When to book for the cheapest London–New York flights
Cheapest flights London to New York
Lowest return economy fares currently available. Prices include one checked bag on full-service airlines.
| Airline | Departure | Duration | Cabin | Price |
| Norse Atlantic | LGW 11:00 → JFK | 7h 55m | Economy Light | £299 |
| JetBlue | LHR T2 18:45 → JFK | 7h 45m | Core | £349 |
| British Airways | LHR T5 10:15 → JFK | 7h 30m | World Traveller | £389 |
| United | LHR T2 16:30 → EWR | 8h 05m | Economy | £395 |
| Virgin Atlantic | LHR T3 11:30 → JFK | 7h 35m | Economy Classic | £419 |
Who flies London to New York?
| Airline | Airports | Duration | Cabin | From | Baggage |
| Norse Atlantic | LGW → JFK | 7h 55m | Economy / Premium | £299 | Hand bag only on Light |
| JetBlue | LHR (T2), LGW → JFK, EWR | 7h 45m | Core / Mint | £349 | Cabin free, hold extra |
| British Airways | LHR (T5), LGW → JFK, EWR | 7h 30m | WT / WT+ / Club / First | £389 | 23kg hold included |
| United | LHR (T2) → EWR | 8h 05m | Economy / Polaris | £395 | 1 bag free on Economy+ |
| Virgin Atlantic | LHR (T3), LGW → JFK, EWR | 7h 35m | Economy / Premium / Upper | £419 | 23kg hold included |
| Delta | LHR (T3) → JFK | 7h 40m | Main / Comfort+ / Delta One | £425 | 23kg hold included |
| American Airlines | LHR (T3) → JFK | 7h 40m | Main / Flagship | £439 | 23kg hold included |
Seven airlines fly direct with 30+ daily flights. Westbound is slower (7h 30m–8h 05m) than eastbound (6h 45m) thanks to the jetstream. Business from £1,000, First £3,500–£7,500.
Best time to fly — 12-month heatmap
Cheapest months in green, peak in red. Return economy fares, including taxes.
🟢 Cheap (£299–£349) 🟡 Average (£349–£650) 🔴 Peak (£650+). June–August is summer peak; December peaks for Christmas/NYE; late November for Thanksgiving.
Alternative routes to New York
London to New York FAQs
Westbound (LON→JFK) takes 7h 30m–8h due to jetstream headwinds. Eastbound (JFK→LON) is faster at 6h 45m–7h with the jetstream tailwind. The ~45 minute difference is typical for this route and happens because the jetstream blows west-to-east across the Atlantic at 100+ mph.
Newark (United hub) is often £20–50 cheaper than JFK, and it's actually closer to Midtown Manhattan (20 minutes on NJ Transit, $15 one-way). JFK has more airline choice — BA, Virgin, Delta, AA, JetBlue — and better subway access via AirTrain (connects to E/A trains). For pure price, EWR wins; for convenience and subway access, JFK wins.
Yes. UK passport holders need an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization). Apply online at esta.cbp.dhs.gov at least 72 hours before departure. Cost is $21 (approx £17), valid for 2 years or until your passport expires. Your airline cannot board you without a valid ESTA approval — check before you pay for flights. Do NOT use third-party "ESTA services" that charge an extra £60 for the same form.
January, February and early November are cheapest — economy return from £299. Avoid June–August (summer peak), Thanksgiving week (US travellers returning, ~20 November), and 15 December – 5 January (Christmas/NYE) when fares can exceed £1,200 economy return.
JetBlue Mint is a premium cabin product on the LHR/LGW–JFK/EWR route — lie-flat bed, direct aisle access, good food, competitive amenity kit. Starting around £1,200 one-way, roughly half the cost of BA Club World or Virgin Upper Class. If you want a premium long-haul cabin on a budget, Mint is the best-value option on this route. The Mint Studio (front row with a sliding door) is a small step above and worth the upgrade if available.
Heathrow dominates with 20+ daily flights to JFK and EWR across BA (T5), Virgin (T3), American and Delta (T3), United (T2) and JetBlue (T2). Gatwick has BA, Virgin and Norse Atlantic (LGW–JFK). Stansted, Luton and London City do not fly direct to New York.