LONDON TO RIO FOR £240

Norwegian has launched the first-ever budget flights from Britain to Brazil.

The airline already flies from the UK to Buenos Aires, plus a dozen North American destinations, and it will begin the service from Gatwick to Rio de Janeiro on March 31, with one-way fares from £240.

Bjorn Kjos, Norwegian’s CEO, said: “Our new Rio de

Janeiro route breaks the monopoly on direct flights between the UK and Brazil as we’re committed to lowering fares and making travel more affordable for all holidaymakers and business travellers.”

Currently only British Airways flies direct from Britain to Brazil, with daily services from Heathrow to Rio and Sao Paulo. Other options for UK travellers include indirect flights via Madrid (with Iberia) or Paris (with Air France).

Norwegian’s service will leave Gatwick at noon on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, arriving in Rio at 7.25pm. The return journey will leave Brazil at 10.25pm and arrive in London the following day at 1.35pm.

Norwegian’s will be by far the cheapest available direct service to Rio. A return ticket flying out on April 1 and back on April 8, costs £480 – or £530 for LowFare+, which includes two meals, a checked bag and seat reservation. The cheapest available BA fare for the same dates costs £696, according to Skyscanner. But if you’re willing to stop in Madrid, you can get a return to Rio on those dates for £466 (with BA/Iberia).