British Airways resumes direct flights to Iran

British Airways will begin direct flights from London's Heathrow airport to Tehran from July 14, International Consolidated Airlines Group SA said on Wednesday. (Reuters)

British Airways has confirmed it is resuming direct flights from London to Iran – the first British airline to offer the service in four years.

The announcement follows last month’s international deal lifting sanctions imposed over Iran’s nuclear program.

Travelers will be able to fly direct from London Heathrow Terminal 5 to Tehran operated by Boeing Co. 777 jets in a four-class layout.

Neil Cottrell, British Airways’ head of network planning, said in a release: “Iran is a large and growing economy and Tehran is a brilliant business city so we are incredibly excited to be adding another gateway to the Middle East for our customers.”

Flights will start on July 14 and the route will launch as a six-per-week service before moving to daily flights from winter 2016.

Tehran is one of 14 new routes British Airways will be launching this year, which include San Jose, Costa Rica, San Jose, California and Lima in Peru.

Currently, no airlines flying direct from United States to Tehran.