London to Los Angeles (LGW–LAX) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections

British passport holders enter the US under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) for up to 90 days for tourism or business. You must obtain an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) before departure. The ESTA costs $21, is valid for 2 years or until your passport expires, and allows multiple entries. Apply at esta.cbp.dhs.gov, the only official site. Most approvals come within minutes, but apply at least 72 hours before travel. The 90-day stay cannot be extended under the VWP.

Passport must be an electronic/biometric passport (all UK passports issued since 2006 qualify). You need proof of onward travel out of the US within 90 days. CBP officers at the port of entry make the final admission decision and can ask about trip purpose, accommodation, and ties to the UK. Automated passport control (APC) kiosks and Global Entry (for pre-approved travelers) speed up arrival processing. Anyone with certain criminal convictions, prior visa denials, or dual nationality with Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, or Yemen may be ineligible for the VWP and need a B-1/B-2 visa ($185) from the US Embassy in London.

Direct flights from London Heathrow to New York (JFK) run about 7 hours 30 minutes westbound. Multiple US destinations have direct service from London, Manchester, and Edinburgh. The 90-day VWP clock does not reset by visiting Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean and returning to the US; the original 90 days continues to count down. No vaccination requirements for UK arrivals. US Customs allows $800 worth of goods duty-free per person.

The Gatwick Express runs non-stop from London Victoria to the South Terminal in 30 minutes, with trains every 15 minutes (from £21.50 one-way; advance fares cheaper online). Thameslink trains from London Bridge, Blackfriars, City Thameslink, and Farringdon are slower (35–45 min) but significantly cheaper; often £10–13 on Oyster or contactless. Southern trains also serve the route.National coaches (National Express, Megabus) connect Gatwick to Victoria Coach Station for £6–15. Taxis from central London cost £70–100+ depending on traffic. Driving via M23 and A23 takes 35–60 minutes; multi-storey car parks are directly connected to both terminals by a 2-minute monorail shuttle.

LAX has no direct rail link to downtown. The closest option is the free LAX Shuttle G to the Metro C Line station at Aviation/Century Blvd (fare $1.75 to Union Station, 40–50 min). Taxis use a meter; expect $35–55 to downtown and $30–45 to Santa Monica. Ride-shares cost $20–45 depending on destination and surge pricing.Rental car facilities are a short shuttle ride from terminals. FlyAway buses run to Union Station, Van Nuys, Hollywood, and Westwood ($9.75–11.25). For LAX Connect (the new people mover to Inglewood), check if it has opened at time of travel.

Mediterranean climate. Summers are warm and dry (24–30°C) with low humidity and almost no rain. Winters are mild (10–18°C) with occasional rain from November through March. Fog ("June Gloom") is common from late May through July, blanketing mornings until noon and causing departure delays.

Santa Ana winds occur in fall and spring, sometimes grounding departures briefly. Heat waves in September–October can push temperatures above 38°C inland, though LAX itself stays cooler near the coast.