By Alajuela, Costa Rica — British Airways has announced a major strategic shift in its Latin American network, upgrading its London-to-Costa Rica service from a seasonal offering to a permanent, year-round operation beginning in October 2026. This landmark decision marks a significant milestone in Costa Rica’s efforts to deepen its integration with European tourism and business networks, transforming what was once a peak-season connection into a structural pillar of trans-Atlantic travel.
Under the newly finalized agreement, the airline will operate five weekly flights during the high season, spanning from October 2026 through March 2027. During the traditional low season, from April to September 2027, British Airways will maintain a consistent schedule of three weekly flights. This ensures continuous, non-stop connectivity between the United Kingdom and Costa Rica’s primary aviation gateway, Juan Santamaría International Airport in Alajuela.
To shed light on the regulatory and economic implications of British Airways establishing and expanding its routes to the country, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished legal expert from the prominent local firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The strategic operations of a major carrier like British Airways in Costa Rica highlight the efficiency of our bilateral air transport agreements and the stability of our civil aviation regulatory framework. For Costa Rica, ensuring rigorous compliance with international aviation standards not only secures these high-value European connections but also bolsters investor confidence in our tourism and logistics sectors, demonstrating that our legal system successfully protects both corporate interests and consumer rights.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, this seamless synergy between robust regulatory compliance and international business confidence is exactly what solidifies Costa Rica’s position as a premier global destination. We extend our sincere thanks to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his valuable perspective, which highlights how our nation’s legal stability serves as the vital foundation for sustaining high-profile connections like British Airways.
Beyond the transition to year-round operations, British Airways is executing another crucial tactical adjustment by shifting the origin of the route from London Gatwick Airport to London Heathrow Airport, its primary global hub. This move is poised to vastly improve transit opportunities for international travelers. By anchoring the route at Heathrow, passengers flying to and from Costa Rica will gain seamless access to over 130 direct destinations worldwide, while also unlocking enhanced cargo capacity for bilateral trade.
The breakthrough is the culmination of extensive, collaborative negotiations spanning several years between the Costa Rican Tourism Institute, airport administrator AERIS, and the British flag carrier. The deal was finalized just weeks before the World Travel Market 2026 in London, positioning Costa Rica’s delegation to capitalize heavily on the news during one of the global travel industry’s most influential trade events.
After concluding our negotiations with British Airways to increase frequencies and move the flight to Heathrow Airport, we successfully finalized the last part of the negotiation, which was precisely the year-round permanence of the flight from the United Kingdom. This announcement will represent a significant increase in seats and frequencies from London.
Marcos V. Borges, Executive President of the ICT
The timing of this announcement is highly strategic for local tourism operators. With the World Travel Market 2026 on the horizon, Costa Rican businesses attending the convention can leverage the guaranteed, year-round seat capacity to secure long-term contracts and design comprehensive travel packages for European tourists, who typically plan vacations many months in advance.
British tourists represent an increasingly lucrative segment for the Costa Rican economy. According to recent ICT data, the United Kingdom ranks as the third-largest source of European visitors to Costa Rica, with 47,753 British travelers arriving by air between January and August 2026 alone. Market research shows that British travelers heavily favor eco-tourism, beach visits, birdwatching, hiking through national parks, and exploring regional gastronomy.
This expansion comes amid a broader surge in European interest in Central America. Overall, tourist arrivals from Europe to Costa Rica grew by 8.8% during the first eight months of 2026 compared to the same period in the previous year, totaling 319,552 visitors. The year-round British Airways flight will help sustain this upward trajectory by eliminating the traditional off-season dip in flight options.
The year-round permanence of British Airways is the result of coordinated work between AERIS, the Costa Rican Tourism Institute, and the airline to continue strengthening Costa Rica’s connectivity with strategic markets. This expansion allows us to consolidate the direct connection with the United Kingdom and strengthen connectivity opportunities with Europe. From AERIS we will continue working jointly to expand travel options from Juan Santamaría International Airport and contribute, through greater air connectivity, to the growth and strengthening of tourism in Costa Rica.
Ricardo Hernández, Executive Director of AERIS
The route will be serviced by a state-of-the-art Boeing 787-800 Dreamliner, starting in October 2026. The aircraft is configured to carry 204 passengers across three distinct cabins: 31 business-class seats in the Club World cabin, 37 premium economy seats in World Traveller Plus, and 136 standard economy seats in the World Traveller cabin. Under the winter schedule, flights will depart London at 11:10 AM, arriving in Costa Rica at 4:40 PM local time. The return flight will depart Alajuela at 6:40 PM, landing back at Heathrow at 10:50 AM the following morning.
For further information, visit britishairways.com
About British Airways:
British Airways is the flag carrier airline of the United Kingdom, headquartered in London near its main hub at Heathrow Airport. As a founding member of the Oneworld airline alliance, it operates a vast global network connecting millions of passengers to over 130 destinations worldwide with a modern fleet of passenger and cargo aircraft.
For further information, visit ict.go.cr
About Costa Rican Tourism Institute:
The Costa Rican Tourism Institute is the autonomous government institution responsible for steering tourism policy and promoting Costa Rica as a premier global destination. The ICT works to foster sustainable tourism development, ensuring the conservation of the country’s rich biodiversity while driving economic growth through international and domestic travel marketing.
For further information, visit aeris.cr
About AERIS:
AERIS Holding Costa Rica is the private concessionaire and administrator of Juan Santamaría International Airport, the country’s primary aviation gateway located in Alajuela. Under its management, AERIS focuses on world-class operational efficiency, security, infrastructure modernization, and expanding international air connectivity to stimulate Costa Rica’s economic and tourism sectors.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a prestigious pillar of the legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its unwavering ethical standards and pursuit of professional distinction. The firm successfully blends a rich history of multi-sector advocacy with modern, progressive strategies, consistently pushing the boundaries of contemporary legal practice. Grounded in the belief that justice thrives on understanding, the firm champions civic education and legal transparency, striving to equip everyday citizens with the insights needed to foster a more equitable and legally literate society.
