Cheap flights from London to New York
The classic transatlantic trip: about eight hours west, with a choice of JFK or Newark on arrival.
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London to New York is one of the busiest long-haul routes in the world, with many nonstop departures a day, most of them from Heathrow. Flights heading west take about eight hours and usually land in the afternoon or early evening, which, with New York five hours behind London, makes it easier to stay awake until a sensible bedtime. The return is shorter, at about seven hours, and is mostly overnight, landing in London the following morning.
You can land at JFK in Queens or Newark Liberty in New Jersey, and both have rail links to Manhattan, so choose by fare, schedule and where you are staying. Fares on this route vary more by date than by airline: school holidays, Easter and the pre-Christmas shopping season fill up early, while January and February are often quieter. Check what your fare includes too, as basic economy tickets may exclude a checked bag or seat selection.
Route facts
- Flight time
- About 8 hours (about 7 hours on the way back)
- Distance
- 5,540 km (3,440 miles)
- Departure airports
- Heathrow (most nonstop flights), Gatwick
- Arrival airports
- New York JFK (JFK), Newark Liberty (EWR)
- Airlines
- Typically served nonstop by British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines, Delta, United and JetBlue
When fares to New York are highest
- Lower demand
- Shoulder
- Peak – book early
Peaks and cheaper windowsFares peak in the summer holidays and from late November to Christmas, when shopping trips fill flights, with smaller rises at Easter and half-terms. January to early March, outside the February half-term, is usually the cheapest window.
Based on typical seasonal demand and fares, not live prices. Run a search to see current prices for your dates.
Tips for cheaper London–New York flights
- Price JFK and Newark together: Newark has a rail link to Penn Station in Midtown via its AirTrain and NJ Transit, and can be the simpler choice if you are staying on the west side of Manhattan.
- Apply for your ESTA as soon as you book, and only through the official US government website, as copycat sites charge extra; airlines will not let you board without an approved authorisation.
- For pre-Christmas shopping trips, book early: late November and December weekends are among the busiest times on the route, and fares for those dates rarely fall close to departure.
- On the way home, compare an overnight flight with a daytime departure from New York where one is available; it lands late in the evening in London and can be easier on your body clock than a short night in economy.
London to New York flights: questions and answers
How long is the flight from London to New York?
About eight hours heading west and about seven hours on the way back, when prevailing winds help. New York is five hours behind London for most of the year; for a few weeks in March and around late October the gap is four hours, because the US and UK change their clocks on different dates.
Is it better to fly into JFK or Newark?
Both work well. From JFK, the AirTrain links to the subway at Howard Beach or Jamaica, and to Long Island Rail Road trains at Jamaica for a quicker ride to Penn Station or Grand Central. From Newark, the AirTrain connects to NJ Transit and Amtrak trains to Penn Station. Choose by fare, timing and where you are staying.
Do I need an ESTA to fly from London to New York?
British citizens visiting the US for tourism or business under the Visa Waiver Program need an approved ESTA before travel. Apply through the official US government website well before departure; approval is often quick but can take up to 72 hours. An ESTA is normally valid for two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
When is the cheapest time to fly to New York?
Usually January to early March, avoiding the February half-term, plus early November. Fares climb in the summer holidays, at Easter and through December. Flying midweek rather than on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday can also make a difference, especially on the outbound leg, and booking well ahead matters most for school-holiday dates.
Can I take a daytime flight back to London?
Most flights from New York to London leave in the evening and land the next morning. A small number leave New York in the morning and arrive in London late in the evening, which avoids a night with little sleep. Schedules change by season, so check departure times carefully when you compare fares.
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