The non-stop route will be served by the long-range Boeing 777-200ER in a four cabin set up, BA will also be the first carrier to offer premium economy seating on the London–Seoul route.

The new service will put BA in direct competition with SkyTeam rival Korean Air which operates a daily Boeing 747 on the same route and launched a new three times weekly B777 service from Gatwick on April 28 this year.

“We are tremendously excited about starting direct services to Korea and playing a role in developing closer links between the Korean and UK economies,” said Kevin McQuillan, British Airways regional general manager, East Asia. “Seoul is an important market for both tourism and business and is the biggest origin and destination market in East Asia that we do not currently fly to.”