Traveling between the United States and the United Kingdom brings out a common question: How Long Is The Flight To London from New York? In addition to the locations of the airports and the types of flight, there are also other factors such as wind, that may influence the duration of the flight, but there are averages established for the flight times.
In this guide, we’ll discuss expected flight times, what may affect flight times, and what travelers may reasonably expect.
The Average Flight Time From New York To London
Most direct flights take between 630 and 730 minutes. When traveling direct from New York to London, expect the flight to take close to 7 hours.
This estimate does not include boarding time or taxi time.
Flight Time By Airport Pair
In New York and London there are a number of international airports, and based on what pair of airports you select, the flight time may vary.
Notable Routes
- JFK (New York) ‘ Heathrow (London) Flights: ~6h 45m to 7h 15m
- JFK ‘ Gatwick Flights: ~6h 50m to 7h 20m
- Newark (EWR) ‘ Heathrow Flights: ~6h 40m to 7h 10m
- JFK ‘ London City Flights: ~7h to 7h 30m
Flights from New York to London commonly land at Heathrow.
Why Flights from New York to London Currently are Faster to London than Return Flights
New York to London flights are typically shorter than London to New York flights and this is typically because of the jet stream.
Jet Stream Effect
- Flights headed to London are aided by the quickly moving jet stream
- Going forward is aided by the jet stream
- Going backwards is slowed by the jet stream
Because of this, flights to New York from London are typically 7.5 to 8.5 hours.
How Far Apart New York and London Are
New York and London are approximately 3,450 miles (5,550 kilometers) apart, and this is their straight line distance.
Commercial aircraft that fly this route have to follow paths due to:
- Air traffic control
- Weather systems
- Wind patterns
Because of these routes, even with no traffic etc, the flight time is typically 7 hours
Nonstop versus Connecting Flights
Nonstop Flights
- Most time efficient option
- Average flight time: 6.5 to 7.5 hours
- All major airlines offer daily nonstop flights
Connecting Flights
- Additional flight time of 10 to 15 hours or more
- These flights have layovers in Europe or Canada
- More cost-effective, but often less convenient
If time is the most important factor, then nonstop flights are the best option.
Airlines Operating Direct Flights from NYC to London
The major airlines that offer direct flights for this route include:
- British Airways
- Virgin Atlantic
- American Airlines
- Delta
- United Airlines
All of these airlines offer numerous daily flights; this is especially true for flights from JFK and Newark.
Influence of Aircraft Type on Flight Duration
Differences in flight time, while possible, are often negligible because of the aircraft used.
Example airline/aircraft pairings:
- United Airlines: Boeing 777
- British Airways: Boeing 787 Dreamliner
- Delta Airlines: Airbus A350
- Virgin Atlantic: Airbus A330
Updated airliners are constructed for fuel efficiency and passenger comfort, rather than speed.
Optimal Time to Depart for London from New York
Consistent flight durations apply throughout the calendar year; however, the timing of the flight departure will have an impact on your travel time.
Typical patterns:
- Evening depature from New York
- Overnight flights (red-eye flights)
- Morning arrival in London
These schedule patterns allow travelers to arrive early in the day and adjust faster.
Time Zone Difference & Travel Proximity
New York and London are in different time zones.
Time Difference:
- London is 5 hours ahead of New York.
Example:
- Depart New York at 7:00 PM
- Fly for 7 hours
- Arrive in London around 7:00 AM local time
This time shift often makes the journey feel longer than it actually is.
Taxi Time vs Total Travel Time
The stated flight duration does not include:
- Security Checks
- Boarding
- Taxiing on the runway
Total realistic travel time:
- Airport Arrival: 3 hours before departure
- Flight Time: 7 hours
- Taxi & Immigration: 1 to 2 hours
Door to door travel can take 11 to 12 hours.
Weather Effects on Flight Time
Various factors can change the duration of flights.
- Strong tailwinds (shorter flights)
- Headwinds (longer flights)
- Storm avoidance routes
Long departure delays are often the result of the weather.
Do New York to London Flights Count as Long Haul?
Yes. Flights that take between 3 to 7 hours are considered medium-long haul.
The classification breaks down like this:
- Short haul: under 3 hours
- Medium haul: 3 to 7 hours
- Long haul: 7+ hours
Flights from New York to London are on the edge of this classification.
Tips to Maintain Comfort on 7+ Hour Flights
- Walk every so often
- Drink a lot of water
- Take a seat on the aisle
- Adjust your sleep time for the arrival of your destination
- Avoid eating large meals close to landing
Following these tips will diminish feelings of fatigue and lessen your amount of jet lag.
How Long Do Flights From New York to London Take?
The average flight from New York to London takes about 7 hours of flight time.
7 hours should be used as a round amount and can depend on the circumstance. It can take between 6 hours 30 minutes to 7 hours 30 minutes.
The flight duration listed here are the same for the other direct flights that take that route regardless of the season.
Summary
- Flights are about 7 hours.
- Distance: approximately 3,450 miles.
- Flights are eastbound due to the jet stream.
- More than 1 nonstop flight every day.
- Return flights are longer.
The duration of the flight should be enough to set your expectations for the trip.
