- Mr Plane Guy
- 17 hours ago
- 5 min read
Air Tanzania Plans Direct London Gatwick to Zanzibar Flights
Could Zanzibar Finally Become Easier From the UK?
By Mr Plane Guy, Plane Honest Travel & Loyalty Insights
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Zanzibar has quietly become one of the hottest luxury-for-less destinations in the world right now.
White sand beaches. Turquoise water. Rooftop cocktails in Stone Town. Luxury resorts that somehow still cost less than many European beach holidays. But getting there from the UK? Honestly… it’s never been particularly easy. On my own trip to Zanzibar, I flew Qatar Airways via Doha, you can read my full Qatar Airways Zanzibar flight review here.
That could finally be changing.
Air Tanzania has announced plans to launch direct flights from London Gatwick to both Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar from July 2027, potentially making Zanzibar far easier to reach from the UK for the very first time.
And if this actually happens? It could completely change travel to one of Africa’s most beautiful island destinations.
Direct London Gatwick to Zanzibar Flights Could Launch in 2027
Air Tanzania says it plans to operate at least three weekly flights from Gatwick to Tanzania, targeting both tourists and business travellers.
The proposed route would include:
London Gatwick to Kilimanjaro
London Gatwick to Zanzibar
The airline is also planning a major fleet expansion over the next five years, adding eight new aircraft as it looks to grow internationally.
For UK travellers, this is genuinely exciting news.
Because right now, most flights to Zanzibar involve:
Doha
Istanbul
Dubai
Addis Ababa
Nairobi
And while many of those airlines are excellent… connections can be long, expensive or awkward depending on schedules.
My Flight to Zanzibar Included a Doha Connection
When I visited Zanzibar, I flew with Qatar Airways via Doha.
The onboard experience was fantastic… but arriving into Zanzibar Airport itself was slightly chaotic after a long journey.
A direct flight from London would massively simplify the journey, especially for:
honeymoon travellers
winter sun escapes
luxury beach holidays
safari and Zanzibar combo trips
Zanzibar Is Suddenly Having a HUGE Travel Moment
This Air Tanzania announcement comes just as Zanzibar is becoming easier to reach from other major cities too.
Airlink has already announced the first-ever direct Cape Town to Zanzibar flights launching in October 2026. And honestly? That route sounds incredibly smart.
Cape Town and Zanzibar together could become one of the BEST luxury multi-centre trips for travellers wanting:
safari
beaches
wine
city breaks
winter sun
luxury for less
Even better, the new Airlink route avoids the brutal middle-of-the-night departure times that East African routes often suffer from.
The airline will use brand-new Embraer E195-E2 aircraft with:
2-2 seating
no middle seats
business class cabin
flight times around 5–6 hours
Meanwhile, Virgin Atlantic is also increasing flights between London Heathrow and Cape Town for the 2026/27 season.
And if you’re considering that route, check out my full Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy review, which is still one of my favourite ways to cross the Atlantic and long-haul comfortably without paying full Upper Class prices.
Is Zanzibar Actually Worth Visiting?
Absolutely.
And honestly? Zanzibar surprised me.
Most people picture it as simply a beach destination… but there’s far more to it than that.
You’ve got:
the historic streets of Stone Town
spice farms
rooftop bars
luxury beachfront resorts
sea turtle experiences
hidden sandbanks
incredible seafood
warm Indian Ocean water year-round
It’s one of those destinations that somehow feels adventurous and luxurious at the same time.
Some of my favourite Zanzibar experiences included:
swimming with sea turtles
exploring Stone Town
visiting Nakupenda Sandbank
staying in beachfront resorts in Nungwi
If you’re planning a trip, I’d also recommend checking out:
The Reality Check Nobody Talks About
Now for the Plane Honest part.
Zanzibar isn’t always as cheap as Instagram makes it look.
There can be:
visa costs
mandatory insurance fees
expensive transfers
long travel days
airport queues
unpredictable arrival processes
And depending on the season, premium resorts can become VERY expensive.
But compared to many Caribbean or Maldives trips? Zanzibar can still offer surprisingly good value, especially if you plan carefully.
Why These New Flights Matter
If Air Tanzania successfully launches direct Gatwick flights, Zanzibar could suddenly become:
easier
quicker
That’s especially important as more travellers look for:
winter sun beyond Europe
affordable luxury
unique honeymoon destinations
safari and beach combinations
long-haul destinations that still feel relatively undiscovered
And honestly?
After visiting Zanzibar myself… I completely understand why demand is growing so quickly.
Final Boarding Call
Zanzibar feels like one of those destinations that’s right on the edge of becoming HUGE.
The beaches are stunning. The hotels can be incredible value. And the mix of culture, luxury and adventure is difficult to beat.
If direct Gatwick flights really do launch, getting there from the UK could finally become dramatically easier.
And I suspect a LOT more British travellers are about to discover why Zanzibar has become one of my favourite long-haul escapes.
Plane Related Zanzibar Guides
Hello, I’m Paul a professional jet-setter and all-around plane travel pro. After 15 years working in and around planes, I became a flight delay expert at a London Airport and mastered plane travel hacks, a PLANE flight expert with BIG travel plans but small carry-on.
Now, I share PLANE travel news, tips, reviews, and deals with honesty, humour, and zero baggage! Thanks for reading Air Tanzania Plans Direct London Gatwick to Zanzibar Flights.
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