British Airways is launching a new route to Sri Lanka from Gatwick next year.

The three-times-a-week service to the capital city Colombo will start on March 31st and will be operated by a Boeing 777 with three cabins including Club World with fully flat beds.

Flights go on sale today and will operate via Male in the Maldives.

Silla Maizey, British Airways managing director Gatwick, said: “This is such an exciting new route for us. The UK has the second largest number of tourists visiting the island after India so it’s a fantastic opportunity for them to fly there with British Airways from Gatwick.

“Sri Lanka has so much to offer visitors from beach, spa or adventure holidays, to cultural, wildlife and nature breaks.”

Customers flying to Colombo will travel through British Airways’ dedicated check-in area at Gatwick North Terminal, where new technology allows them to check-in faster and enjoy more time relaxing before their flight.