When to book for the cheapest Dubai–London flights
Cheapest flights Dubai to London
Lowest return economy fares currently available. Full-service — one checked bag (23–25kg) and in-flight meals included.
| Airline | Departure | Aircraft | Cabin | Price |
| Emirates | DXB 02:30 → LHR T3 | A380 | Economy Saver | £319 |
| Emirates | DXB 08:15 → LGW | Boeing 777 | Economy Saver | £335 |
| British Airways | DXB 03:15 → LHR T5 | Boeing 787-9 | World Traveller | £369 |
| Emirates | DXB 14:00 → LHR T3 | A380 | Economy Flex | £399 |
| Virgin Atlantic | DXB 09:30 → LHR T3 | A350-1000 | Economy Classic | £429 |
Who flies Dubai to London?
| Airline | Airports | Duration | Cabin | From | Baggage |
| Emirates | DXB → LHR (T3), LGW, STN | 7h 45m | Saver / Flex / Business / First | £319 | 25kg hold included |
| British Airways | DXB → LHR (T5) | 7h 40m | WT / WT+ / Club / First | £369 | 23kg hold included |
| Virgin Atlantic | DXB → LHR (T3), LGW | 7h 55m | Economy / Premium / Upper | £429 | 23kg hold included |
Three direct carriers with 15+ daily flights. Emirates dominates — three A380s a day to LHR from Terminal A/B/C at DXB, plus Gatwick, Stansted, Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow direct. Business £1,900–£3,800; First (Emirates/BA) £4,800–£9,500.
Best time to fly — 12-month heatmap
Cheapest months in green, peak in red. Return economy fares.
🟢 Cheap (£319–£365) 🟡 Average (£365–£550) 🔴 Peak (£550+). Dubai summer heat (45°C) drops fares — UK residents use the summer for cheap flights to Asia via DXB stopovers.
Alternative routes from Dubai
Dubai to London FAQs
Westbound (DXB→LON) takes 7h 45m–8h 00m due to prevailing headwinds over Turkey and Europe. Eastbound (LON→DXB) is slightly shorter at 7h 10m–7h 25m. Emirates DXB–LHR uses the A380 three times daily; BA operates 787-9 Dreamliners; Virgin Atlantic uses the A350-1000.
UAE nationals (Emirati passport holders) can visit the UK visa-free for up to 6 months. From January 2025 an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) is required — apply at gov.uk/eta, cost £10, valid 2 years. Non-Emirati passport holders resident in the UAE (Indian, Pakistani, Filipino, etc.) may need a Standard Visitor Visa — check gov.uk.
Emirates lands at Heathrow Terminal 3 (three daily A380s — the flagship service), Gatwick South Terminal (one daily A380), and Stansted (one daily 777). All have good onward transport — LHR has the Elizabeth line to central London (£12.80, 40 min), Gatwick has the Gatwick Express (£19.80, 30 min), Stansted has the Stansted Express (£23, 47 min).
Yes — Emirates A380 First Class on DXB–LHR is one of the world's most celebrated products. Private suite with sliding doors, onboard showers, full-length bed, chauffeur service at both ends, dedicated First check-in and Concourse A First Lounge at DXB (with its own restaurant, spa and cigar lounge). Prices from $5,500 one-way — often much cheaper using Skywards miles (102,000 miles + taxes).
May–September is cheapest — Dubai summer heat (40–45°C) means leisure traffic thins. Returns from £319. Winter (November–March) is peak European-facing tourism with fares often £600+. December 20 – January 8 (Christmas/NYE) can exceed £900 return. Avoid UK school half terms too.
Yes — DXB is consistently rated one of the world's best transit airports. Emirates operates the Marhaba Lounge plus dedicated Business and First lounges at Concourses A (A380 only), B and C. On layovers of 8+ hours, Emirates provides free hotel vouchers to qualifying Business/First passengers (ex-rev). The DXB Metro Red Line reaches central Dubai (Downtown/Burj Khalifa) in 15 minutes for AED 8 — enough for a quick look at the Burj Khalifa if you have a 6+ hour layover.