Find the cheapest flights from London to Los Angeles in 2026. Compare airlines, prices by month, and booking tips to save on your trip.
Route: London (LHR) → Los Angeles (LAX)
Distance: Direct flights not available
Flight Duration: 13 h 20 m – 18 h 45 m
Prices by Month
| Month | Avg Price | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| January | €380 | medium |
| February | €340 | low |
| March | €420 | medium |
| April | €480 | medium |
| May | €520 | high |
| June | €580 | high |
| July | €680 | high |
| August | €700 | high |
| September | €520 | medium |
| October | €440 | medium |
| November | €380 | low |
| December | €620 | high |
Airlines on This Route
- British Airways (direct) from €450 — BA often releases discount business class fares 6-8 weeks before departure. Use their fare finder to track price drops. Club World upgrades sometimes available at check-in.
- Virgin Atlantic (direct) from €420 — Virgin often has sales in January and September. Their Upper Class fares sometimes include airport transfers in LA. Book directly for best cancellation flexibility.
- United Airlines (direct) from €400 — United’s Economy Plus pricing varies widely — book early for the best seats. Their connecting routes via Denver or San Francisco can sometimes be cheaper than direct.
- American Airlines (direct) from €410 — AA frequently runs flash sales. Check their app for same-day changes. Connecting through Dallas can add 4-6 hours but sometimes saves €100+.
- Delta Air Lines (direct) from €430 — Delta’s ATL-LAX route connects via Atlanta — add 4-6 hours but may find better deals. SkyMiles members can sometimes find availability at lower mileage levels on this route.
- Air France (connecting) from €350 — Air France often undercuts direct carriers by €50-100. Minimum connection time at CDG is 75 minutes — book longer layovers for peace of mind.
Booking Strategy
For London to Los Angeles, the sweet spot for booking is 10-14 weeks before departure, particularly for summer travel when demand peaks. January and February offer the lowest prices, with average fares around €340, making this the optimal time for budget-conscious travelers. September and October provide a secondary shoulder-season window with prices dipping to €440-520. Flying midweek (Tuesday or Wednesday) can save €50-80 compared to weekend departures. Use Google Flights for flexible date searches, and set price alerts for both LHR-LAX and LGW-LAX as prices differ. British Airways and Virgin Atlantic prices match closely, but check each directly as sales timing differs. Avoid booking during UK school holidays (late March, Easter, late July) when prices spike 30-40%. For business class, book 3+ months ahead for the best Premium Cabin pricing.
Route Tips
- Heathrow Terminal 5 (BA) has the fastest security and best lounge options, but Terminal 3 (Virgin/Delta/United) often has cheaper fares — factor in terminal transfer time if booking separate tickets.
- US customs clearance at LAX can take 45-90 minutes at peak times (10am-2pm). Consider Global Entry ($100 for 5 years) or at least use the mobile passport app to speed through.
- London Gatwick departures can save €50-100 over Heathrow but have fewer daily flight options — check both airports when comparing prices.
- For ESTA applications, apply at least 72 hours before departure. UK citizens pay $21 and receive approval within minutes, but don’t risk last-minute applications.
- Virgin Atlantic’s Upper Class includes luxury sedan transfers in LA — factor this in when comparing to BA’s business class which requires separate ground transport booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the flight from London to Los Angeles?
Direct flights from London Heathrow (LHR) to Los Angeles (LAX) take approximately 10 hours 35 minutes to 11 hours, depending on wind conditions. British Airways and Virgin Atlantic operate the quickest schedules, typically at 10h 35m. Connecting flights via major European hubs (Paris CDG, Frankfurt, Amsterdam) add 4-8 hours, ranging from 13h 20m to 18h 45m total. Delta and United also offer direct service from London Gatwick (LGW) with similar flight times. Seasonal wind patterns can affect actual durations by 30-45 minutes either way.
How much does it cost to fly from London to Los Angeles?
Economy class fares range from €300 to €700 depending on season and booking timing. The cheapest deals (€300-380) appear in January, February, and November when demand is lower. Peak summer pricing (June-August) sees economy fares climb to €500-700, while December holidays reach €600-800 for economy. Premium Economy runs €1,200-1,800, and Business Class typically costs €2,500-5,000. Connecting flights can reduce costs by €50-150 but add significant travel time. The lowest price found in the past year was €298 on Air France via Paris.
Are there direct flights from London to Los Angeles?
Yes, direct flights operate daily from both London Heathrow (LHR) and London Gatwick (LGW). British Airways offers the most frequent service with up to 6 daily departures from Heathrow. Virgin Atlantic operates 3-4 daily flights from Heathrow and Gatwick. United Airlines, American Airlines, and Delta also provide direct service from Heathrow. There is no direct service from London Stansted, Luton, or City airports — travelers using these airports must connect. Gatwick departures tend to be slightly cheaper than Heathrow but have fewer flight options.
What is the cheapest month to fly from London to Los Angeles?
February is consistently the cheapest month, with average economy fares of €340 and deals as low as €300. January and November are also budget-friendly at €380-420. The period from mid-January through mid-March (excluding half-term week) offers the best value. September and early October constitute the shoulder season with prices around €440-520. Avoid July, August, and December when prices peak at €600-700+. School holiday periods in the UK add 25-40% premium to fares.
Which airlines fly from London to Los Angeles?
Five airlines operate direct flights: British Airways (most frequent, 6+ daily), Virgin Atlantic (3-4 daily), United Airlines (2-3 daily), American Airlines (2 daily), and Delta (1-2 daily). All offer Economy, Premium Economy, and Business Class. Connecting options include Air France (via Paris), Lufthansa (via Frankfurt), KLM (via Amsterdam), Emirates (via Dubai), and Swiss (via Zurich). Budget carriers Norwegian and Wow Air previously served this route but have ceased operations. Virgin Atlantic generally offers the best onboard experience in Economy, while BA has the most route options.
What airport do I fly into in Los Angeles?
All flights arrive at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), located approximately 18 miles (29 km) southwest of downtown Los Angeles. The airport has nine terminals connected by a free shuttle bus and the new PeopleMover automated train. Transportation options: ride-share (Uber/Lyft) costs $30-50 to downtown, taxis run $60-80, and the FlyAway bus offers express service to Union Station for $9.75. Rental cars are available at the Rental Car Center, accessible by shuttle. Allow 30-60 minutes for LAX arrivals due to customs and baggage claim.
How far in advance should I book London to Los Angeles flights?
For optimal pricing, book 10-14 weeks (2.5-3.5 months) before departure. This window typically captures the best fares before demand increases. For summer travel (June-August), book 12-16 weeks ahead as routes fill quickly. Winter travel (December-February) allows shorter booking windows of 4-8 weeks as demand is lower. Last-minute bookings (under 2 weeks) rarely offer deals on this popular route and typically cost 20-40% more. Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales (late November) can yield excellent deals for the following year.
Is it cheaper to fly from London to Los Angeles on weekdays?
Yes, Tuesday and Wednesday departures are typically €40-80 cheaper than Friday or Sunday flights. The cheapest day to fly is Tuesday, followed by Wednesday and Thursday. Weekend departures (Friday-Sunday) carry a premium due to leisure travelers. For example, a Tuesday flight in February might cost €320 while the same route on Saturday costs €400. Monday falls between these extremes. Midweek flights also tend to have less crowded planes and more availability in premium cabins. Consider arriving in LA on a Tuesday or Wednesday for the best overall value.
Data updated: 2026-03