Which London airport had British Airways flights to New York cancelled?

British Airways has cancelled all flights between London Gatwick (LGW) and New York JFK (JFK) from December 12, 2024, through March 25, 2025, citing engine supply chain delays that limited the airline’s ability to operate certain long‑haul aircraft. The pause affected only the Gatwick–JFK link and did not extend to the carrier’s larger Heathrow–JFK operation, which continued to run and even saw schedule adjustments and added summer 2025 frequencies.

Service on the Gatwick–JFK route resumed on April 28, 2025, with selective flights scheduled through October 3, 2025, using the same aircraft type that had been planned before the pause: the Boeing 777‑200ER.

Route differences and network strategy

The decision touched a core transatlantic corridor. London–New York remains one of the busiest city pairs in the world, and British Airways sits at the center of that flow. The airline’s two‑airport strategy matters here:

• Gatwick (LGW): Serves a price‑sensitive, leisure‑heavy market—families, groups, and travelers from south London and the wider southeast.
• Heathrow (LHR): Hosts the flagship, business‑heavy route with higher frequencies and premium traffic.

Because Heathrow held steady, the London–New York link stayed intact for most travelers, even as those holding Gatwick tickets faced changes.

Why the suspension happened

British Airways attributed the suspension to ongoing engine supply chain delays and timing for maintenance and overhauls. These constraints reduced the number of available long‑haul aircraft and forced the carrier to prioritize its network core.

When engine parts and overhaul slots are tight, carriers must adjust flying programs—even on well‑known routes—to preserve safety and reliability.

The Gatwick–JFK route, relaunched by the airline in 2023 as part of a wider Atlantic push, was the service chosen for the winter pause so that Heathrow’s trunk could remain stable.

Passenger handling and options

During the suspension, British Airways offered affected customers two primary remedies:

1. Rebooking onto other services (primarily Heathrow–JFK)
2. Full refunds

Practical points for passengers:

• Many were moved to Heathrow–JFK, which continued to operate through winter.
• Some faced longer ground commutes or additional costs when switching London airports.
• Others accepted refunds and rebooked with different carriers or dates.
• The airline advised customers to use its website and customer service channels to confirm options, make changes, or request refunds.

For travel to the United States, entry requirements did not change due to the schedule adjustment. Travelers using the Visa Waiver Program could review ESTA eligibility and apply at the official U.S. Customs and Border Protection site: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/.

Return to service and operational approach

• Aircraft type: Boeing 777‑200ER (same model as planned pre‑pause).
• Service resumed: April 28, 2025.
• Schedule through Oct 3, 2025: Selective flights rather than a full daily timetable.

This selective approach allowed British Airways to:

• Match aircraft and crew across the network as summer demand built.
• Keep Gatwick available for leisure travelers who prefer its location and fare profile.
• Protect Heathrow’s high‑yield, high‑frequency operations.

Timeline and operational picture

The December start date meant winter holidays and school breaks were in the affected window. Passengers could either switch to Heathrow, accept a refund, or wait for the late‑April restart at Gatwick.

Market and analyst perspective

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the Gatwick–JFK link fills a clear role:

• Targets price‑sensitive travelers, families, and leisure groups.
• Complements Heathrow’s premium and business‑heavy offering.
• Helps British Airways defend leisure market share against rivals and low‑cost entrants.

Industry watchers note that this two‑airport approach spreads risk: when one arm faces constraints (here, engine delays), the other (Heathrow) can absorb part of the load.

Passenger experience and practical advice

British Airways’ customer‑care measures focused on early clarity and choice. Key takeaways for travelers:

• Affected passengers were offered rebooking or refunds.
• If rebooked to Heathrow, allow extra time for ground travel across London.
• Entry documents and visa/ESTA requirements remain unchanged by airline schedule adjustments—check https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/ if using the Visa Waiver Program.
• After rebooking, confirm seat assignments and any special services to avoid surprises at the airport.

Longer‑term implications and outlook

• As of August 22, 2025, no further cancellations on Gatwick–JFK beyond the March 25 end of the suspension were announced.
• British Airways’ stated plan emphasized operational stability and careful recovery at Gatwick.
• The winter pause highlights a broader industry lesson: supply chains and maintenance capacity can materially affect long‑haul schedules. When those constraints ease, airlines typically rebuild capacity where demand is strongest.

Final summary — the core facts

• Route: London Gatwick (LGW) – New York JFK (JFK)
• Cancellation window: Dec 12, 2024 – Mar 25, 2025
• Reason: Engine supply chain delays
• Aircraft: Boeing 777‑200ER
• Service resumed: Apr 28, 2025
• Selective flights: Apr 28 – Oct 3, 2025
• Heathrow–JFK: Continued to operate with no mass cancellations in 2025

For prospective bookers, the practical advice remains: check current schedules on official airline channels, note airport differences when choosing flights, and confirm entry documents before travel. The Gatwick–JFK link is back, Heathrow remains the core New York gateway, and British Airways adjusted its network in winter to protect the corridor and restore leisure capacity for summer.