Avios distance-based pricing rewards short nonstop hops

British Airways prices Avios redemptions by distance rather than by cabin-and-route zone, which means very short nonstop flights are disproportionately cheap.

A one-way economy redemption under 650 miles can price at well under 10,000 Avios plus modest carrier charges, often cheaper than a cash fare on the same route.

This works best on point-to-point hops rather than connecting itineraries, since each additional segment adds its own distance-based charge.