Kenya Airways Increases London Gatwick Flights to 5x Weekly from July

Kenya Airways is increasing its Nairobi–London Gatwick service from three to five weekly flights, with the expanded schedule taking effect from 4 July 2026. The move makes London one of the carrier’s best-served European markets alongside the separate daily Heathrow operation.

The new schedule

The Gatwick service will operate Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Outbound flights (KQ108) depart Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at 23:40 and land at Gatwick at 06:50 the following morning. Return flights (KQ109) leave Gatwick at 11:00, arriving Nairobi at 21:55. All flights operate on the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.

The addition of Saturday and Sunday slots is particularly useful for travellers combining a working week with a safari — a Friday departure from Nairobi arrives Saturday morning, with same-day onward connections across the UK.

Why this matters

Until this expansion, Kenya Airways’ Gatwick service was thin enough that dates frequently sold out during peak periods (July–August and December). The increase in frequency gives travellers more flexibility on routing: travellers in southern England, Scotland and the north of England who prefer Gatwick over Heathrow now have viable options on five days of the week rather than just three.

The timing coincides with the approach of peak safari season. July is when the Masai Mara fills with wildebeest as the Great Migration crosses from the Serengeti — historically the most sought-after wildlife spectacle in Africa. Flights for July and August Mara visits are already well-booked; the expanded capacity provides a meaningful safety valve.

Combined with Kenya Airways’ existing daily Heathrow service, the carrier now operates up to 12 weekly departures between the UK and Nairobi — the largest UK-Kenya schedule in the airline’s history.

Booking

Tickets are available at kenya-airways.com. Travellers flying into Kenya must have a valid eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization), obtained in advance at etakenya.go.ke. The eTA costs USD 30 and is processed within 24–72 hours. Our Kenya flights guide covers transfer options at Jomo Kenyatta, onward domestic connections, and the differences between arriving at JKIA versus Wilson Airport for direct camp flights.