How to Find the Cheapest Flights to London

A trip to London is always a brilliant idea. But let's be honest, getting there can sometimes feel a bit pricey. Navigating the world of airfare can feel like a complicated game, with prices that seem to change by the minute. Here at seethesightstours.com, we believe that exploring London shouldn't cost a fortune. That's why we've put together this comprehensive guide on how to find the cheapest flights to London, so you can save your pounds for pints and plays.

Smart booking factors for the cheapest flights to London

1. Travel dates & seasonality

Timing is everything when hunting for the cheapest flights to London. Generally, flying off-peak – outside major holidays and summer – will save you a bundle. For instance, it seems that November is an ideal month, with average round-trip fares about 11% lower than the yearly norm. January and February are also known for rock-bottom prices, as travel demand dips after the holidays. In contrast, July (peak summer tourist season) sees fares skyrocket – often the priciest time to fly.

Day of the week matters too. Mid-week flights (Tuesday or Wednesday) tend to be cheaper, while Fridays and Sundays are typically the most expensive days to travel. If you can be flexible with your schedule, depart mid-week and avoid weekend returns to shave pounds off your ticket price.

2. Departure & arrival airports

Cast a wider net at both ends. On the US side, compare your home airport against a nearby hub (e.g., Newark as well as JFK; Oakland as well as SFO) – competition at big hubs can shave $ off the fare. In London, Heathrow (LHR) gets the lion’s share of US flights, but Gatwick (LGW), Stansted (STN), and Luton (LTN) often host low-cost or connecting options that can come in cheaper on certain dates. When searching, use a “London (Any)” query and enable nearby airports to see the full picture. Also, set a Price Alert to avoid missing drops.

3. Flexible search tools

Let the tools do the heavy lifting. Use Google Flights’ Whole-Month view to scan an entire calendar for the lowest dates, then set price alerts so you’re pinged the moment fares drop. In parallel, compare trusted agencies for extra inventory and package rates — Ovago offers affordable flights to London, which can reveal fares and flexible options that don’t always appear on meta-search. Finally, toggle “London (Any)” and nearby airports to see LHR, LGW, STN, and LTN in one sweep.

4. Stopovers vs direct flights

Nonstops are faster but usually pricier. A strategic one-stop can trim hundreds: connect via Reykjavík (KEF), Dublin (DUB), or Lisbon (LIS) and you may score a lower base fare plus a bonus mini-break. Icelandair and TAP even market no-extra-airfare stopovers (Iceland up to ~7 days; Portugal up to 10 days) so you can see two places for roughly the price of one — ideal for value-seekers.

5. Fare classes & upgrades

Don’t overlook Premium Economy sales — on some dates they price only a little higher than standard economy, and 2025 data shows the premium–economy price gap has narrowed ~10% vs 2019. If you’d like a nicer seat without paying business-class cash, watch for upgrade-bidding invitations (many airlines use auction systems) – Virgin Atlantic’s Your Bid is a good example — or last-minute fixed-price upgrades at check-in.

6. Loyalty programmes & points

London is a prime target for points redemptions and companion vouchers. British Airways’ Travel Together Ticket (from the BA Visa/Avios ecosystem) can halve the Avios needed when travelling solo or bringing a companion on the same reward itinerary (taxes/fees still apply). Virgin Atlantic credit-card vouchers can fund companion seats or cabin upgrades on Virgin-operated flights. If you’ve got points, check off-peak calendars — London reward space often opens far in advance and again close-in.

Airlines to watch for the cheapest flights to London

If you’re chasing the cheapest flights to London, keep these two quick rules in mind before you dive in: always compare the total trip cost (fare + bags + seats + meals), and set price alerts so you catch flash sales the moment they drop. A smart tactic is to check “London (Any)” so you see fares into LHR/LGW/STN/LTN side-by-side.

Budget & low-cost carriers
 These usually post the lowest base fares but charge for extras (bags, seat selection, meals). Great if you can travel light.

  • Norse Atlantic Airways — JFK/LAX/MIA/ORL → LGW. Frequent flash sales, sometimes under $400, return in off-peak. Basic fares are bare-bones; add bags online in advance to keep costs down.

  • PLAY Airlines — NYC (SWF/JFK), BOS, BWI → STN via Reykjavík (KEF). Often very sharp prices and ideal if you fancy an Iceland stopover. Watch carry-on rules; they’re stricter than legacy carriers.

  • French Bee — SFO/LAX → LGW via Paris Orly (ORY). Can undercut West Coast competitors; factor in the ORY transfer time and any baggage fees.

  • Icelandair — Multiple US cities → LHR/LGW via KEF. Not ultra-low-cost, but reliably good value with free Iceland stopovers and a more generous cabin experience than most budget rivals.

Full-service airlines with frequent sales
 More inclusions (meals, entertainment, often a cabin bag) and regular promos—especially off-peak.

  • British Airways — Wide US coverage → LHR/LGW. Watch for sales and companion offers; BA’s network gives you the most timing options into Heathrow.

  • Virgin Atlantic — Major US hubs → LHR. Often undercuts BA during sales; slick product and solid schedule from the East Coast.

  • American Airlines — Oneworld partner with BA. Codeshares can unlock cheaper inventory on the same flights; worth cross-checking AA vs BA sites.

  • United Airlines — Strong on EWR/ORD to LHR. Competes hard on New York and Chicago routes; match-price sales pop up regularly.

  • Delta Air Lines — JFK/BOS/ATL/DTW/MSP → LHR. Frequently matches Virgin Atlantic promos and can price well mid-week.

Sample Affordable US–London Itineraries

To put things into perspective, here are a few sample itineraries that illustrate how you might piece together affordable trips:

  • New York to London: Travellers in New York can find a round-trip from JFK to London Heathrow in mid-November for $420 on a legacy carrier (say, Virgin Atlantic) during a fall sale. This itinerary is non-stop, making it extremely convenient and cheap for the route.

  • Los Angeles to London, Budget Airline Combo: From the West Coast, flyers can spot a one-way fare from LAX to London Gatwick for $180 on Norse Atlantic’s basic economy. For the return leg, they can find a $220 fare from London back to Los Angeles on a different airline (maybe a connecting flight via NYC on a US carrier).

  • Chicago to London via Dublin: Travelers from Chicago find that direct flights to London are a bit steep, so they can book an Aer Lingus flight from Chicago to London with a stop in Dublin. The ticket costs $450 round-trip for travel in early May (shoulder season). As a bonus, they can take a day’s stopover in Dublin at no extra airfare cost (many airlines allow a free stopover – a mini two-for-one trip!). This itinerary shows how indirect routes can unlock cheap fares and extra experiences.

By exploring options like these, travellers from the US can consistently find some of the cheapest flights to London. It just takes flexibility and the right resources.

Budget Flights from Other Regions (e.g. Sydney to London)

While this guide is focused on US departures, it’s worth noting that finding cheap flights to London is a global game. Let’s look at one example further afield: Sydney, Australia. The distance from Sydney to London is enormous – literally halfway around the globe – so fares will naturally be higher on average than US–London flights. However, even here, there are ways to save.

The cheapest flights to London from Sydney typically involve at least one connection (no non-stop flights cover this route yet) and often a bit of creativity. Major stopover hubs for Australia–London routes include Asia (Singapore, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur) or the Middle East (Dubai, Doha). 

To find a bargain, travelers can compare different routings – for instance, flying via China can sometimes be very cost-effective – China Southern (around $846) and Air China (around $861). These involve connecting in Guangzhou or Beijing, which adds travel time but cuts the ticket price.

A Sydney resident could also find a $900 round-trip deal for November by flying Sydney → Kuala Lumpur (on AirAsia), then KL → London (on Malaysia Airlines) on a single ticket. 

Alternatively, they might fly from Sydney to Singapore on Qantas, enjoy a stopover, then snag a separate budget flight from Singapore to London on Scoot or a similar airline. The total might come out a few hundred dollars less than a through-ticket on Qantas or British Airways. The key to such long routes is to check various airlines and consider less direct paths.

With these strategies, you’ll be well on your way to uncovering the cheapest flights to London available. A little flexibility and research go a long way – and the payoff is more pounds sterling in your pocket to see the sights (perhaps literally, with a London sightseeing tour!) and enjoy your trip. London’s calling – and now you can answer without emptying your bank account. Happy travels!

This article has been provided by our friends at Ovago - https://ovago.com