Find the cheapest flights from London to San Francisco in 2026. Compare airlines, prices by month, and booking tips to save on your trip.
Route: London (LHR) → San Francisco (SFO)
Distance: Direct flights not available
Flight Duration: 13h 30m – 18h
Prices by Month
| Month | Avg Price | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| January | €520 | medium |
| February | €440 | low |
| March | €470 | low |
| April | €510 | medium |
| May | €560 | medium |
| June | €720 | high |
| July | €850 | high |
| August | €780 | high |
| September | €580 | medium |
| October | €490 | low |
| November | €460 | low |
| December | €680 | high |
Airlines on This Route
- British Airways (direct): from €550 — Use BA’sfare finder for price alerts. Midweek departures (Tue/Wed) are consistently cheapest on this route.
- United Airlines (direct): from €520 — Book through United’s website for better seat selection. Connecting through SFO can sometimes yield cheaper fares.
- Virgin Atlantic (direct): from €540 — Virgin often runs sales in January and September. Their Upper Class is competitive with BA for business travelers.
- Delta Air Lines (connecting): from €480 — Delta frequently has sales via their London office. Atlanta or Minneapolis connections add 2-3 hours but often save €50-100.
- Lufthansa (connecting): from €460 — Lufthansa’s Swiss subsidiary often has competitive fares. Book 8+ weeks out for best rates on connecting flights.
Booking Strategy
For London to San Francisco, the optimal booking window is 6-10 weeks before departure for economy class. February through April and October through mid-November offer the lowest fares, with January sales often extending into February. Tuesday and Wednesday departures are consistently €60-120 cheaper than Friday/Sunday returns. Use Google Flights for flexible date searching, then book directly with the airline to avoid third-party booking fees. British Airways and Virgin Atlantic compete aggressively on the direct route, so check both when BA shows high prices. If connecting, look at Delta via Atlanta or Lufthansa via Frankfurt/Munich—these hubs offer reliable connections. Avoid peak periods: the 10 days around July 4th and the entire December holiday period see prices 40-60% higher. Set price alerts 12 weeks out and be ready to book when prices drop below €500 for economy.
Route Tips
- Heathrow Terminal 5 (BA) and Terminal 3 (Virgin/Delta) offer the best lounges and fastest security for this route—consider Terminal 5 if traveling Premium
- SFO’s Customs can have 30-60 minute waits during peak arrival times (10am-2pm); book later evening arrivals for faster processing
- Consider a brief stopover in Dublin or Reykjavik on the way—Icelandair and Aer Lingus sometimes offer cheap add-ons to break up the journey
- Global Entry ($100 for 5 years) is invaluable for this route—US arrivals skip the entire customs queue
- San Francisco fog is heaviest June-July (所谓的June Gloom)—book morning flights for clearer landing views and fewer delays
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the flight from London to San Francisco?
The direct flight from London Heathrow (LHR) to San Francisco (SFO) takes approximately 11 hours 30 minutes. British Airways, United Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, and American Airlines all operate direct services. If you opt for a connecting flight via hubs like Atlanta, Chicago, Frankfurt, or Amsterdam, expect a total journey time of 13.5 to 18 hours depending on the connection duration. Delta, Lufthansa, and Air France frequently offer competitive connecting options that add 2-5 hours to the journey but can save €50-150 on the fare.
How much does it cost to fly from London to San Francisco?
Economy class fares range from €300 to €850 depending on season and booking timing. The sweet spot for deals is February through April and October through mid-November, when fares typically drop to €440-520. Summer months (June-August) are most expensive at €720-850 due to peak demand. Business class direct flights start around €2,500 but can reach €4,500 during peak periods. Connecting flights in economy can sometimes be found under €400, though these require longer travel times. Always compare direct vs. connecting as the time savings often justify the modest price difference.
Are there direct flights from London to San Francisco?
Yes, direct flights are available and are the most popular option for this route. British Airways operates multiple daily departures from Heathrow, typically using Boeing 777-300ER aircraft with their newest Club World seats. United Airlines offers direct service from Heathrow and recently introduced their Premium Plus product. Virgin Atlantic operates daily Upper Class direct flights, while American Airlines runs seasonal direct service. The direct flight saves 2-5 hours compared to connecting options and is generally recommended unless you find a significantly cheaper connecting fare.
What is the cheapest month to fly from London to San Francisco?
February is typically the cheapest month, with average economy fares around €440. March and November also offer excellent value at €460-470. These months fall outside both the summer tourist peak and the December holiday rush. January can be cheap (€520 average) due to post-holiday lulls, but early-year storm disruptions sometimes affect availability. The most expensive period is June through August when European summer holidays drive demand, pushing average prices to €720-850. If your schedule is flexible, target late February through mid-April for the best combination of low prices and reliable weather in San Francisco.
Which airlines fly from London to San Francisco?
Direct carriers include British Airways (most frequent departures, excellent business class), United Airlines (good value, extensive US network), Virgin Atlantic (premium service, Upper Class product), and American Airlines (seasonal service). Connecting options through European hubs include Lufthansa (via Munich/Frankfurt), Air France (via Paris), KLM (via Amsterdam), Delta (via Atlanta/Minneapolis), and Emirates (via Dubai—the longest but often competitive pricing). Budget carriers don’t serve this route as it’s too long for their aircraft. BA and Virgin dominate the premium market, while United and Delta compete aggressively on economy pricing.
What airport do I fly into in San Francisco?
You will arrive at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), located approximately 14 miles (22 km) south of downtown San Francisco. SFO is a major international hub with excellent dining and facilities. Transport options: BART train ($9.65, 30 minutes to downtown), ride-shareUber/Lyft ($35-50, 25-40 minutes depending on traffic), taxi (flat rate ~$58 to downtown), or rental car. The BART is recommended for solo travelers as it’s reliable and cheaper than taxis. Note that SFO is directly adjacent to the Bay, so fog is common in summer mornings—this actually creates spectacular landing views but can cause occasional flight diversions.
How far in advance should I book London to San Francisco flights?
For economy class, book 6-10 weeks ahead for the best prices. The 8-week mark is statistically the sweet spot when airlines have filled their discount buckets but haven’t yet raised prices for remaining seats. For summer travel (June-August), book 10-12 weeks ahead as these dates fill quickly. December travel requires booking by early October at the latest. Business class travelers should book 8-12 weeks ahead for the best Premium Cabin availability. Last-minute deals are rare on this popular route—if you see a suspiciously cheap fare, book it immediately as availability is extremely limited.
Is it cheaper to fly from London to San Francisco on weekdays?
Yes, weekday departures are significantly cheaper than weekend travel on this route. Tuesday and Wednesday departures are typically €60-120 cheaper than Friday or Sunday flights. The cheapest day to fly is typically Tuesday, with Wednesday as a close second. Saturday returns often offer better deals than Sunday returns. For the best combination, consider a Tuesday or Wednesday departure with a Saturday return—this can save €100-200 compared to Friday-Sunday travel. However, these savings diminish or disappear during peak season when planes are full regardless of the day. Mid-week flights also tend to have more availability for seat selection and upgrades.
Data updated: 2026-03
