Planning a trip to London from the US, Canada, Australia, or other European hubs? Whether it’s your first time crossing the pond or a return visit, it’s natural to wonder about the details.

• What airlines fly to London, England?

• Which is the best airline to fly to London?

• What’s the cheapest time to fly to London? 

• Full-service or budget airlines to London — which should you choose? 

• Is there really a cheapest day to fly to London each week? 

We’ve gathered the most common questions travelers ask and answered them with straightforward advice to help you book smarter and travel easier.

1. How can I fly to London from my country?

London is one of the best-connected cities in the world, with nonstop flights arriving daily from all corners of the globe. The US is by far the largest market, with dozens of daily departures from New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and beyond.

Across Europe, hubs like Paris, Frankfurt, and Dublin send frequent flights into Heathrow and Gatwick, while low-cost carriers funnel passengers into Stansted, Luton, and London City. Spain and Ireland remain especially strong contributors, thanks to multiple short-haul services every day.

Further afield, Canada links into London via Toronto and Montreal, while Australia’s long-haul routes pass through Dubai, Singapore, or Doha before touching down. In short, wherever you’re flying from, London is rarely more than one connection away.

Smart Flight Tip: Don’t overlook stopover programs offered by some airlines. Icelandair lets you pause in Reykjavík, Aer Lingus in Dublin, and TAP Portugal in Lisbon — all without raising the fare. It’s an easy way to see two places for the price of one.

2. What are the best airlines to London?

With so much coverage, travelers are spoiled for choice. But some airlines clearly deliver more comfort, speed, or value than others. That’s where the next question comes in: what are the best airlines to London? The best choice depends on where you’re starting from — and what matters most: nonstop speed, low fares, or a balance of comfort and value.

From the US

• East Coast: British Airways and Virgin Atlantic shine on the New York–London route, with nonstop flights almost hourly. United holds Newark strong, while Delta and American compete across JFK, Boston, and Philadelphia.

• Midwest: American and United cover Chicago well, while Icelandair offers solid value with a Reykjavík stopover.

• West Coast: British Airways, Virgin, and American operate long nonstops from Los Angeles and San Francisco. Norse Atlantic into Gatwick is the sharpest budget play.

From France

Air France and British Airways dominate the Paris–London corridor with frequency and reliability. For no-frills fares, easyJet covers multiple routes into Gatwick and Luton.

From Germany

Lufthansa leads for full-service connections from Frankfurt and Munich, matched closely by British Airways. Eurowings, Ryanair, and easyJet fill the budget end, often flying into Stansted.

From Ireland

Aer Lingus is the most dependable choice from Dublin, Cork, and Shannon. Ryanair, meanwhile, provides dense coverage into Stansted, Gatwick, and Luton.

From Spain

Iberia and British Airways keep Madrid and Barcelona well linked to Heathrow. Vueling, Ryanair, and easyJet maintain high-frequency, low-cost service into secondary airports.

Other key markets

KLM connects Amsterdam with Heathrow, while ITA Airways and BA link Rome and Milan. From Warsaw, LOT competes with Wizz Air for budget-friendly seats. Long-haul travelers from Canada are well served by Air Canada, WestJet, and Air Transat. From Australia, Qantas and Singapore Airlines offer premium service, while Emirates via Dubai is a popular one-stop option.

Full-service or budget airlines to London — which should I choose?

For long flights, full-service carriers such as British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and Lufthansa usually strike the best balance — meals, entertainment, and cabin bags included. Budget carriers like Ryanair, easyJet, PLAY, or Norse Atlantic can deliver rock-bottom base fares, but extras add up quickly. Many travelers opt for full-service across the Atlantic and budget within Europe.

Smart Flight Tip: Don’t assume Virgin Atlantic is always pricier than British Airways or vice versa. But BA has recently undercut Virgin on some nonstop US–London routes, thanks to lower operating costs. Always compare both before you book — the fare difference can be surprising.

3. How long are flights to London?

Flight times to London depend on where you’re starting from — and whether you’re flying nonstop. The times below are for direct flights only, without any stopovers.

• From the US: The quickest US route is Boston to London, clocking in at about 6 hours 30 minutes. From New York, expect roughly 7 hours. On the other end of the scale, nonstop flights from Los Angeles take closer to 10 hours 45 minutes.

• From France: Paris to London is a quick hop — about 1 hour 15 minutes in the air.

• From Germany: Flights from Frankfurt or Munich usually run around 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours.

• From Ireland: Dublin to London is one of the shortest, at just 1 hour 15 minutes.

• From Spain: Flights from Madrid or Barcelona take roughly 2 hours 30 minutes.

• From Canada: Toronto and Montreal both sit in the 6–7 hour range.

• From Australia: No nonstops exist yet. With at least one stop — usually in Dubai, Singapore, or Doha — travel time stretches to 22–24 hours.

4. Which London airport to fly into?

London has five international airports. The best choice often depends on where you’re flying from — and where you need to be once you arrive.

• Heathrow (LHR): The main hub, and the one you’ll use if you’re flying nonstop from most US, Canadian, and long-haul destinations. It’s closest to West London and well connected by the Heathrow Express into Paddington. Fares are often a bit higher, but for convenience, Heathrow is hard to beat.

• Gatwick (LGW): A strong second option, especially for travelers from the US on airlines like Norse Atlantic or from European hubs on easyJet. It’s south of the city, with fast trains to Victoria Station. Budget-savvy travelers often find better deals here than at Heathrow.

• Stansted (STN) and Luton (LTN): These two are the domain of low-cost carriers like Ryanair, Wizz Air, and easyJet. If you’re coming from Spain, Poland, or Eastern Europe, chances are you’ll land here. Both airports sit outside the city, so factor in longer transfers and extra train or bus costs when comparing fares.

• London City (LCY): Tiny, central, and business-focused, City Airport is perfect if you’re coming from nearby European hubs such as Frankfurt or Dublin. Fares are usually higher, but it’s by far the quickest airport for getting straight into central London.

5. Why are flights to London so expensive?

London’s high fares aren’t just about distance. Heathrow is one of the world’s most slot-restricted airports, and airlines pay heavily to operate there — costs that show up in ticket prices. Add in the UK’s steep air passenger duty tax and strong demand on lucrative routes like New York–London, and fares often climb higher than for other European cities.

Partnerships between major players such as British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and their US allies also keep competition tight, which limits how far prices can drop. That said, timing and strategy can make a big difference. So when exactly are flights to London cheapest — and how can you find them? Let’s take a closer look.

6. When are flights to London cheapest?

If you’re looking for the lowest fares, aim for January and February. Airlines often discount tickets heavily in these months — sometimes even selling seats at a loss — just to keep planes full. Michael O’Leary, CEO of Ryanair, has openly confirmed that the first two months of the year are the best time to book cheap flights to London. Prices also tend to dip in the weeks just before peak school holidays, when demand is softer.

On the flip side, July and early August are usually the most expensive times to fly, thanks to school breaks and summer tourism. These patterns are consistent across carriers and have been backed by independent travel data. Ovago, a budget-flight booking service, has also researched the best times to book and travel to the UK. Their study covers this and other destinations worth exploring too, offering insights that can help you plan smarter.

Smart Flight Tip: Ovago’s research shows there’s no single “magic day” to book the cheapest flight. Fares rise and fall like a rollercoaster — shifting with demand, sales, or sudden price wars. The smartest move? Check often, keep your dates flexible, and you’ll be ready to grab a deal the moment it appears.

7. How can I find cheap flights to London?

Finding a good deal isn’t just about luck — it’s about using the right tools and knowing where airlines quietly release value. Start with flexible search calendars on sites like Google Flights or Skyscanner. Instead of searching by single dates, scan entire months to spot fare dips that don’t always appear in day-to-day searches. Mixing and matching airlines can also save money: it’s not unusual to fly one carrier into Heathrow and return on another from Gatwick for less than a round-trip.

Platforms like Ovago, which specialize in budget-friendly international tickets, often unlock inventory or bundled fares that meta-search engines miss. Pair this with airline sales and loyalty programs. British Airways and Virgin Atlantic run seasonal promotions, and reward calendars often open extra space during off-peak months. Combining points, vouchers, or last-minute upgrade bids can stretch your budget further without sacrificing comfort.

London is one of the world’s most connected cities, and with a bit of planning you can find flights that suit both your budget and schedule. We hope these answers make booking easier — and leave you with more time (and pounds) to enjoy the sights once you arrive. And when you’re ready to explore, See the Sights offers guided tours and experiences to help you make the most of your London adventure.

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