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From Manhattan skylines to Californian coastlines and Arizona's red rocks, the States are one flight away. Compare fares in minutes, or call our agents and let them do the searching for you.
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Few countries pull in British travellers quite like the USA. It is close enough for a long weekend in New York, big enough for a month-long road trip, and varied enough that two people can fly out on the same day and come home with completely different stories. One returns tanned from a Florida beach, the other windswept from a canyon rim in Arizona.
The part nobody enjoys is the price comparison. Fares to the States move around constantly, and the same seat can cost very different amounts depending on the day you pick, the airport you leave from and how many stops you are willing to make. That is why we wrote this guide. Below you will find a straight-talking look at flights to USA from London and the rest of the UK: which cities to fly into, how long it takes, when fares tend to dip and what to sort out before you go.
If you are hunting for cheap flights to USA from UK airports, read on and then compare options for your own dates. And if you would rather talk it through, pick up the phone. A short call with one of our agents can turn up combinations a search box never shows you.
Where to fly
The USA is not one destination, it is dozens. Your arrival city shapes the whole trip, from the cost of getting around to what you can fit into a week. These are the airports UK travellers search for most when they look for flights from UK to USA. Pick a city, tap its link and call our agents on +44 203-836-6667. They will check live fares for your dates.
The classic first-timer's choice and usually the easiest place to find a nonstop from London. Broadway, Central Park, the High Line and a skyline that lives up to the films. Newark is a handy alternative if the fare is better.
Flights to New York from UKBeaches, hiking trails, theme parks and the best taco trucks you will ever stand in line for. It is a long haul from the UK, so a direct flight is worth paying a little extra for if you can find one.
Cheap flights to Los AngelesArt Deco streets, white-sand beaches and a gateway to the Florida Keys and the Caribbean. Many travellers pair Miami with a cruise, so it is worth checking both ends of the trip together.
Flights to Miami from UKTheme parks, sunshine and one of the busiest UK-to-US leisure routes. Family fares jump in school holidays, so book early if you are tied to those dates.
Cheap flights to Orlando from UKGolden Gate views, steep hills, great food and an easy launch pad for Yosemite and the wine country. Pair it with Los Angeles on the Pacific Coast Highway for an unforgettable road trip.
Flights to San Francisco from UKShows, buffets and desert scenery in one place. It is also the starting point for the Grand Canyon and Zion. Summer heat is serious, so spring and autumn are far more comfortable.
Cheap flights to Las VegasArchitecture boat tours, deep-dish pizza, jazz and a lakefront that feels like the seaside. A good value alternative to the coasts, with plenty of daily connections.
Flights to Chicago from UKOne of the shortest flights from Britain, which means you land with energy to spare. Walk the Freedom Trail, then head out to New England for the autumn leaves.
Cheap flights to Boston from UKFree world-class museums, monuments lit up at night and cherry blossom in spring. A compact, walkable city that works well for a long weekend or as part of an East Coast loop.
Flights to Washington DC from UKGetting there
Shorter than most people expect. London to New York takes roughly seven to eight and a half hours, and Boston is not far behind. Chicago and Washington DC sit at around eight to nine hours, Miami and Orlando nearer nine to ten, and the West Coast, including Los Angeles, San Francisco and Las Vegas, stretches to about ten and a half or eleven. Return flights are usually quicker because the jet stream pushes you east.
Most daytime departures from London land in the afternoon or evening local time, so you arrive in time for dinner and a decent night's sleep. East Coast cities are five hours behind the UK and the West Coast eight, apart from a short stretch each spring and autumn when the clocks change on different dates. Heading east on the way home is the harder direction for jet lag, so give yourself a day to recover before work.
Travelling from Manchester, Edinburgh, Birmingham or Glasgow? Direct services run from several regional airports, and a connection through London or another European hub can be cheaper. Fancy combining your trip with a neighbour? Have a look at flights to Canada for a Toronto or Vancouver add-on, or cheap flights to Jamaica if a Caribbean finish sounds good.
Save money
There is no magic trick, but after years of watching fares rise and fall a few habits reliably help anyone searching for tickets to USA from UK airports.
Moving your outbound from a Friday to a Tuesday can shave a surprising amount off the fare. If you have a week of wiggle room, price a few different dates before you decide. Midweek flights tend to be quieter, and quieter planes tend to be cheaper.
Easter, the summer school holidays, Thanksgiving week and Christmas push prices up, sometimes sharply. The shoulder seasons are your friend. You get milder weather in much of the country, shorter queues at the big attractions and noticeably more affordable seats.
New York has JFK and Newark, Washington has Dulles, and Los Angeles has several nearby options. One can easily undercut another by a good margin. Departing from Gatwick, Manchester or Edinburgh instead of Heathrow can change the picture as well, so compare rather than assume.
The USA is enormous, and doubling back costs time and money. Fly into New York and home from Boston, or into Los Angeles and out of San Francisco, and you skip a day of travel. An open-jaw ticket sometimes costs about the same as a standard return, so it is worth pricing both.
Hold luggage is not always included on the lowest fares, and domestic US flights often charge for bags too. Add up the full cost before you book rather than comparing headline prices alone.
Keep an eye out for fare drops, which can happen without warning and disappear just as fast. If you see a price you like for dates that work, it is usually wise not to sit on it for a week.
When to go
The country spans deserts, mountains, beaches and big-city winters, so the best month depends on where you are headed. This quick guide matches your dates to the region.
| Region | Best months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| New York and the North East | April to June, September to October | Mild weather, autumn colour in New England, fewer crowds than summer |
| Florida | November to April | Warm and drier. Summer is hot and humid, and hurricane season runs June to November |
| California coast | September to October, spring | Reliable sunshine, quieter beaches after the summer holidays |
| Las Vegas and the desert | March to May, October to November | Comfortable days. Summer temperatures can be extreme |
| Chicago and the Midwest | May to September | Long warm days and festival season, with cold, snowy winters |
| Washington DC | March to May, September to November | Cherry blossom in spring and pleasant walking weather in autumn |
Prices follow demand, so the months with the nicest weather are also the ones where fares climb. Think about whether you would rather save money or have perfect conditions. Often the sweet spot sits just before or just after the peak.
Before you fly
A bit of homework now saves a lot of stress at the airport. Here is what we would tick off once your ticket is booked.
Fly in comfort
A long flight is far nicer when you can stretch out. For a special occasion, or if you simply want to land fresh enough to enjoy your first day, take a look at our business class flights to USA. A lie-flat seat turns an overnight sector into something close to a proper night's sleep.
If a full business seat is out of budget, the middle ground is worth a look. Premium economy flights to USA give you more legroom, a wider seat and better service, usually for a fraction of the business fare. On a transatlantic crossing, that extra space matters more than you might expect.
Trip ideas
Not sure where to point the map? These routes are popular with UK travellers and work well with open-jaw tickets. Treat them as a starting sketch, not a rulebook.
Land in New York for four or five days, take the train to Philadelphia and Washington DC, then finish in Boston. Fly home from Boston and you never retrace your steps.
Arrive in Los Angeles, drive the coast road north through Santa Barbara and Big Sur, and end in San Francisco. A day trip to Yosemite fits in nicely before you fly home.
Start in Las Vegas, then loop through Zion, the Grand Canyon and Sedona's red rocks before returning via Los Angeles. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons.
Dream bigger
The USA is rarely a one-and-done. Plenty of our customers come back for a second trip somewhere completely different. Here is a little inspiration, in case one holiday is not enough.
Why us
We are a UK-based travel agency, and we spend our days helping people get to places like these. You can compare fares yourself in a few clicks, or you can pick up the phone and talk through your plans with someone who knows how multi-city trips fit together. Both routes lead to the same place, so use whichever suits you.
We work with airlines and travel partners to offer a wide range of options, from budget-friendly returns to open-jaw and multi-city tickets. Our agents are available 24×7, and bookings are ATOL protected (No. 12238) and subject to availability and provider terms. If you are not sure what a fare includes, ask before you pay. We would rather answer ten questions than have you surprised at the airport.
Questions
Fares change with the season, the route and how early you book, so there is no single price. School holidays, Christmas and July to August cost more, while January to March and the autumn months are usually cheaper. Run a search for your own dates, or call the team and ask them to check for you.
The cheapest weeks are often in January, February and early March, and again from late September to mid November, apart from Thanksgiving. Midweek departures are usually better value than Friday or Sunday flights.
Yes. London has nonstop flights to many major US cities, including New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco and Washington DC. Other cities need a connection, which can sometimes bring the fare down.
UK passport holders visiting for tourism or short business trips usually travel on an approved ESTA instead of a visa. Apply only through the official US government website, well before you fly, and check the latest rules and fees before you book.
Roughly seven to eight and a half hours, depending on the wind. The return flight is usually shorter, because the jet stream pushes you east.
Yes. Open-jaw tickets are popular in the USA because the distances are so big. Flying into New York and home from Boston, or into Los Angeles and home from San Francisco, saves a long backtrack.
BookForYou is an independent travel agency acting as a booking agent for third-party providers. Bookings are ATOL protected (No. 12238) and subject to availability and provider terms. If you are unsure what covers your trip, ask the team before you pay.
That depends on the airline's fare rules. Some tickets are flexible, others are non-refundable or carry a change fee. Check the fare conditions before you pay, and contact our support team if you need to make changes later.
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