The most in-demand British Airways reward routes—and how to book them with Avios

British Airways (BA) reward seats are some of the most sought-after redemptions in the travel world—and for good reason. With over 15 million members in the British Airways Club loyalty programme, demand for Avios reward flights is fierce, particularly on long-haul routes in premium cabins, where you get the best value redemption for your points spend.

But why are BA reward flights so popular? And which routes are the hardest to grab? Here’s what you need to know, including the top tips for securing those coveted seats.

BA uniquely guarantees a minimum of 12/14 reward seats per flight (across all cabins), released 355 days in advance at midnight GMT. That includes at least:

• 4 seats in Club World (Business)
• 4 in World Traveller (Economy)
• 2 in World Traveller Plus (Premium Economy)
• 2 in First (if the aircraft offers it)

This policy gives Avios collectors a fair opportunity to secure premium cabin seats on every flight—something few other airlines offer.

Beyond the guaranteed number, British Airways are able to release further seats to book with points – which they frequently do. The amount of extra seats released depends on the amount of cash bookings and cancellations each particular scheduled flight has as it gets closer to fly day. For popular routes, Avios collectors often use tools to check seat availability on a regular basis, and even set Alerts to get notified when seats are released – so even when BA makes these extra seats available, competition to book them is strong.

British Airways is part of the IAG Loyalty group and shares the Avios currency with airlines like Iberia, Aer Lingus, Qatar Airways, and more. You can also collect Avios through:

Credit cards (e.g. Amex, Barclays, HSBC) which also offer a number of high value perks including Companion Vouchers and Upgrade Vouchers.

Nectar points conversions which allow Avios collectors to convert Nectar points collected on their weekly food shop into Avios to book reward flights.

Hotel stays, car hire, and online shopping via the BA Shopping Portal – rewarding collectors with points when booking their travel and holidays.

This widespread earning potential means more people chasing the same seats—especially in peak travel periods when more people look to travel and cash prices typically rise, meaning you can make some great cash savings by booking even short haul reward seats.

Booking Club World or First Class seats with Avios can offer exceptional value, especially since cash prices for those cabins can run into the thousands. Using Avios makes luxury travel far more accessible.

BA’s RFS model caps taxes and surcharges. Instead of paying unpredictable carrier fees, you’ll pay a fixed cash amount (e.g. £100 + Avios long-haul, or £1 + Avios short-haul). This makes Avios redemptions more affordable and transparent.

BA flies to over 200 destinations worldwide, including dream spots across Asia, Africa, the US, the Caribbean, and beyond. For bucket-list trips, family holidays, or luxury escapes, British Airways’ network is an Avios collector’s playground.

School holidays, Christmas, Easter, and summer breaks are when most travellers want to redeem Avios—and seats for these dates often disappear within hours of release. During these periods you’ll notice much lower availability in even Economy and Premium Economy, particularly on short haul routes which are attractive for families travelling with kids. I always use Alerts and reward seat notifications during these times of year.

British Airways Club status (Silver and Gold in this case) adds value to reward bookings, offering perks such as free seat selection, extra baggage allowance, priority check in and lounge access—even on Avios flights!

According to our most recent data, these are the British Airways routes with the highest reward seat demand this year:

With daily flights, reward seats on this route cost from 95,000 + £355 (off-peak Premium Economy, return).

Why it’s hot: Cape Town offers stunning landscapes—Table Mountain, Chapman’s Peak Drive, and the Twelve Apostles ridge—plus outdoor adventure, wine tours, and world-class dining at a fraction of European prices.

This route has multiple daily flights and Avios seat bookings cost from 110,000 + £455 (off-peak Premium Economy, return).

Why it’s hot: Clean, modern, and buzzing with culture, Singapore is perfect for first-time Asia explorers. Visit Gardens by the Bay, sample hawker food, or explore Sentosa’s family-friendly attractions.

British Airways offers multiple daily flights, where collectors will pay from 100,000 Avios + £405 (off-peak Premium Economy, return).

Why it’s hot: Tokyo blends ancient tradition with ultramodern vibes. Whether it’s temples, anime, street fashion, or sushi, this is a city that stuns with both contrast and consistency.

With flights a few days a week, a reward seat on this route costs from 100,000 Avios + £405 (off-peak Premium Economy, return)

Why it’s hot: Grand temples, riverside serenity, 24-hour nightlife, and unbeatable street food make Bangkok a perennial favourite for both first-timers and return visitors.

You can book seats on flights several days a week, and a rewards seat will cost you from 95,000 + £355 (off-peak Premium Economy, return)

Why it’s hot: A dream destination of white sands and overwater villas, the Maldives delivers total luxury, privacy, and tranquility. Snorkel with turtles or just switch off in a hammock above crystal-clear waters.

Here are my top tips for booking the most desirable Avios redemptions:

Reward seats become available 355 days before departure at midnight GMT. For popular routes, this is your best chance to secure availability—especially in Club World. Use reward seat finder tools to track release dates and set availability alerts.

If your return flight isn’t available when you look, book the outbound at T–355. You can add the return later by calling BA—just pay the difference in Avios and fees.

A bit of flexibility goes a long way! Search for flights from all London airports (LHR, LGW, LCY), rather than just one, and be open to flying midweek or off-season, departing from regional airports (e.g., Manchester, Edinburgh), and connecting via partner hubs (Madrid with Iberia, Doha with Qatar).

If availability is tight, consider flying into one city and out of another. British Airways allows open-jaw bookings on Avios redemptions, which gives you more flexibility to find seats. It might feel a little less convenient than you’d like, but it’s definitely better than not getting Avios seats at all!

One of my favourite points hacks is that BA lets you cancel Avios bookings for £35 per person or less (you may just forfeit your taxes if they’re lower). That means, for a minimal cost, if you spot availability—book it, then adjust or cancel if plans change. That’s certainly not the case with cash bookings – where you can lose the entire payment.

British Airways reward seats are popular for a reason: great value, fantastic destinations, and a loyalty programme that makes premium travel feel achievable. But with competition high and availability limited, knowing when and how to book makes all the difference.

Use my tips above—and a little forward planning—to make sure your Avios points take you exactly where you want to go in 2025 and beyond.