Cheap Flights from the US to London Heathrow (LHR)

Why Heathrow is the default, and when it is not

Heathrow is the airport most Americans picture when they think of flying to London, and for good reason. It has the most nonstop services from the United States, the best onward connections across Europe and an Underground and rail link that takes you into the city in under an hour.

It is also the most expensive London airport to fly into, because of airport charges and a heavy tax load. Gatwick, and to a lesser degree other London airports, can have cheaper fares, particularly on budget-focused carriers. Check both, and add up the cost and time of getting into the city before you decide. Our broader guide to cheap flights to London from the US compares the whole picture.

Which US cities fly nonstop to Heathrow

Nonstop services run from New York (both JFK and Newark), Boston, Washington Dulles, Philadelphia, Charlotte, Atlanta, Miami, Orlando, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Las Vegas, Phoenix and several other cities, with the exact list changing by season.

If you live near one of those, the nonstop is almost always the better choice for a seven-to-eleven-hour flight. If not, a connection in a hub such as Chicago, Atlanta or Dallas can be cheaper, but it adds time and a second chance of delay. Check both before deciding.

The five airlines and their partners

British Airways and American Airlines work together under a joint business, as do Delta and Virgin Atlantic, and United flies alone under the Star Alliance umbrella. JetBlue has added transatlantic routes from New York and Boston to London, which has put pressure on prices.

The practical result is that a ticket sold by one airline can be operated by another, and fares on the same flight can differ by hundreds of dollars between sellers. Our guide to codeshare flights explains how this works, and the pages on British Airways, Delta, United and American cover each carrier.

Heathrow's terminals

Terminals matter, because Heathrow is large and moving between them takes time. British Airways uses Terminal 5, United and its Star Alliance partners use Terminal 2, and American, Delta and Virgin Atlantic operate from Terminal 3. Other airlines are spread across the terminals, so check your own.

If you are connecting between airlines, allow extra time and check whether you need to change terminals. If you are meeting someone, agree the terminal before you land, since the arrival halls are far apart. Our Heathrow airport guide explains the layout and transport.

Flight times and the overnight effect

Most flights from the US to London depart in the evening and land the next morning. New York to London takes about seven hours, Boston a little less, Chicago around eight, Atlanta and Miami around eight and a half, and the West Coast ten to eleven. Coming back, flights are longer, because of the headwinds.

You lose five hours on the way to the UK from the East Coast, and eight from the West Coast, and you land at a time when hotel rooms are rarely ready. Plan for a light first day, daylight and an early night, and leave a bag drop or luggage storage option open.

The cheapest months to fly

January to March, excluding school holidays, is the cheapest period, followed by November, before the Christmas rush. You will find the best fares on midweek departures, and Tuesday and Wednesday flights are often the lowest.

Summer is the most expensive time, with peak fares in June, July and August, and events such as Wimbledon and the Christmas and New Year weeks push up prices too. Spring and autumn offer a good balance of weather and cost, and April, May, September and October are popular with seasoned travelers.

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When to book London flights

For summer, book four to six months ahead if you can, since the best fares disappear early. For the rest of the year, two to three months is usually enough, and sales can appear at almost any time.

Set a price alert and watch your route for a couple of weeks. Our guides to tracking fare drops and how far in advance to book international flights explain how, and the best time to book flights in 2026 sets out the wider picture.

UK entry rules for Americans

US citizens need an Electronic Travel Authorisation, called the UK ETA, to visit the UK for up to six months as a tourist. You apply online or through the official app before you fly, pay a small fee, and the approval usually lasts two years for multiple entries. Apply a few days before you book non-refundable plans.

Use only the official UK government channels, because look-alike sites charge extra fees. Your passport should be valid for the length of your stay. Rules change, so check the UK government website a few weeks before your trip.

Using London as a base for the rest of Europe

Many Americans fly into Heathrow and use London as a springboard. The Eurostar from St Pancras reaches Paris in around two and a quarter hours and Brussels and Amsterdam are also within a few hours, often cheaper than flying and city centre to city centre.

If you plan to add a second country, price the Eurostar early, since the cheapest tickets sell out. Budget airlines also connect London to dozens of European cities, but watch bag fees and the distance of the airports. A well-planned open-jaw ticket can save a day of backtracking and the cost of an extra transatlantic leg.

Premium cabins across the Atlantic

Premium economy offers a good middle ground, with more space and better service for a modest premium over economy. Business class, such as British Airways Club World, Virgin Atlantic Upper Class and the Delta, United and American business cabins, offers a lie-flat bed that makes an overnight flight far more comfortable.

Business fares fluctuate a lot, and sales appear regularly, particularly in winter. Our guide to business class versus premium economy helps you decide, and our business class routes pages show what is available.

Gatwick and other London airports

Gatwick has several US routes, including some from airlines that do not fly to Heathrow, and fares can be lower. The Gatwick Express and Thameslink trains take you into central London in about 30 to 40 minutes, so the saving may be worth it.

Stansted and Luton are mainly European hubs, but occasional transatlantic services appear. Compare the total cost, including transport, when looking at an alternative, and check the arrival time, since late-night arrivals at distant airports can leave you with expensive taxis.

Getting from Heathrow to the city

The Elizabeth line is the best value fast option, taking you to Paddington in about 30 minutes and on to the City in under an hour. The Heathrow Express is quicker to Paddington but costs more. The Piccadilly line on the Underground is the cheapest and runs directly through central London, though it is slower.

Taxis are metered and can be expensive, particularly in traffic. For a first visit, the Elizabeth line is a good default. Use contactless payment on any of them, and avoid unlicensed drivers who approach you in the arrivals hall.

Open-jaw and stopover ideas

Flying into London and home from Edinburgh, Dublin or Paris is a good way to see more without backtracking, and open-jaw fares often cost about the same as a return. Our guide to multi-city versus round-trip tickets shows how to compare.

Stopovers can also reduce the cost. Icelandair has long allowed a stop in Iceland on the way to Europe, and Aer Lingus connects through Dublin, where you complete US immigration before you fly home. Our stopover strategy guide explains how.

What a first long weekend in London looks like

A first visit usually covers the Tower of London and Tower Bridge, Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament, a museum, such as the British Museum or the Natural History Museum, which are free, and an evening in the West End. Leave time to simply walk, since London's neighborhoods are its best sights.

Book popular attractions ahead, particularly the Tower of London and any theater tickets, and use an Oyster or contactless card for transport. Four nights is a comfortable minimum after an overnight flight, and a week allows day trips to Windsor, Oxford or Bath.

Bags and fares

Standard economy fares on long-haul flights usually include a checked bag, but basic fares may not, so check before you buy. Basic economy tickets on the big carriers are cheap but restrictive, with no changes and sometimes no advance seat selection.

If you are going for more than a week, the standard fare is often better value once you add a bag. Our comparison of basic and standard economy explains the differences.

Jet lag and the first day

The first day in London is the hardest, and most travelers feel it. Try to stay up until local evening, get outside in daylight and avoid heavy meals and alcohol in the first hours.

Our guide to long-haul flight comfort and jet lag offers practical tips. Booking a room from the night before, or a hotel with early check-in, can make the first morning far easier.

Money, phones and getting around

The pound sterling is the currency, and cards are accepted almost everywhere, including contactless payments on public transport. Carry a little cash for small purchases, and use a card without foreign transaction fees.

For phones, check your plan's roaming, or use a local eSIM for cheaper data. London's Oyster and contactless payments work on the Tube, buses and trains, with daily caps that keep costs predictable.

Delays at Heathrow and how to plan around them

Heathrow runs close to capacity, which means any disruption, such as fog, strong wind or a technical problem, can ripple through the day. Early morning departures and arrivals are usually more reliable than late ones.

If you are connecting onward, allow at least two and a half hours between flights, and more if you change terminals. Keep your boarding passes and use the airline app for rebooking. Our guide to tight layovers explains how to judge a connection.

Mistakes first-time visitors make

The common mistakes are forgetting the ETA, booking a flight that arrives in the middle of the night, underestimating how long it takes to get into the city, and trying to fit too much into a short trip.

Less obvious ones include renting a car for a London-only trip, assuming that all airlines use the same terminal, and forgetting that the clocks change on different dates in the US and UK, which can affect your arrival times for a couple of weeks each spring and autumn.

How we can help

Tell us your home airport, dates and whether Gatwick is an option, and a specialist can compare nonstops, joint-venture fares and one-stop options. We can also check open-jaw fares if you want to see more of the UK.

Start with the live search below and compare a handful of dates before deciding. Spotted a good fare? We can check the small print on bags and changes for you before you commit.

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Good to know

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions travelers ask before booking.

How long is the flight from the US to London Heathrow?

About seven hours from New York, eight from Chicago, eight and a half from Atlanta and Miami, and ten to eleven from the West Coast. The return flights are longer.

Which US cities have nonstop flights to Heathrow?

New York, Boston, Washington, Philadelphia, Charlotte, Atlanta, Miami, Orlando, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle and several others, with the list changing by season.

When is the cheapest time to fly to London?

January to March, excluding school holidays, and November are usually cheapest. June to August and the Christmas weeks are the most expensive.

Do Americans need a visa for the UK?

They need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for visits up to six months. Apply through the official UK government website or app before you travel.

Is Gatwick cheaper than Heathrow?

Sometimes. Gatwick has several US routes and can offer lower fares, but you should add the cost and time of getting into London.

Which Heathrow terminal will I use?

British Airways uses Terminal 5, United and its partners use Terminal 2, and American, Delta and Virgin Atlantic use Terminal 3, but check your airline.

What is the best way to get from Heathrow to central London?

The Elizabeth line is a fast, good-value option. The Heathrow Express is quicker but costs more, and the Piccadilly line is cheapest but slower.

Does my fare include a checked bag?

Standard economy fares on long-haul flights usually do, but basic fares may not. Check the fare conditions before buying.

How far ahead should I book London flights?

Four to six months ahead for summer, and two to three months for the rest of the year. Set a price alert to catch drops.

Can I fly into London and home from another city?

Yes. Open-jaw tickets, such as into London and out of Edinburgh, Dublin or Paris, often cost about the same as a return.

Cheap Flights from the USA to London Heathrow