London to New York is the busiest transatlantic route in the world, with over 1,300 flights operating weekly and up to 27 daily departures across multiple London airports connecting to New York JFK, Newark Liberty, and LaGuardia. The route is served by some of the most competitive and well-known carriers in global aviation, keeping fares on this corridor more competitive than almost any other long-haul route. Whether you are flying for business, leisure, or to visit family, Travocart compares fares across every airline operating this route so you can find the lowest available price and book in minutes. All fares include taxes, fuel surcharges, and our service fee. No extra charges are added at checkout.

Flight Duration — London to New York

Direct flights from London to New York take approximately 7 hours 30 minutes to 8 hours, depending on the specific departure and arrival airports and the aircraft operated. Westbound flights from London to New York are typically slightly longer than the return eastbound journey due to headwinds over the Atlantic, particularly in winter months. With a tailwind, the return journey from New York to London can be as short as 6 hours 30 minutes to 7 hours.

London Airports

Flights depart from four main London airports depending on the airline and fare type.

London Heathrow (LHR) handles the largest volume of flights to New York, with multiple daily departures operated by British Airways, American Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines. It is the most convenient option for passengers travelling from central and west London, with fast Heathrow Express and Elizabeth line connections to Paddington and Bond Street respectively.

London Gatwick (LGW) is served by JetBlue and Norse Atlantic Airways with direct flights to New York JFK, and seasonally by Delta Air Lines. It is the most convenient option for passengers travelling from south London, Surrey, and Sussex, with the Gatwick Express connecting to Victoria Station.

London Stansted (STN) is used mainly by budget carriers for European routes, but Norse Atlantic also occasionally uses it for transatlantic services. It is connected to central London by the Stansted Express to Liverpool Street.

London Luton (LTN) handles a small number of transatlantic services from budget carriers and is connected to London by the Luton Airport Parkway train to St Pancras.

New York Airports

Three airports serve the New York area for incoming transatlantic flights.

John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is the primary gateway for long-haul transatlantic arrivals and handles the majority of London to New York flights. The AirTrain JFK connects to the subway and the Long Island Rail Road for onward travel into Manhattan.

Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in New Jersey is a major hub for United Airlines and handles a significant share of transatlantic flights. The AirTrain Newark and NJ Transit trains connect the airport to Penn Station in midtown Manhattan, typically in around 30 minutes.

LaGuardia Airport (LGA) is primarily used for domestic US connections rather than long-haul international arrivals. Most London flights land at JFK or Newark.

Airlines Flying London to New York

The following airlines operate direct and connecting flights on this route. Available fares and schedules vary by travel date.

British Airways
American Airlines
Virgin Atlantic
Delta Air Lines
United Airlines
JetBlue
Norse Atlantic Airways
Air France
KLM
Finnair

Tips for Booking Cheap Flights from London to New York

London to New York is one of the most competitively priced transatlantic routes in the world due to the sheer volume of competition between airlines. That said, fares fluctuate significantly based on season and booking timing.

The cheapest months to fly from London to New York are generally September, October, November, January, and February, when demand is lower than the summer and holiday peaks. July and August, the Christmas and New Year period, and the Thanksgiving week in late November are consistently the most expensive times of year on this route.

Booking approximately 40 days in advance has been shown to offer strong value on this route for most travel dates. Booking earlier than 40 days can also produce good fares, but leaving it significantly later than six weeks typically results in noticeably higher prices.

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday departures tend to offer the lowest fares on average compared to Friday and Sunday, which carry a premium due to business and leisure demand.

Consider flying from Gatwick or Stansted rather than Heathrow if your preferred airline operates from those airports. Budget carriers including Norse Atlantic and JetBlue offer fares from Gatwick that are frequently lower than the same travel dates on legacy carriers from Heathrow.

Use Travocart's pay later option to lock in your fare. Pay 50% of the total at the time of booking and settle the remaining balance up to 72 hours before your scheduled departure.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the flight from London to New York?

Direct flights from London to New York take approximately 7 hours 30 minutes to 8 hours, depending on the departure airport, arrival airport, and specific aircraft. The return journey from New York to London is typically shorter at around 6 hours 45 minutes to 7 hours 30 minutes due to favourable tailwinds on the eastbound crossing.

Which airlines fly direct from London to New York?

British Airways, American Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, JetBlue, and Norse Atlantic Airways all operate direct nonstop flights between London and New York. The busiest hub for departures is London Heathrow, with additional nonstop services from London Gatwick.

Which is the best London airport to fly from for New York?

London Heathrow offers the widest choice of airlines and the highest frequency of direct flights to New York. Gatwick is worth considering if JetBlue or Norse Atlantic's fares are lower for your specific travel dates. Your choice of departure airport should also factor in your location in London and the cost and time of getting to each airport.

What is the cheapest time of year to fly from London to New York?

The cheapest months are generally September, October, November, January, and February. Fares peak in July and August, around Christmas and New Year, and during the US Thanksgiving period in late November. Midweek departures on Tuesday and Wednesday are typically the cheapest days of the week.

Do I need a visa to visit New York from the UK?

Citizens of the UK can visit the United States without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) but must obtain approval via the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before boarding. The ESTA is applied for online and is typically approved within minutes, though applying at least 72 hours before departure is recommended. The ESTA covers stays of up to 90 days for tourism and business purposes.