British Airways makes change to UK popular route adding 40 minutes to flight

British Airways has made a change to a popular route which has added 40 minutes to the flight time.

The carrier is set to replace its Airbus A320 with a smaller ATR72 turboprop jet on its London Gatwick and Glasgow, which will reportedly almost double the travel time.

ATR72 planes use propellers powered by gas turbine engines instead of jet engines. They also fly at lower altitudes and not as fast as jet-engine aircraft.

This would mean longer flight times and an increased risk of passengers experiencing turbulence, according to Metro.

The same publication reports that a journey which currently takes an hour and a half will take just over two hours, some 40 minutes longer.

Website Head for Points first reported the change. It said Emerald Airlines will operate flights for BA between Glasgow and London Gatwick over the summer.

Rob Burgess, who founded the site, said overhead luggage space will be reduced as a result of the change so there's a chance passengers will have to check in hand baggage.

He added: "There is also, apparently, a weight restriction on the total amount of checked baggage that can be carried, which could be an issue as many passengers will connect to long haul leisure routes."

Mr Burgess said that regardless of the class you are booked in, the change in operator means BA "should be happy" to move those who want to go to a Heathrow service or offer a refund.

Typical pricing referenced by Head for Points shows an economy seat from Glasgow to Gatwick with BA costing £264, with a non-stop flight time of 130 minutes.

This compares to £70 for the same class from Glasgow to London Heathrow and a journey time of just over 90 minutes.

In comments left on the site, one reader said: "[I] love these aircraft. I don’t get all the complaints people about them. Decent sized cabin, 2+2 seating, hand baggage controls mean the usual boarding shambles is avoided."

Another reader posted: "Nothing wrong with these at all for an hour long flight. First world blubbering."

A third wrote: "I travel regularly on the Aer Lingus Regional ATR72 between Dublin and Glasgow. They are modern, quiet and comfortable, but the seating is a bit tight and the overhead bins small."

British Airways has been approached for comment.