BA goes the distance with link to Chile

British Airways is to launch the first ever direct non-stop flight between the UK and Chile, with its new route between London Heathrow and the capital, Santiago.

The service will begin on January 3 2017, and will immediately become BA’s longest – the 14 hours and 40 minutes required to travel to the Chilean capital eclipsing the 13 hours and 50 minutes it takes the airline to fly from Heathrow to Buenos Aires.

The connection will run four times a week and use the fleet’s newest aircraft, the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.

The Chile route is part of the carrier’s expansion into Latin America, which includes new flights to Peru and Costa Rica.

Introductory prices for the Santiago service will start at £749 return for a seat in economy, and £1,999 for a return ticket in business class.