New routes from Europe to Asia
London to Colombo, plus Minsk to Bangkok and Zurich to Bengaluru

New routes from Europe to Asia
London to Colombo, plus Minsk to Bangkok and Zurich to Bengaluru
July 8th, 2026. British Airways will launch a service connecting London and the Sri Lankan Capital, Colombo, starting on October 23rd. The flight will depart three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Flight number BA2045 will depart from London’s Gatwick International Airport at 17:30 and arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport, Colombo, at 09:00 the next morning. The return leg, flight number BA2044, will leave the Sri Lankan capital at 11:00 on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, and arrive back in London at 17:00.
Boeing 777-200 will be deployed for the flight. The outbound journey will last about ten hours, and the return about ninety minutes longer.
Minsk to Bangkok
Belarusian flag carrier. Belavia Airlines will introduce a once-a-week service between Minsk and Bangkok commencing on October 25. The route will operate every Sunday.
Flight number B2799 will take off from Minsk National Airport at 03:10 and land at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport at 17:05. The return journey, flight number B2800, will leave the Thai capital at 19:05 and land back in Minsk at 01:50 the next morning.
The outbound flight duration will be a little under ten hours, the return flight will be about ten hours and forty-five minutes. The route will be served by Airbus A330-200 aircraft.
Zurich to Bengaluru
Starting on October 27th, Swiss International Air Lines will launch a route between Zurich and Bengaluru, the capital of Karnataka state in southern India. The service will depart five times a week on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
Flight number LX140 will take off from Zurich Airport at 13:20 and will land at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru, at 02:55 the next morning. The return leg, flight number LX141, will leave Bengaluru at 04:50 on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays and arrive back in Zurich at 10:50.
An Airbus A330-300 aircraft will serve the route, and the journey time will be a little over nine hours for the outbound flight and about ten and a half hours for the return.
Picture: Wolvendaal Church, Colombo, by A.Savin, Wikipedia
Hotel suggestions
Sofia Colombo City Hotel
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