How Long is the Flight from New York to London?

One of the most tailed routes from the United States to the United Kingdom is the route connecting New York to London. Given its popularity, many planes take off every day from JFK International Airport to an airport in London, serving millions of passengers a year. Here’s all the information you might require concerning the New York to London flight time, including distance and significant airlines that currently service this route. 

New York to London Flight Time and Distance

The length of flight from NYC to London is approximately 7 hours. The average flight time across most journeys is 6 hours and 30 minutes. However, the whole trip might take a longer time span due to a number of technical issues or air traffic that cause long delays in the total time.

It is also notable that the total travel time can actually exceed your flight time. You have to take the following things into consideration:

• Time to reach the airport.
• Time taken to complete all the airport formalities.
• Chances of possible delays before takeoff.
• Extra time for immigration and baggage claims in London.

All in all, the distance from New York to London is 3,459 miles, a long flight, but not the longest it could be. Just to give you something familiar as a comparison, flying from NYC to LA is 2,789 miles, and heading out of the country altogether will get you around 6,745 miles into Tokyo. 

Returning from London to New York

The total flight time changes when you are returning from London to New York; it can take around 7 hours and 50 minutes or more to reach your home country. Wondering how so? Well, a high-speed wind blowing from west to east becomes a factor that affects the flight time (jet stream) and makes it longer. 

Flying along the jet stream at the time of traveling from NYC to LON shortens the flight hours from New York to London. However, returning back and flying against the stream can easily extend the duration.  

Airlines & Airports Offering NYC-London Route

Some of the most reliable airlines operating this New York to London route are British Airways, Delta, Air France, and KLM. All of these are very dependable airlines that have decades of experience flying this route. Each carrier offers several of its services and benefits.

• Delta is actually collaborating with Virgin Atlantic to bring various options for flights.
• The sister companies, Air France and KLM, sometimes offer flights with a short layover in either Paris or Amsterdam.
• United Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, and Norwegian Air also operate along this route. They offer different advantages, such as loyalty programs, seat arrangements, or onboard entertainment.

New York Airports for London Flights

When you are flying to London from New York City, you can choose from three major airports to begin your journey. 

1. John. F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)

The JFK Airport is located in Queens, New York, about 16 miles from Midtown Manhattan. It is the largest airport with six passenger terminals, from which most flights operate in the city. To reach the platform, you have subway options, buses, and many taxis that connect the airport to the city.

2. Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)

Another airport that is also 16 miles from Midtown Manhattan is Newark Airport, which is in New Jersey.  It is usually less packed than JFK has three terminals for flight operations. You can easily access it via train, bus, and taxi to Manhattan.

3. LaGuardia Airport (LGA)

Last on the list is LaGuardia Airport, which is actually very close to Midtown Manhattan, located only 8 miles away in Queens. This only serves domestic routes except for some London flights. Take a bus or taxi to the city.

London Airport for New York Flights

When your flight arrives on the foreign lands of London, you will carry out the post-flight procedures in one of these airports:

1. London Heathrow Airport (LHR)

It is also known as the busiest airport in the United Kingdom, located 14 miles west of London. The airport has four passenger terminals with underground shuttles, express trains, etc., to facilitate flight operations.

2. London Gatwick Airport (LGW)

Time for the UK’s second busiest airport, London Gatwick, is located 28 miles south of London. It serves passengers and airlines with two terminals: North and South. The platforms are connected with express trains, regular trains, buses, and taxis to London. 

3. Stansted Airport (STN)

This airport is 42 miles from the center of London, mainly a hub for low-cost airlines. After landing and completing post-flight formalities, you can take an express train, bus, or taxi to your final location in London. 

4. London City Airport (LCY)

Lastly, the closest to the center of London, which is 7 miles east, is London City Airport. It is a smaller airport with only one runway and mainly European traffic. Each airport has its own pros. The one that international travelers prefer the most is JFK Airport. It offers extensive flight options, giving passengers an opportunity to purchase flights according to their time convenience.

However, this does not imply that other airports are less preferred. Since Newark is less packed, you can look forward to expecting a peaceful on-ground experience and quick security procedures. Similarly, LaGuardia is a convenient option for those who live nearby in Queens. 

Specific Airline Flight Time NYC to London

Here are some details of particular NYC to London flight times. However, do keep in mind that these time slots could be subject to change depending on the weather conditions and air traffic. Most significant airlines have at least several flights in a day, giving you the flexibility to choose the take-off time most convenient to your schedule.

Airline Name	Concerned Airport Name	New York to London Flight Duration
British Airways	JFK to Heathrow	7 hours 10 minutes
Delta Airlines	JFK to Heathrow	7 hours 20 minutes
KLM	JFK to Heathrow	7 hours 20 minutes
Air France	JFK to Heathrow	6 hours and 55 minutes

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