March 2026: We all know what happened in the Middle East. I had a delicious British Airways Holidays package planned to the region, as it’d been ages since I’d taken time off just to relax at a resort. However, my sleepy dreams were shattered the moment I saw the news of a missile attack in Southern Cyprus, where I was headed. My trip would have to be postponed until the end of the year.
Adjustments aside, we’d already booked annual leave and were so ready for the sunshine that we had to escape dreary London. I’m an overplanner, so every one of my trips (besides pre-organised group press tours) is always booked months in advance and thoroughly researched. Not since my 20s had I clicked on the ‘last minute’ section of a travel site and taken my bags to the airport. British Airways Holidays to the rescue! I booked a late deals flight and hotel package on British Airways, and it turned out to be better than anything I’d planned in a long, long time.
An unexpected turn: I headed to the Canary Islands for a few days of sun, beach, and spa.
Booking a late deals trip with British Airways
British Airways Late Deals at a glance
Product: British Airways Late Deals
Provider: British Airways
Type: Last-minute flight and holiday offers
Coverage: Europe, USA, and worldwide destinations
Booking Window: Short notice (typically weeks or days before departure)
What it is: British Airways Late Deals is a rolling offers page featuring discounted last-minute flights and package holidays, updated frequently with limited availability fares.
What’s included: Flight-only deals (economy, premium economy, business class), Holiday packages (flight + hotel or flight + car), Return fares with taxes and charges included (in most displayed prices)
Optional extras: Avios part payment, seat selection, upgrades
Key features:
Deals organised by month and destination for quick browsing
Includes city breaks, family holidays, and all-inclusive trips
Prices updated frequently (often every 24–48 hours)
ATOL-protected package holidays (UK customers)
Typical inclusions when flying: Cabin baggage + hand luggage and/or checked baggage (often 23kg on many fares)
Best for: Flexible travellers, spontaneous city breaks or beach trips, and last-minute luxury deals (premium cabins or resorts)
What are British Airways’ late deals?
British Airways late deals are last-minute holiday packages offered through British Airways Holidays, typically combining flights, hotels and car hire into one booking. These packages often appear when departure dates are approaching and remaining availability is discounted. The concept is simple: if you’re flexible with dates and destinations, you can secure a complete holiday, i.e. flights, accommodation, car hire and transfers, at a very competitive price.
My package included flights and a hotel in Fuerteventura, booked just one week before departure. I chose British Airways because the flights were direct from London Gatwick and, after a previous travel disaster with a low-cost airline (ahem, Ryanair), I didn’t want to take chances with our precious annual leave. With BA, there’s a level of reliability I trust, from real customer support and accurate flight schedules to the protection that comes with booking a package holiday. When your plans change suddenly, peace of mind becomes just as valuable as the destination itself.
Club Europe guests enjoy meals and refreshments on board. Since the flight was over 4 hours, this was absolutely necessary.
The delightful flight experience
Our outbound flight from London Gatwick Airport to Fuerteventura was a lovely departure time of 12:25 pm, so I could leisurely leave home after breakfast and take the Thameslink from London Bridge. Thameslink runs fast, frequent services between Gatwick Airport and St Pancras International, Farringdon, Blackfriars and London Bridge. I book direct to avoid booking fees. There’s also Gatwick Express, which runs to and from London Victoria, and booking online saves 10%, in case you’re coming from that direction. In the past, I would have tried to save money by taking a budget airline at ridiculous-o’clock, but when you factor in the cab fare and the fact that you’re self-sabotaging a whole day abroad exhausted, it makes far more economic and practical sense to go for a trusted carrier.
I have a Priority Pass, but if you’re travelling on BA’s Club Europe, you get lounge access, priority boarding, more space, more baggage, plus the VIP works on board. Even on Basic Economy, the experience is better than most budget airlines. The seats are sparkling clean.
Checking into an all-inclusive dream
For the stay, we checked into the adults-only Secrets Bahia Real Resort & Spa in Corralejo, one of the island’s more refined beachfront properties. We opted for the all-inclusive package (essential because I did NOT have time to plan dinners with one week’s notice!). The hotel’s design blends traditional Canarian architecture with elegant modern touches. Think: warm neutral tones, airy courtyards, and views of the Atlantic across the property.
Our suite was spacious and bright, with a prized balcony overlooking the ocean, plush bedding, and thoughtful details that made it feel like a proper escape. The amenities were impressive. They included multiple swimming pools (we were glad they were quiet – no poolside beats, thank goodness), direct beach access, a spa with a massive water circuit, and several restaurants and bars.
At Secrets Bahia Real Resort & Spa, my suite had postcard ocean views.
What we ate
Breakfast each morning was a highlight, with a generous buffet featuring fresh-cut exotic fruit, pastries, local cheeses, and made-to-order eggs. In terms of the all-inclusive speciality dining outlets, our favourites were their Mediterranean restaurant, Olio, and the Japanese restaurant Himitsu, which even had decent sake. It goes without saying that the fish throughout was incredibly fresh, and what we especially loved was that each outlet felt like a separate occasion, as if we had booked a standalone restaurant off-property. It took me back to last year’s glamorous Virgin Voyage.
The seafood was incredibly fresh at the hotel’s Japanese restaurant, Himitsu.
A tiny bit of holiday activity
The hotel’s location in Corralejo also makes it easy to explore the nearby dunes and the charming town centre, although after the March I’d just had, we didn’t want to leave the resort.
But of course, we did…a bit! The town centre offers plenty of restaurants and beach bars, and is within walking distance, if that’s your vibe. It wasn’t ours, but we liked going the other direction for beach walks at sunset. The rest of the two full days were spent at the resort, because why wouldn’t we hide out in a spa on holiday?
And back to reality
I didn’t want to leave by Sunday. Thankfully, the return journey was just as smooth as the outbound trip. You just have to arrive earlier at FUE airport, as it’s not quite there with LGW in terms of operations. We booked a local shared transfer from the hotel to the airport at a fair 22 euros for two people, and it was punctual and stress-free. The flight back landed at Gatwick at a nice 4:45 pm, and from there we jumped on the Thameslink into London. Our swim shorts were in the laundry by 6:30 pm.
The sun-drenched pool was ideal for lounging all afternoon long. Just the last-minute experience I needed.
Would I do another Late Deals trip?
I’m an anxious person; last-minute trips aren’t usually for people like me, but with British Airways late deals, the entire process was quick, straightforward, and refreshingly freeing. What started as a stressful cancellation turned into exactly the reset I needed, which is proof that sometimes a change of plans doesn’t have to be a catastrophe. Next time this happens, which I imagine it might (with what’s going on in the world today), I know exactly who I’m gonna call.
Tips for first-timers to a late deal
- Be flexible with destinations. The best prices often appear for places you may not have initially considered. Fuerteventura wasn’t ever high on my bucket list, but I’m so glad I went.
- Book quickly when you see a deal. Availability can disappear fast when departure dates are close.
- Check what’s included. Many packages include flights, hotels, and transfers, making the trip easier to manage, especially if you want a stress-free last-minute trip.
- If you want to treat yourself, consider upgrading your flight. For short-haul trips, options like Club Europe can significantly improve the experience.
Frequently asked questions: British Airways Late Deals
They can be cheaper, but only for specific dates, routes, and limited inventory. Prices change frequently, and availability is restricted. Most packages include: Return flights Some destinations may require local taxes payable at the hotel. Yes. The page includes both: Flight-only deals Short-haul economy: hand luggage included, checked baggage depends on fare Prices and availability are typically updated every 24–48 hours, and deals can sell out quickly. Yes. You can often reduce the cost using Avios part payment, depending on the booking. This depends on the fare type: Lower fares: often non-refundable or limited flexibility Yes. British Airways Holidays packages are ATOL protected for UK travellers. Are British Airways Late Deals cheaper than regular fares?
What is included in a BA late deal holiday package?
Hotel accommodation or car hire
Taxes, fees, and carrier charges (in most cases) Can I book flights only through Late Deals?
Flight + hotel or flight + car packages Are baggage and meals included?
Long-haul: typically includes checked baggage and meals How often are BA Late Deals updated?
Can I use Avios with Late Deals?
Are BA Late Deals refundable or flexible?
Higher fares or packages: may include more flexible terms Are BA holiday deals protected?
When is the best time to book a late deal?
Away from the busy main airport area, the Gatwick Club Lounge was a serene space to relax before boarding.
British Airways Holidays offers seven nights at the 5* Secrets Bahia Real Resort & Spa, from £1099pp, travelling on selected dates between 1st and 30th November 2026 inclusive. Includes economy return flights from LGW, one checked bag per person and accommodation with breakfast. Book by 30 April 2026. Click here to reserve.
But wait, there’s more…
- If your trip’s cancelled and you decide to stay home, at least consider upgrading to one of London’s five-star hotels
- We review Club La Santa resort in nearby Lanzarote
- Or go on a rail adventure. Here’s what it was like on the Caledonian Sleeper to Scotland
