Cheap flights from New York to London
About seven hours overnight from JFK or Newark, landing in London in time for breakfast.
Results open in a new tab on our partner's site. We may earn a commission if you book – it never changes your price. How we make money
Photo: Dawid Tkocz / Unsplash
- Compare in one search
- No booking fees from Save60
- Live prices on partner sites
- Free cancellation on many rates
New York to London is one of the busiest transatlantic routes, with many nonstop flights a day from JFK and Newark. Most leave in the evening and arrive the next morning after about seven hours in the air, helped by tailwinds, and London is five hours ahead of New York for most of the year. That timing suits an overnight flight: sleep on board, drop your bags at the hotel and stay up until a normal bedtime to adjust quickly.
Most flights land at Heathrow, which has the Elizabeth line, the Piccadilly line and the Heathrow Express into central London, while some use Gatwick, which has fast trains to Victoria and London Bridge. US citizens need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK, so apply well before you fly. Fares climb in summer and around the holidays, while late winter is usually the quietest and best-value time to go.
Route facts
- Flight time
- About 7 hours (about 8 hours on the way back)
- Distance
- 5,540 km (3,440 miles)
- Departure airports
- JFK, Newark
- Arrival airports
- Heathrow (LHR), Gatwick (LGW)
- Airlines
- Typically served nonstop by British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines, Delta, United and JetBlue
When fares to London are highest
- Lower demand
- Shoulder
- Peak – book early
Peaks and cheaper windowsFares peak from June to August and around Thanksgiving, Christmas and spring break. January, February and early March, plus November outside Thanksgiving week, are usually the cheapest windows, with shorter days but fewer crowds at London's sights.
Based on typical seasonal demand and fares, not live prices. Run a search to see current prices for your dates.
Tips for cheaper New York–London flights
- Apply for your UK ETA only through the official UK government app or website; it is usually quick, but allow a few working days in case your application needs extra checks.
- Compare JFK and Newark in the same search: Newark is easier from much of New Jersey and Manhattan's west side, and its fares and schedules sometimes differ noticeably from JFK's.
- UK Air Passenger Duty is added to flights leaving the UK, so if you are travelling on to Europe, compare an open-jaw ticket that returns from Paris, Amsterdam or another city with a simple return from London.
- A later evening departure from New York lands later in the morning, closer to hotel check-in time, while the earliest evening flights can arrive around dawn, leaving a long wait for your room.
New York to London flights: questions and answers
How long is the flight from New York to London?
About seven hours, sometimes less with strong tailwinds, and around eight hours on the way back. London is five hours ahead of New York for most of the year, and four hours ahead for a few weeks in March and around late October and early November, when the two countries change their clocks on different dates.
Do US citizens need an ETA to visit the UK?
Yes. US citizens need an Electronic Travel Authorisation to visit the UK for tourism, business or other short stays. Apply through the official UK government app or website before you travel. An ETA usually allows multiple visits over two years, or until your passport expires if that is sooner, so one application can cover several trips.
Is Heathrow or Gatwick better for getting into London?
Heathrow, west of London, is linked to the centre by the Heathrow Express to Paddington in about 15 minutes, the Elizabeth line and the Piccadilly line on the Underground. Gatwick, south of London, has the Gatwick Express to Victoria in about 30 minutes and Thameslink trains to London Bridge and St Pancras. Choose by fare and where you are staying.
When are flights from New York to London cheapest?
Typically from January to early March, outside Presidents' Day weekend and spring break, and in November outside Thanksgiving week. Summer is the most expensive season, along with Christmas and New Year. Midweek departures are often cheaper than Thursday to Sunday, and flexibility of a day or two helps on this busy route.
How do I pay for public transport in London?
Tap a contactless bank card or phone on the yellow readers at Underground, Elizabeth line and rail stations within London, and when boarding buses, which do not take cash. Daily and weekly caps limit what you pay. Use the same card or device for every journey so the caps apply, and check your bank's foreign transaction fees.
Other popular routes
All routes →
Cheap flights from London to Bangkok
Nonstop in under 12 hours or via a hub, to the main gateway for Thailand and South-East Asia.
Cheap flights from London to Barcelona
A two-hour hop to Gaudí, beaches and late dinners, with departures from most London airports.
Cheap flights from London to Dubai
Around seven hours to winter sun, desert trips and one of the world's busiest hub airports.
Cheap flights from London to Lisbon
Under three hours to Lisbon's hills, trams and riverfront, with no time difference to adjust to.