latest Avios-Only flights, to two top leisure destinations for summer. These flights are always incredibly popular, and we’re delighted to give our loyal customers even more opportunities to enjoy the benefits of The British Airways Club.'
Adam Daniels, CEO of IAG Loyalty, added: 'While it's not been too long since our last Avios-Only flight, we are excited to be starting the year by announcing another two flights on London City Airport’s hottest new routes to Toulon and Madrid. With all seats onboard only available to book with Avios, the initiative shows the continued power of loyalty, and opens up greater redemption opportunities for customers during the peak summer months.'
Recent Changes to Reward Flight Pricing
In December, British Airways announced it would increase the price of its rewards flights, affecting both Avios points and cash components of fares. The airline cited rising Air Passenger Duty (APD), third-party charges, changing market conditions, and ongoing inflation as reasons for these adjustments.
The updates were formally announced in the Chancellor's Budget in November 2025. A BA spokesman explained: 'Our Reward Flight saver flights continue to offer our members incredible value, but a combination of factors has left us with no choice but to increase our prices. We've given members as much notice as we could to help them plan ahead.'
Initially, economy seat passengers needed 50,000 points and £100 for reward flights, but this increased to 55,000 points and £120 after December 15, 2025. This context makes the new £2 offers particularly notable, as they provide a low-cost alternative for loyal customers during peak travel season.
