Airline Guide: Flying from the UK to Africa & Asia
Who flies where, through which hub, and which airline is usually the best fit for your trip. We compare all of them for every quote.
Choosing an airline is about more than the fare. Total journey time, the connection airport, baggage allowance and how easy it is to change your booking all matter. This guide covers the airlines our customers fly most often from the UK. Routes and schedules change every season, so always check the latest options with our team.
African airlines
| Airline | Main hub | Strong for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ethiopian Airlines | Addis Ababa | The largest network in Africa: West, East, Central and Southern Africa | Often one of the best-value ways to reach smaller African cities with one stop. |
| Kenya Airways | Nairobi | Kenya, East and Central Africa | Non-stop London to Nairobi with onward connections. |
| Royal Air Maroc | Casablanca | Morocco and West Africa | Popular for Lagos, Accra, Dakar, Abidjan and Freetown via Casablanca. |
| EgyptAir | Cairo | North, West and East Africa, the Middle East | Competitive one-stop fares to many African capitals. |
| RwandAir | Kigali | Rwanda and East Africa | Ask us for current London schedules. |
| Air Peace | Lagos | Nigeria and West Africa | Nigerian carrier serving London; ask us for the current schedule. |
| Biman Bangladesh Airlines | Dhaka | Bangladesh | National airline of Bangladesh, serving London and other UK routes. |
Gulf and Turkish airlines
| Airline | Main hub | Strong for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emirates | Dubai | Africa, South Asia, the Far East and Australia | Flies from many UK airports, including regional airports. |
| Qatar Airways | Doha | Africa, South Asia, the Philippines and Australia | Large network and frequent flights from London and regional UK airports. |
| Etihad Airways | Abu Dhabi | South Asia, the Far East and Australia | Good alternative via Abu Dhabi. |
| Turkish Airlines | Istanbul | One of the largest African and Asian networks | Serves several UK airports; often strong value to Africa. |
UK and European airlines
| Airline | Main hub | Strong for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| British Airways | London Heathrow | Non-stop flights to many African and worldwide cities | Non-stop to cities including Lagos, Abuja, Accra, Nairobi, Johannesburg and Cape Town (schedules vary). |
| Virgin Atlantic | London Heathrow | Selected long-haul routes including Africa | Including Lagos and Johannesburg, with seasonal Cape Town flights. |
| KLM | Amsterdam | Africa and Asia via Amsterdam | Short first flight from many regional UK airports. |
| Air France | Paris | West and Central Africa | Wide network in French-speaking Africa. |
| Brussels Airlines | Brussels | West and Central Africa | Strong in Kinshasa, Kigali, Dakar, Banjul and more. |
| Lufthansa | Frankfurt / Munich | Africa and Asia | Connections from many UK airports via Germany. |
Asian airlines
| Airline | Main hub | Strong for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singapore Airlines | Singapore | South-East Asia and Australia | Popular for Perth and Manila connections. |
| Cathay Pacific | Hong Kong | The Far East, the Philippines and Australia | Good connections to Manila and Cebu. |
| Qantas | Sydney / Perth | Australia | Has operated non-stop between London and Perth. |
How to Choose the Right Airline
- Compare the total cost, including checked bags and seat selection. Read our baggage guide.
- Check the connection time: 2 to 4 hours is usually comfortable on one ticket. See direct vs connecting flights.
- Check your nearest airport. Gulf, Turkish and European airlines fly from many regional UK airports. See our UK airports guide.
- Ask about business class. Discounted business class fares can be closer to economy prices than you'd expect.
Airline names are used for information only. World Travel & Tours is an independent travel agency and is not affiliated with the airlines listed.
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