Beijing to London (PEK–LGW) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
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No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
PEK–LGW is served by 1 airline with nonstop service. Air China leads the route. The flight covers 5,074 miles in approximately 10h 45m. Beyond nonstop, 36 hubs offer 1-stop connections.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CA Air China | 7 | 359 | 10h45 | – | Star Alliance | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
Travel Essentials
PEK: CST · LGW: BST
When it's 6:00 PM in Beijing, it's 11:00 AM in London.
Chinese passport holders need a Standard Visitor visa to enter the UK. Apply online through gov.uk and book a biometrics appointment at a VFS Global centre in China. The 6-month visa costs GBP 115. Longer options: 2-year visa is GBP 400, 5-year is GBP 771, 10-year is GBP 963. Processing takes 3 weeks as standard. Priority service (5 business days) costs an extra GBP 500. Super Priority (next business day) costs GBP 1,000 where available.
You will need a completed online form, passport valid for the duration of your stay, financial documents (6 months of bank statements), proof of accommodation, return flight booking, and evidence of ties to China. Employment letters and payslips are expected for employed applicants. Unlike Schengen, the UK does not require travel insurance as part of the application.
The UK is not part of the Schengen area. A Schengen visa does not allow entry to the UK and vice versa. You need separate applications if visiting both.
Airport Express train runs from Dongzhimen or Sanyuanqiao (Line 10) to the airport in 16–20 minutes (¥25). Trains run every 10 minutes from 6am to 11pm and connect directly to Terminals 2 and 3. This bypasses Beijing's severe road congestion reliably.Taxis from central Beijing (Dongcheng/Xicheng districts) cost ¥80–120 and take 40–90 minutes depending on traffic and time of day. Express buses (¥25–30) serve major city hubs. Note that PKX (Daxing) is Beijing's second international airport; confirm your terminal before traveling.
The Gatwick Express departs the South Terminal every 15 minutes to London Victoria (30 min, from £21.50). Thameslink services are cheaper and provide direct access to Farringdon, City Thameslink, Blackfriars, and London Bridge; useful for destinations in the City and East London. Both terminal buildings are connected by a free inter-terminal monorail shuttle (2 min).Taxis from arrivals queue outside; metered fares to central London typically run £70–100 and can exceed this during peak hours. Uber and other ride-shares operate from a designated zone. Rental car desks are in both terminal buildings.
Temperate maritime climate. Winters (November–February) are cool and grey at 3–9°C, with fog, low cloud, and occasional light snow causing moderate delay risks. Summers (June–August) are mild at 18–25°C. Heat waves are increasingly common and can affect ramp operations. Rain falls year-round with no dry season.
Wind is a more frequent disruption factor than snow at Gatwick. The airport has a single active runway and is sensitive to crosswinds. Autumn storms (October–November) occasionally cause significant delays.
PEK–LGW Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from PEK to LGW
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and London Gatwick Airport (LGW) are connected by nonstop service from Air China. With 7 weekly departures, this is a regularly served route.
PEK to LGW Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from PEK to LGW ranges from 10 hours 45 minutes. The route covers a distance of 5,074 miles (8,165 km). There are approximately 7 weekly flights outbound and 7 return, totaling 14 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
36 one-stop connections are available, with the fastest taking approximately 13 hours via WAW. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs.