Flights to USA from UK

Compare cheap fares to New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago & more — all major airlines compared

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Average Return Fares to USA by Month

Based on historical fare data from UK airports to New York, Los Angeles, Miami and Chicago combined

United Kingdom to USA — average economy return fares

Prices updated regularly — indicative figures
Low season (best value)
Shoulder season
Peak season
From £279
Cheapest one-way found
Jan – Mar
Cheapest months to fly
8–12 weeks
Optimal booking window
10+ airlines
Competing on every route

Popular UK to USA Routes

Direct and connecting flights from major UK airports — London, Manchester, Birmingham & more

Cheap flights London to New York USA

London to New York

From £279
British Airways · Virgin Atlantic · American Airlines
~7h 30m direct LHR → JFK
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Cheap flights London to Los Angeles USA

London to Los Angeles

From £349
British Airways · Virgin Atlantic · American Airlines
~11h direct LHR → LAX
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Cheap flights London to Miami USA

Manchester to New York

From £299
Virgin Atlantic · Delta · British Airways
~7h 45m direct MAN → JFK
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Cheap flights London to Miami USA

London to Miami

From £339
British Airways · American Airlines · United
~9h 30m direct LHR → MIA
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When to Book USA Flights from UK

US fares from the UK spike sharply for summer, Thanksgiving, Christmas and Spring Break — book early to secure the best price

US Summer 2026, Thanksgiving 2026 & Christmas 2026 — the three most expensive travel windows from the UK to USA

Transatlantic fares to the US surge every year for summer holidays, the Thanksgiving long weekend and the Christmas period. Seats and fares on popular routes like London to New York and London to Los Angeles can increase by up to 70% in the final 8 weeks before peak dates. Use the booking guide below and contact TripNext for a price alert the moment fares hit your target.

US Summer 2026 fares are selling fast — book now for July & August 2026 departures
US Summer Holidays 2026
Jun – Aug 2026
Book by: Apr 2026
Labor Day Weekend 2026
Late Aug – Sep 2026
Book by: Jun 2026
Thanksgiving 2026
26 Nov 2026
Book by: Aug 2026
Christmas & New Year 2026
Dec 2026 – Jan 2027
Book by: Sep 2026
Spring Break / Easter 2027
Mar – Apr 2027
Book by: Jan 2027

Book 8–14 Weeks in Advance

For US summer and holiday travel, 2–3 months ahead is the sweet spot for economy. Premium economy and business class fill even earlier — especially on popular routes like London Heathrow to New York JFK and London to Los Angeles. Transatlantic award seats disappear fastest.

Fly Mid-Week for Cheaper Fares

Tuesday and Wednesday departures on transatlantic routes can be 15–25% cheaper than Friday and Sunday flights. On a London to New York return, choosing mid-week can save £80–£150 per passenger — a meaningful saving for family bookings.

Call Our USA Flight Specialists

For group bookings of 4 or more, calling TripNext directly often reveals fares below what search engines show. Our team monitors transatlantic routes daily across British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, American, Delta and United — including unpublished consolidator fares.

Why UK Travellers Choose the USA

Everything you need to know before flying from the UK to America

The USA is the most popular long-haul destination for UK holidaymakers, attracting over 4 million British visitors each year. From the iconic skyline of New York and the beaches of Miami to the theme parks of Orlando and the sun-drenched boulevards of Los Angeles, the USA offers something for every type of traveller.

UK families travelling to the USA often target Florida for its theme parks, California for its sunshine, or New York for a city break. British Airways and Virgin Atlantic are the most popular choices for families due to direct routes, generous baggage allowances and consistent service. Emirates via Dubai also serves key US cities competitively.

The USA remains a top choice for UK students, gap year travellers and solo adventurers. A US visa is required for stays beyond 90 days or for working, but ESTA makes tourist visits seamless. Most UK solo travellers base themselves in New York, then travel overland or on domestic flights to Chicago, Nashville, New Orleans, Las Vegas or the Pacific Coast.

For budget-conscious travellers, January through March offers the cheapest fares from the UK to the US — typically 30–40% lower than summer peak prices. Norwegian and Level (when available) and connections via Reykjavik with Icelandair can offer very competitive entry-point fares for one-way transatlantic bookings.

New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Houston and Boston are major US business hubs with significant UK corporate travel demand. British Airways Club World and Virgin Atlantic Upper Class are consistently preferred for transatlantic business travel from the UK, with extensive lounge networks and lie-flat beds on all widebody aircraft.

Delta One and American Airlines Flagship Business are also highly rated on transatlantic routes. For business travellers based outside London, direct services from Manchester to New York (Virgin and Delta) and Birmingham to the US (via Emirates or connecting via Heathrow) provide convenient options without travelling to London.

~7h 30m
London to New York direct
~10h 30m
London to LA direct
10+ airlines
Competing transatlantic
4M+
UK visitors to USA yearly
New York City skyline flights from UK Los Angeles California USA

USA Events & Peak Travel Calendar

Plan your flights around America’s biggest events, festivals and holiday periods — May 2026 to end of 2027

Event / Season Approx. Dates (2026–27) Key Destination(s) Demand Level Book By
US Summer Peak — July 4th Independence Day 4 Jul 2026 New York, Washington DC, Boston Peak Book now — Apr 2026
US Summer Holidays 2026 Jun – Aug 2026 All major US cities & Florida Peak Book now — Apr 2026
UK Summer Half-Term & Holidays Jul – Aug 2026 New York, Orlando, Las Vegas Peak Book now — Apr 2026
US Open Tennis (New York) Late Aug – Sep 2026 New York (JFK / EWR) High Jun 2026
Labor Day Weekend 2026 5–7 Sep 2026 New York, Las Vegas, Chicago High Jun 2026
Halloween in New York & Las Vegas 31 Oct 2026 New York, Las Vegas, New Orleans Moderate Aug 2026
Thanksgiving & Black Friday 2026 26–29 Nov 2026 New York, Chicago, Los Angeles Peak Aug 2026
Christmas & New Year 2026–27 Dec 2026 – Jan 2027 New York, Miami, Las Vegas Peak Sep 2026
Super Bowl LXI Feb 2027 TBC — major US stadium city High Nov 2026
Spring Break / Easter Holidays 2027 Mar – Apr 2027 Florida, New York, Las Vegas High Jan 2027
Coachella Valley Music Festival 2027 Apr 2027 Los Angeles / Palm Springs (LAX) High Jan 2027
Indy 500 / Memorial Day Weekend 2027 May 2027 Indianapolis, New York, Chicago Moderate Mar 2027
US Summer Peak 2027 Jun – Aug 2027 All major US cities Peak Mar 2027
Best Value / Low Season Jan – Mar & Sep – Nov All US destinations Best Value Book any time

Planning your US trip? Call +44 20 7550 8212 to talk with our transatlantic flight specialists

Call Now for Best Fares

Flying to the USA as a Group or Family?

Group bookings of 4 or more passengers often unlock fares and seat blocks not available online

Everything a group needs when booking USA flights from the UK

Whether you’re travelling as a family to New York for Christmas, heading to a wedding in Los Angeles, organising a stag party in Las Vegas or arranging a corporate trip to New York or Chicago, booking as a group with TripNext means personalised fare negotiation, flexible seat allocation and dedicated support from booking through to boarding.

  • Group booking discounts for 4+ passengers on the same transatlantic flight
  • Baggage advice — compare British Airways 23kg vs Virgin Atlantic 23kg vs Delta 23kg
  • Best airlines for long-haul comfort with children — especially on 7–10 hour flights
  • New York vs Los Angeles routing — which works better for your US itinerary?
  • Multi-city USA options — fly into New York, out of Los Angeles and save on domestic connections
  • Connecting flights for passengers from Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh or Glasgow
Jun–Aug
Peak US travel from UK
~7h 30m
London to New York flight time
4+
Passengers qualify for group rates
8–12 wks
Optimal booking lead time
New York Times Square group travel flights from UK

Queries Answered for Flights to the USA from UK

The most commonly asked questions about booking USA flights from the UK, answered clearly

Quick answers: Use the questions below to find exactly what you need. Each answer is written for UK travellers booking transatlantic USA flights — covering ESTA visas, airlines, baggage, seasons and more.
British Airways operates the most direct UK to USA routes from London Heathrow, covering New York JFK, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, Dallas, San Francisco, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Seattle and more. Virgin Atlantic flies from London Heathrow and Manchester direct to New York JFK, Los Angeles and other US cities. American Airlines, United Airlines and Delta Air Lines also operate non-stop transatlantic services from UK airports. Aer Lingus offers connections via Dublin with US pre-clearance, effectively bypassing US customs on arrival.
Flights from London Heathrow to New York JFK take approximately 7 hours 30 minutes to 8 hours westbound (direct). The return flight eastbound is shorter at around 6 hours 30 minutes to 7 hours due to jetstream tailwinds. Flights from London to Los Angeles take around 10 to 11 hours, to Miami approximately 9 to 9.5 hours and to Chicago around 8 to 9 hours direct.
Flights from London Heathrow to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) take approximately 10 hours 30 minutes to 11 hours direct westbound. This is one of the longest transatlantic routes from the UK and both British Airways and Virgin Atlantic operate widebody aircraft with full flat beds in business class. The return from LAX to London is faster at around 10 hours due to tailwinds.
UK citizens travelling for tourism or business stays of up to 90 days do not need a formal US visa but must obtain an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) before departure. Apply at esta.cbp.dhs.gov — the ESTA costs $21 USD and is typically approved within minutes. It is valid for 2 years and allows multiple trips. For longer stays, study, employment or other purposes, a US visa from the US Embassy in London is required. Always check the latest ESTA requirements on gov.uk before booking.
The cheapest months to fly from the UK to USA are January, February and March — after Christmas and before Spring Break. September to mid-November is also good value. Fares are highest in June, July and August (US and UK summer), around Thanksgiving (late November) and during the Christmas and New Year period. Mid-week departures (Tuesday and Wednesday) on transatlantic routes save an additional 15–25% versus weekends.
Most airlines on the UK to USA route operate a piece concept for checked baggage rather than weight. British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines, United Airlines and Delta typically allow one checked bag up to 23kg in economy (two bags in premium economy and business). Always check your specific fare — some cheaper economy fares on transatlantic routes include no checked bag, with baggage purchased separately. Business class allowances are significantly more generous.
London Heathrow (LHR) has the widest choice of direct US routes including New York JFK, Los Angeles, Chicago O’Hare, Miami, Dallas, Boston, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Seattle and Houston. London Gatwick (LGW) has direct services to New York and other US cities. Manchester (MAN) offers direct flights to New York JFK and other US cities via Virgin Atlantic, Delta and others. Birmingham, Edinburgh and Glasgow have connecting services to the US via London Heathrow or international hubs like Dubai and Doha.
Budget transatlantic carriers including Level and Norse Atlantic Airways have offered low entry fares from London to New York and other US cities. Icelandair via Reykjavik and Aer Lingus via Dublin are consistently competitive on price. For mainstream carriers, United Airlines and American Airlines often match or undercut British Airways on certain routes. Virgin Atlantic offers strong mid-range pricing with excellent service quality, particularly on London and Manchester to New York routes.
For long routes like London to Los Angeles (10–11 hours) or London to San Francisco, business class is widely considered excellent value for those who can afford it. Virgin Atlantic Upper Class, British Airways Club World and Delta One are consistently rated among the best transatlantic business class products. Lie-flat beds are standard in business on widebody transatlantic aircraft. Booking 3–5 months in advance off-peak can secure business class from £1,200 return on shorter routes like London to New York.
New York City remains the most popular US destination for UK travellers — a year-round city with exceptional direct flight access from London and Manchester. Florida (Orlando and Miami) is the top choice for UK families in summer and half-term. Los Angeles and Las Vegas are hugely popular for holidays and city breaks. New Orleans for Mardi Gras 2027, Nashville for music tourism, Chicago for city breaks and San Francisco for tech travellers and West Coast holidays are all growing in popularity. TripNext’s team can advise on the best routing and timing for all US destinations.

UK Airports with Flights to USA

Which UK airport should you fly from? Compare all departure airports, airlines and routes to America

UK Airport Code US Destinations (Direct) Airlines Route Type Total Flight Time
London Heathrow LHR New York, LA, Chicago, Miami, Dallas, Boston, SF, Washington, Seattle British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, American, United, Delta, Air India, Aer Lingus Many Direct 7–11h
London Gatwick LGW New York, Orlando, Los Angeles British Airways, Norse Atlantic, TUI, Thomas Cook (seasonal) Some Direct 7.5–11h
Manchester MAN New York JFK, New York Newark, Orlando, Las Vegas, Cancun (seasonal) Virgin Atlantic, Delta, American, TUI, Jet2 (seasonal) DirectConnecting 7.5–10h
Birmingham BHX New York, Orlando (seasonal) American Airlines, TUI, Emirates (via DXB) Some Connecting 8–12h
Edinburgh EDI New York JFK American Airlines, Delta (seasonal) Seasonal Direct 7.5–8h
Glasgow GLA New York, Orlando (seasonal) Connecting via LHR or DUB with partner airlines Connecting 9–13h total
Newcastle NCL Via London Heathrow or Dublin British Airways, Aer Lingus (via DUB) Connecting 10–13h total

Route availability changes seasonally. Call +44 20 7550 8212 for the latest route and schedule information for your preferred UK departure airport.

Which Airline is Best for USA Flights from the UK?

Compare airlines on price, baggage, routing and service quality to choose the right one for your transatlantic trip

Airline Route Type Economy Baggage From (one-way) Key Routes Best For Rating
British Airways Top Pick Direct 23 kg £279 LHR to 10+ US cities Most US routes, Avios, lounges ★★★★☆
Virgin Atlantic Direct 23 kg £299 LHR & MAN to NY, LA Premium economy, Upper Class, MAN ★★★★★
American Airlines Direct 23 kg £289 LHR to NY, Dallas, Chicago Transatlantic value, frequent flyers ★★★☆☆
Delta Air Lines Direct 23 kg £295 LHR & MAN to NY, Boston, Atlanta Delta One business, SkyMiles ★★★★☆
United Airlines Direct 23 kg £285 LHR to NY Newark, Chicago, SF Wide US network, Polaris business ★★★☆☆
Aer Lingus Via Dublin 23 kg £269 DUB to NY, Boston, LA, Chicago US pre-clearance, budget value ★★★☆☆
Norse Atlantic Airways Direct 23 kg £199 LGW to New York, Los Angeles Budget transatlantic travellers ★★★☆☆

Prices are indicative. Fares vary by date, class and availability. Baggage shown for standard economy — some budget fares exclude checked baggage. Call +44 20 7550 8212 for live pricing on any airline.

Baggage Allowances — USA Flights from UK

Flying to the USA for a long holiday? Here’s what each major transatlantic airline allows

Most Routes
British Airways
23 kg economy checked
Business (Club World): 2×32 kg
  • Most US destinations from Heathrow
  • Hand luggage: 23 kg + 1 personal item
  • Earn Avios — redeem for future flights
  • Excellent lounge access at LHR T5
Virgin Atlantic
23 kg economy checked
Upper Class: 2×32 kg
  • World-class Upper Class product
  • Premium Economy: 23 kg ×2
  • Hand luggage: 10 kg + laptop bag
  • Direct from Manchester to New York
American Airlines
23 kg economy checked
Flagship Business: 2×32 kg
  • Flagship Business one of the best transatlantic
  • AAdvantage miles on all flights
  • Hand luggage: 1 bag + 1 personal item
  • Extensive US domestic connections
Delta Air Lines
23 kg economy checked
Delta One: 2×32 kg
  • Delta One business class rated world-class
  • SkyMiles loyalty programme
  • Hand luggage: 1 bag + 1 personal item
  • Direct from Manchester to New York
United Airlines
23 kg economy checked
Polaris Business: 2×32 kg
  • Polaris business class: excellent value
  • Direct LHR to Newark (NYC) & Chicago
  • Hand luggage: 1 bag + 1 personal item
  • Huge US domestic network from hubs
Emirates (via Dubai)
35 kg economy checked
Business class: 40 kg
  • Best baggage allowance of any carrier
  • Connects via Dubai to NY, LA, Chicago
  • Hand luggage: 7 kg
  • Longer journey but great product
Important: US-bound flights use a piece concept — allowances above are for standard economy fares. Some cheaper economy fares exclude checked baggage. Always confirm your exact allowance at time of booking. Call +44 20 7550 8212 for advice.

ESTA & US Entry Requirements for UK Travellers

Entry requirements differ depending on whether you’re visiting as a tourist, for work or studying — check your category below

Tourist & Business Visits (ESTA)

  • UK citizens need an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) for stays up to 90 days
  • Apply at esta.cbp.dhs.gov — no embassy visit required
  • ESTA costs $21 USD and is typically approved within minutes
  • Valid for 2 years with multiple entries permitted
  • Covers tourism, business meetings, short study courses up to 90 days
  • Passport must be e-passport (biometric chip) for ESTA eligibility

Long Stays, Work & Study Visas

  • For stays over 90 days, study or employment, a US visa is required
  • Apply for a B-1/B-2 tourist/business visa via the US Embassy in London or Manchester
  • Work authorisation requires an appropriate H-1B, O-1 or L-1 visa sponsored by a US employer
  • Student visas (F-1) require acceptance at a US institution first
  • Allow 3–6 months for non-immigrant visa processing from the UK

US entry requirements can change. Always verify the latest ESTA and visa requirements at esta.cbp.dhs.gov and uk.usembassy.gov before booking your flights. TripNext does not provide immigration advice — the information above is for general guidance only.

Best Time to Book Flights to USA

Maximise your savings with our expert timing recommendations for UK to USA transatlantic flights

Best Value

Low Season

January – March · September – November

Save up to 40%
High Demand

Peak Season

Jun – Aug · Thanksgiving · Christmas

Book 8–14 weeks ahead

Optimal Booking Window

Book 8–12 weeks before departure for best rates on transatlantic USA routes

Cheapest Days to Fly

Tuesday Wednesday Thursday

Mid-week departures save up to 25% compared to weekends on transatlantic routes

Popular Flight Deals from the UK to USA

Hand-picked transatlantic fares from major UK airports with trusted global airlines

British AirwaysEconomy

LHR

London

Direct

JFK

New York

British Airways

LHR → JFK

from

£279

one-way
Virgin AtlanticEconomy

MAN

Manchester

Direct

JFK

New York

Virgin Atlantic

MAN → JFK

from

£299

one-way
American AirlinesEconomy

LHR

London

Direct

LAX

Los Angeles

American Airlines

LHR → LAX

from

£349

one-way
DeltaEconomy

LHR

London

Direct

ATL

Atlanta

Delta Air Lines

LHR → ATL

from

£295

one-way
United AirlinesEconomy

LHR

London

Direct

ORD

Chicago

United Airlines

LHR → ORD

from

£285

one-way
British AirwaysEconomy

LHR

London

Direct

MIA

Miami

British Airways

LHR → MIA

from

£339

one-way

More US Destinations from UK

The USA isn’t just New York — explore the incredible diversity of American cities and airports

Flights to New York from UK
New York City
Times Square, Central Park, Broadway, Statue of Liberty — America’s iconic gateway city.
JFK / EWR / LGA
Flights to Los Angeles from UK
Los Angeles
Hollywood, Venice Beach, Disneyland and endless California sunshine — the entertainment capital.
LAX Airport
Flights to Miami from UK
Miami
South Beach, Art Deco, cruises and year-round sunshine — Florida’s cosmopolitan playground.
MIA Airport
Flights to San Francisco from UK
San Francisco
Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Silicon Valley and world-class food — the West Coast gem.
SFO Airport
Flights to Chicago from UK
Chicago
The Windy City — stunning architecture, deep-dish pizza, world-class blues and jazz.
ORD / MDW
Flights to Las Vegas from UK
Las Vegas
The Strip, world-class shows, casinos and desert adventures — entertainment like nowhere else.
LAS Airport
Flights to Orlando from UK
Orlando
Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and SeaWorld — the world’s theme park capital for families.
MCO Airport
Flights to Boston from UK
Boston
Harvard, history, lobster rolls and beautiful New England scenery — America’s most European city.
BOS Airport

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about flights to USA from the UK

Call TripNext on +44 7478 061159, send a WhatsApp message to +44 20 3370 6756, or fill in the booking form on this page. Our transatlantic flight specialists will compare all available fares across British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines, Delta, United and more to find the best available price for your USA trip.

Virgin Atlantic and British Airways are consistently rated the best airlines on UK to USA routes for overall experience. For cheapest prices, Norse Atlantic and Aer Lingus (via Dublin with US pre-clearance) can offer excellent value. For business class, Virgin Atlantic Upper Class and British Airways Club World are among the best transatlantic products. Delta One is highly rated by frequent business travellers.

Yes. Virgin Atlantic and Delta Air Lines both operate direct flights from Manchester (MAN) to New York JFK, taking approximately 7 hours 45 minutes. This makes Manchester one of the most convenient departure airports for the northern UK to fly directly to New York without travelling to London.

London to New York direct takes approximately 7.5 hours westbound. London to Miami is around 9 to 9.5 hours. London to Chicago is 8 to 9 hours. London to Los Angeles or San Francisco takes 10 to 11 hours. Return flights (eastbound) are typically 1 to 1.5 hours shorter due to jetstream tailwinds. Total journey time depends on any layovers at connecting hubs.

January, February and March are the cheapest months for UK to USA flights — transatlantic demand is low after the Christmas and New Year period. September through November (excluding Thanksgiving) is also good value. Avoid June through August (peak summer), Thanksgiving weekend (late November) and Christmas. Choosing Tuesday or Wednesday departures saves an additional 15–25% versus weekend flights.

UK citizens need an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) for tourism and business trips up to 90 days. Apply online at esta.cbp.dhs.gov — it costs $21 USD and is valid for 2 years. You must have a biometric e-passport. For longer stays, work or study, a formal US visa from the US Embassy is required. Always check the current requirements before booking via gov.uk.

Most airlines on the UK to USA route allow one checked bag up to 23kg in standard economy. Some budget economy fares on the same airlines exclude checked bags — always check at booking. British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, American, Delta and United all follow the piece concept (1 bag, 23kg) for standard economy. Emirates allows 35kg if routing via Dubai. Confirm your allowance at time of booking.

Book US summer 2026 flights as soon as possible — ideally by April 2026 for June, July and August travel. Transatlantic fares for summer 2026 are already rising on popular routes like London to New York, Los Angeles and Miami. July 4th (Independence Day) and UK school holidays in late July and August are particularly busy. Call TripNext now to secure the best available summer fares.

USA Travel Guides & Tips

Expert transatlantic travel advice from our USA flight specialists — read before you fly

Ready to Book Your Flight to the USA?

Call, WhatsApp or submit the form — our UK-based transatlantic USA specialists are ready to find you the best fare.