British Airways’ January sale: Round-trip flights to Europe for under $550
Editor's Note
Quick summary
British Airways just launched its annual New Year sale, with discounted economy, premium economy and business-class flights from the U.S. to Europe through May.
Select round-trip economy flights from certain markets cost less than $550, and business-class flights start from $2,600.
Deal basics
Airline: British Airways
Routes: New York City, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles and others to London, Paris and Barcelona, among other destinations
How to book: Directly with the airline
Travel dates: January to May 2025; exact dates vary by route
Book by: 11:59 p.m. EST on Jan. 28
Blackout dates: Vary by route
Sample routes
The following round-trip economy and business-class flights were priced as listed at the time of publication. We cannot guarantee availability when you book:
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN), from $524 in economy
- Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), from $563 in economy
- Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) to London's Heathrow Airport (LHR), from $638 in economy
- LAX to LHR, from $667 in economy
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to LHR, from $1,443 in premium economy
- New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and BOS to LHR, from $2,645 in business class
- LAX to LHR, from $3,240 in business class
- Miami International Airport (MIA) to LHR, from $3,425 in business class
For example, you can fly in economy from LAX to LHR in late January for $657 round-trip.
The cheapest fares available will be for basic economy, which allows travelers one personal item and one carry-on item. It's cheapest to check a bag online, starting at $70 for your first bag. Seat selection is not included.
Premium economy fares offer wider seats and priority boarding, while business-class fares offer lie-flat seats, two carry-on and two checked bags, and priority check-in and boarding, among other perks. These fares are also nonrefundable.
Fare types can be changed online for free, excluding any difference in fare amount.
In addition to flights, this sale offers discounted vacation packages, including round-trip flights from New York City, Boston and Los Angeles and five-night hotel stays, starting at $859. Packages with flights from the same cities and rental cars start at $699.
Vacation packages are also available from the U.S. to Madrid, Rome, Barcelona and Edinburgh, Scotland.
Maximize your purchase
If you book this deal, use a credit card that earns bonus points on airfare purchases, such as:
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: 2 points per dollar spent on travel
- American Express® Gold Card: 3 points per dollar spent on airfare when booked directly with the airline or through American Express Travel
- The Platinum Card® from American Express: 5 points per dollar spent on airfare when booked directly with the airline or through American Express Travel® (on up to $500,000 of these purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar)
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®: 3 points per dollar spent on airfare
- British Airways Visa Signature Card: 3 Avios per dollar spent on British Airways purchases
Bottom line
British Airways offers travelers the flexibility of a longer booking window, with sale prices available for nearly two weeks through Jan. 28. Even so, if you see a deal you want, don't dawdle.
Related reading:
- JetBlue winter sale: One-way fares starting at $49
- British Airways rebrands loyalty program, unveils new revenue-based system for earning elite status
- British Airways Visa Signature credit card review: Combat high fuel surcharges and earn flexible Avios
- With 5 airline loyalty programs using Avios, here's why I focus on British Airways Executive Club
- British Airways unveils stunning new first-class suites