London to New York (LHR–JFK) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
No flights match your filters.
No scheduled airline flights on this route — it's flown by charter / private operators (). No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
Most recently operated nonstop flights — the month shown is when each was last scheduled. Most destinations remain reachable with a connection.
No discontinued nonstop flights on record for this route.
LHR–JFK is served by 6 airlines with nonstop service. British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and American Airlines lead the route. The flight covers 3,442 miles in approximately 7h 50m. Beyond nonstop, 1-stop connecting options are also available.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BA British Airways Also: AS, AY, EI, IB | 91 | 777, 77W, 781, 789 | 6h37-8h05 | – | Oneworld | AS, AY, EI, IB |
| VS Virgin Atlantic Also: AF, KL, SV | 49 | 332, 339, 351, 789 | 7h18-8h09 | – | SkyTeam | AF, KL, SV |
| AA American Airlines Also: AS, AY, GF, IB, MH, RJ, UL | 21 | 77W, 789 | 7h43-8h | – | Oneworld | AS, AY, GF, IB, MH, RJ, UL |
| DL Delta Air Lines Also: AF, KL, SK, SV | 15 | 332, 339 | 7h15-8h15 | – | SkyTeam | AF, KL, SK, SV |
| B6 JetBlue Also: TP | 14 | 32Q | 7h47-8h15 | – | – | TP |
| QR Qatar Airways | 0 | – | – | – | Oneworld | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
On-Time Performance
Other ways to reach New York from London
| Metric | LHR→JFK | LGW→JFK | STN→JFK |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distance from LHR | – | 25 mi | 41 mi |
| Nonstop airlines | 6 | 2 | 2 |
| Weekly flights | 575 | 14 | 1 |
| Flight time | 7h 50m | 6h 55m | 7h 44m |
Travel Essentials
LHR: BST · JFK: EDT
When it's 6:00 PM in London, it's 1:00 PM in New York.
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.
Heathrow Express runs from London Paddington to T5 and T2/T3 in 15–21 minutes (£37 single, cheaper booked online or via the Heathrow app). Elizabeth line (Crossrail) is a lower-cost alternative; Paddington to T5 in 34 minutes from £13.50 with an Oyster/contactless cap of £14.90. The Elizabeth line also serves central London stations including Bond Street, Farringdon, and Liverpool Street.London Underground Piccadilly line serves all terminals (T2/T3/T4/T5) from central London in 40–60 minutes (£6 with Oyster). Taxis (black cabs) from central London cost £55–90 depending on traffic. Coach services from Victoria Coach Station (National Express) cost from £10 booked in advance.
AirTrain to Jamaica Station (8–10 min, $8.50) connects to the NYC subway A/E trains and LIRR. Total fare to midtown Manhattan is $9.25 via subway or $10–15 via LIRR; both take 50–70 minutes total. NYC taxis from JFK to Manhattan are metered (flat rate only applies to the Manhattan-to-JFK direction); expect $50–70 plus tolls.Ride-shares from JFK pick up at the designated lot; follow signs rather than waiting at terminal curbs. Car services and shared vans to Manhattan are available from the Ground Transportation desks.
Humid continental climate with hot summers and cold winters. July–August averages 25–32°C with high humidity and frequent afternoon thunderstorms that cause ground delays. Nor'easters hit December through March, occasionally dumping 30–60 cm of snow and causing widespread cancellations. JFK is slower to recover than inland airports due to wind exposure.
Fog is a disruption risk in spring. Fall (September–October) offers the most stable flying weather. Hurricane remnants reach New York in September–October. Sandy-level events are rare but possible.
LHR–JFK Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
London Heathrow to New York JFK: North Atlantic Flagship Route
The London Heathrow–New York JFK segment is commercially the most significant transatlantic route in the world, carrying premium business and leisure traffic between the US and UK financial capitals. Eight carriers operate 252 weekly departures. The schedule density is constrained by Heathrow's slot-limited capacity rather than demand. British Airways and American Airlines (as oneworld joint business partners) collectively hold a commanding share of both capacity and revenue, with Virgin Atlantic, Delta, and others competing for the remainder.
Premium Cabin Competition and Seat Products
No route in aviation generates more premium cabin competition than LHR–JFK. British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, American, and Delta each offer business class lie-flat products on this segment. Economy class pricing is highly competitive year-round, with advance fares frequently below £400 return when booked early.