London to Los Angeles is one of the most competitive long-haul routes in the world, with around nine non-stop departures a day and a flight time of about eleven hours. A crowd of full-service airlines fly it from Heathrow, and low-cost Norse Atlantic flies it from Gatwick, so fares can be surprisingly low for the distance. This guide covers who flies the route, a fair return in pounds, and when to book.
Route: London (LHR / LGW) → Los Angeles International (LAX)
Distance: approximately 8,780 km (5,456 miles)
Non-stop flight time: about 11h 00m – 11h 45m westbound
Direct flights: Yes — British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines, United and Delta fly non-stop from Heathrow, and Norse Atlantic flies non-stop from Gatwick. With so many non-stops, they’re usually as cheap as any connection.
Fares from London to Los Angeles (GBP)
Los Angeles is a year-round destination, so fares track demand more than California’s weather. The summer holidays (June–August) and the Christmas peak are the priciest; January–February and the September–October shoulder are the cheapest. The figures below are typical economy return fares in pounds — the lowest come from budget non-stops and sale fares, with the premium full-service carriers toward the higher end.
| Month | Demand | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | low |
| February | — | low |
| March | — | medium |
| April | — | medium |
| May | — | medium-high |
| June | — | high |
| July | — | high |
| August | — | high |
| September | — | medium |
| October | — | medium |
| November | — | medium-high |
| December | — | very high |
Checked against every return fare on sale as we write, a typical fair price is roughly £450–£500 — the median is £480, so that anchor holds exactly. The rest needs raising: the floor is £448 and four fares in five are under £522, so a strong return is under about £472 and there is nothing in the £300s to wait for. United’s Heathrow non-stop at £472–£538 carried three fifths of the cheap seats, with Virgin Atlantic from £516.
Airlines on this route
Non-stop from Heathrow (about 11 hours):
- United — non-stop from Heathrow and the price setter in our fare check: £472–£538 return on three fifths of the cheapest seats. Some of those tickets are sold under Austrian’s or Lufthansa’s code, but United flies them.
- Virgin Atlantic — non-stop from Heathrow, consistently well-rated economy and a strong premium cabin, from £516.
- British Airways — multiple daily non-stops from Heathrow; the widest choice of departure times, though it did not appear among the cheapest fares when we checked.
- American Airlines (in a joint operation with BA) and Delta (partnered with Virgin Atlantic) — further Heathrow non-stops, good for onward US connections; likewise absent from the cheapest fares we found.
Non-stop from Gatwick (usually the cheapest):
- Norse Atlantic — low-cost non-stop from Gatwick, with bags and meals sold as extras. Worth a warning, though: the cheapest Norse-branded fares in our check were Gatwick to Los Angeles via Orlando on a separate onward ticket, running about 36 hours for £448 — about £25 less than a United non-stop. Read the routing, not just the price.
Because the route is so competitive, a one-stop itinerary through a European hub (Paris, Amsterdam or Frankfurt) rarely beats these non-stops on price — and it adds hours. On London–LA, flying direct is usually both faster and cheaper.
When to book & how to save
- Book 2–5 months ahead for the best balance of price and choice; transatlantic fares to LA firm up as popular dates sell.
- Avoid the peaks: the summer holidays and Christmas/New Year are the most expensive — shift by a couple of weeks if you can.
- Travel in the shoulder (January–February, September–October) for the lowest fares; LA’s weather is pleasant almost year-round.
- Check the budget non-stop: Norse from Gatwick is often the cheapest, but price it with bags and seats added before comparing to a full-service fare.
- Watch checked-bag rules: BA, Virgin, American, United and Delta usually include a bag in the standard economy fare; the lowest “basic” and Norse “light” fares may not.
Arriving in Los Angeles
You land at Los Angeles International (LAX), on the coast about 30 km southwest of downtown. Options into the city depend on where you’re staying: a taxi or ride-hailing car to downtown or the beach areas runs roughly £40–£60 depending on traffic (which can be heavy), while the FlyAway bus to Union Station is a cheap fixed-fare alternative at around £8. LAX is being connected to the city’s Metro rail via a new Automated People Mover and light-rail link — check the latest on arrival. The US uses the dollar, and you’ll need an ESTA (or visa) to enter.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from London to Los Angeles?
Non-stop flights take about 11 hours to 11 hours 45 minutes westbound (London to LA). The return is usually a little quicker, around 10 to 10½ hours, with the tailwinds. A connecting itinerary would add several hours, which is why most travellers fly direct.
Are there direct flights from London to Los Angeles?
Yes — plenty. United, Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, American Airlines and Delta fly non-stop from Heathrow, and Norse Atlantic flies non-stop from Gatwick. With around nine non-stops a day, a direct flight is almost always the best choice on this route — three quarters of the hundred cheapest fares we found are direct, from £472 on United. The two cheapest connections saved £20–£30 and added 17 and 36 hours respectively.
How much does it cost to fly from London to Los Angeles?
A typical economy return runs about £472–£522, median £480, with the Heathrow non-stops spanning £472–£549. The best deals start at £448 — but read that one carefully: it is a Gatwick–Orlando–Los Angeles self-transfer of about 36 hours, not a direct flight. The summer and December peaks push the non-stops above their usual band.
What is the cheapest month to fly from London to Los Angeles?
January, February and October are usually the cheapest. In the dates we could price, returns started at £448, and the cheapest non-stop at £472. Avoid June to August and the Christmas holidays, which are the busiest and most expensive.
Which airlines fly from London to Los Angeles?
Non-stop from Heathrow: United, Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, American Airlines and Delta. In our fare check United held three fifths of the cheapest seats at £472–£538 and Virgin Atlantic ran from £516; the other three did not appear among the cheapest. Norse Atlantic flies non-stop from Gatwick, but the Norse fares we found were Gatwick to LAX via Orlando on a separate ticket, about 36 hours door to door — check the routing before you book on price. One-stop routings via European hubs exist but rarely beat the non-stops: the cheapest was £454 for a 28-hour journey.
Which airport do I fly into in Los Angeles?
You arrive at Los Angeles International (LAX), the region’s main gateway, about 30 km southwest of downtown near the coast. It’s a large, busy airport, so allow time for immigration on arrival — you’ll need an ESTA or US visa to enter.
How far in advance should I book London to Los Angeles flights?
Aim to book 2 to 5 months ahead. Transatlantic fares to LA tend to rise as popular dates sell, especially for the summer holidays and the Christmas peak, so early booking usually wins — though last-minute sales do occasionally appear in the low season.
Is it cheaper to fly on weekdays?
Often, yes — midweek departures (Tuesday to Thursday) are usually cheaper than Friday–Sunday, and flying out and back on weekdays can save £40–£100 on a return. Being flexible by a day or two is one of the easiest ways to cut the fare.
Fare guidance based on aifly.one deal tracking and current airline schedules; last reviewed July 2026. Indicative economy returns — always check the live fare before booking.
