Best Airlines UK to USA: Quick Comparison
| Airline | Best For | Direct UK-USA? | Main UK Airports |
|---|---|---|---|
| British Airways | Largest direct network | Yes | LHR, LGW |
| Virgin Atlantic | Direct flights & premium travel | Yes | LHR, MAN, EDI |
| United Airlines | US network & connections | Yes | LHR, EDI |
| American Airlines | US network & Oneworld | Yes | LHR |
| Delta Air Lines | US network & SkyTeam | Yes | LHR |
| JetBlue | Competitive fares to New York/Boston | Yes | LHR, LGW |
| Alaska Airlines | Seattle / West Coast connections | Yes | LHR |
| Norse Atlantic | Low-cost long-haul options | Yes | LGW |
Routes and frequencies change regularly, and some services are seasonal — always confirm current schedules directly with the airline or on our flights to USA page before booking.
British Airways: UK to USA
British Airways markets more direct UK-USA routes than any other airline, connecting London Heathrow and Gatwick with major cities including New York, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington, Houston, Dallas, Las Vegas, Orlando and Atlanta. Its scale and long-standing transatlantic presence make it a reliable default choice, particularly for travellers wanting maximum schedule flexibility and Avios reward availability.
Compare British Airways alongside other carriers on our flights to New York, flights to Los Angeles, or flights to Miami pages.
Virgin Atlantic: UK to USA
Virgin Atlantic has one of the strongest transatlantic identities of any UK carrier, with a 2026 network spanning New York, Boston, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Miami, Orlando, San Francisco, Seattle, Tampa and Washington, flown from London and Manchester, plus selected other UK gateways. Virgin has said it operates more flights from the UK to Los Angeles than any other airline, making it a particularly strong choice for West Coast travel, alongside its well-regarded Upper Class premium cabin.
Compare Virgin Atlantic fares on our flights to Los Angeles, flights to San Francisco, or flights to Seattle pages.
United Airlines: UK to USA
United's Heathrow (and, at times, Edinburgh) departures connect directly to Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington, making it particularly valuable for travellers heading beyond the coastal gateway cities into United's extensive US domestic network. Its Polaris business class is a strong option for premium transatlantic travel.
Compare United on our flights to Houston or flights to San Francisco pages.
American Airlines: UK to USA
American Airlines flies from London Heathrow to a wide spread of US cities including New York, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Miami, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Charlotte and Raleigh, with its Oneworld alliance membership (shared with British Airways) offering broad onward connectivity across the US domestic network.
Compare American Airlines on our flights to Dallas or flights to Philadelphia pages.
Delta Air Lines: UK to USA
Delta operates a substantial transatlantic network from London to destinations including New York, Boston, Atlanta, Detroit, Minneapolis, Seattle, Salt Lake City and Las Vegas. Delta's transatlantic joint venture with Virgin Atlantic further increases connectivity for travellers moving between the two carriers' networks, with Delta One offering a well-regarded business class product.
Compare Delta on our flights to New York or flights to Seattle pages.
JetBlue: UK to USA
JetBlue operates nonstop flights from London Heathrow to Boston and New York, with seasonal Gatwick-Boston service, positioning itself as a competitively priced alternative to the larger legacy carriers, including its well- regarded Mint business class product for travellers wanting a premium option at a lower price point.
Compare JetBlue on our flights to Boston or flights to New York pages.
Alaska Airlines: UK to USA
Alaska Airlines operates a nonstop London Heathrow to Seattle service, making it a useful option specifically for Pacific Northwest and onward West Coast connections through its Seattle hub.
Compare on our flights to Seattle page.
Norse Atlantic: UK to USA
Norse Atlantic operates low-cost long-haul flights from London Gatwick to New York (seasonal) and Orlando, offering a genuine budget alternative on the transatlantic route. As with other low-cost carriers, baggage and extras are typically priced separately from the base fare, so compare the full cost against full-service alternatives before assuming it's the cheaper option overall.
One-Stop Alternatives: More Airlines Connecting the UK and USA
Beyond the direct carriers above, several European airlines offer one-stop UK-USA connections worth comparing, particularly for cities not served nonstop from the UK.
- Aer Lingus: connects UK cities (including Manchester to New York and Orlando) via Dublin, with the added benefit of US preclearance, letting you clear US immigration before departure.
- Icelandair: routes via Reykjavik from London, Manchester and Edinburgh, with the option to add a free stopover in Iceland.
- Air France: connects via Paris from London and Manchester.
- KLM: routes via Amsterdam from London and Manchester.
- Lufthansa: connects via Frankfurt or Munich from London, Manchester and Edinburgh.
- Finnair: routes via Helsinki, including from Edinburgh, offering a more northerly connection option.
- TAP Air Portugal: connects via Lisbon from London and Manchester.
Best Airline by Route
Best airline from London to New York
British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines, Delta and JetBlue all fly nonstop from Heathrow, with Norse Atlantic adding a low-cost Gatwick option — five-plus airlines competing on one route makes this the most comparison-worthy UK-USA journey of all. Compare live fares on our flights to New York page.
Best airline from London to Boston
British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines, Delta and JetBlue all serve London-Boston nonstop. See our flights to Boston page.
Best airline from London to Los Angeles
British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, United and American Airlines all connect London with Los Angeles, with Virgin Atlantic noted for operating more UK-LA flights than any other carrier. Compare on our flights to Los Angeles page.
Best airline from London to San Francisco
British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and United all fly nonstop London-San Francisco. See our flights to San Francisco page.
Best airline from London to Miami
British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and American Airlines all serve London-Miami nonstop. Compare on our flights to Miami page.
Best airline from London to Houston
British Airways and United both operate direct London-Houston flights. See our flights to Houston page.
Best airline from London to Dallas
British Airways and American Airlines both fly direct London-Dallas. Compare on our flights to Dallas page.
Best airline from London to Philadelphia
American Airlines operates direct London-Philadelphia flights — see our flights to Philadelphia page.
Best airline from London to Seattle
British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Delta and Alaska Airlines all serve London-Seattle. Compare on our flights to Seattle page.
Other major routes: Chicago, Orlando, Las Vegas, Washington & Atlanta
British Airways, American Airlines and United all serve Chicago; British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Norse Atlantic serve Orlando; British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, American and Delta serve Las Vegas; British Airways, United and Virgin Atlantic serve Washington DC; and British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Delta serve Atlanta. Compare all routes on our flights to USA page.
Manchester, Edinburgh & Glasgow to USA
Manchester to USA
Manchester has been the UK's strongest regional gateway to the USA, with Virgin Atlantic historically the primary nonstop operator to New York, Orlando and Atlanta, plus seasonal Las Vegas service. This matters for North West travellers who don't want to add a trip to London on top of an already long transatlantic journey — always confirm current Manchester routes before booking, since regional schedules shift more often than Heathrow's.
Edinburgh to USA
Edinburgh has offered seasonal and route-dependent nonstop USA service in recent years, including New York connections — check current airline schedules directly, since Edinburgh's transatlantic network is smaller and more seasonal than London's or Manchester's.
Glasgow to USA
Glasgow has a much smaller direct USA network than Heathrow or Manchester, with typically one core nonstop destination when service operates — for most other US cities, Glasgow travellers connect via London or another UK hub.
Compare every route from your nearest airport on our flights to USA page.
Which London Airport Is Best for Flights to the USA?
| Factor | Heathrow | Gatwick |
|---|---|---|
| US destinations | Much larger (around 32 nonstop) | Smaller, more focused |
| Direct airlines | British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, United, American, Delta, JetBlue, Alaska | British Airways, JetBlue (seasonal), Norse Atlantic |
| New York | Multiple full-service airlines | Norse Atlantic (low-cost, seasonal) |
| Orlando | Yes | Yes |
| Boston | Yes | JetBlue (seasonal) |
| Connections | Excellent — largest UK hub | Good — more limited network |
Heathrow offers by far the widest choice for USA travel, but Gatwick is genuinely worth checking for value, particularly with Norse Atlantic's low-cost transatlantic model — compare both for your specific route and dates.
Which Airline Is Cheapest from the UK to the USA?
Rather than a fixed promise, treat this as a comparison methodology. Fare depends on:
- Departure airport — Heathrow nonstop fares compete against Gatwick and regional options.
- Destination — competition varies significantly by city.
- Travel dates — summer, Thanksgiving and Christmas cost significantly more.
- Season — shoulder months typically offer better value.
- Direct vs connecting — sometimes, but not always, cheaper to connect.
- Baggage — a cheaper headline fare with less baggage may not be better overall value.
- Fare class — economy, premium economy and business class pricing structures differ by airline.
- Day of week and booking timing — both affect price on every route.
Direct or One-Stop: Which Is Better for USA Flights?
| Direct — best for | One-stop — best for |
|---|---|
| Business travellers | Lower fares on some routes |
| Families | More regional UK departure points |
| Elderly travellers | More US destinations reached |
| Shorter total journey | Flexible schedules |
| Simplicity | Preclearance option (Aer Lingus via Dublin) |
The cheapest option isn't always the nonstop flight — comparing both on your exact dates remains the most reliable approach, particularly for smaller US cities without nonstop UK service.
Which Airline Has the Best Baggage Allowance from UK to USA?
| Airline | Economy Baggage | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| British Airways | Fare-dependent — verify at booking | Families |
| Virgin Atlantic | Fare-dependent — verify at booking | Premium travel |
| United / American / Delta | Fare-dependent — verify at booking | US connections |
| JetBlue | Fare-dependent — verify at booking | Value with flexibility |
| Norse Atlantic | Typically charged separately from base fare | Low base fares |
Baggage allowances change by fare class and route — always verify your specific ticket's allowance before booking, particularly on low-cost carriers where checked baggage is often an optional extra.
Best Airline by Traveller Type
Best airline for families
Nonstop carriers with clear baggage policies — British Airways and Virgin Atlantic — are often preferred by families wanting to minimise connections. See our family travel tips for more guidance.
Best airline for students
Ask specifically about student and youth fares when comparing options — availability and baggage extras vary by airline and route.
Best airline for business class
British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, United, American, Delta and JetBlue all offer business or premium products — Virgin Atlantic's Upper Class, Delta One and JetBlue Mint are particularly well regarded for the price point.
Best premium economy
British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, United (Premium Plus), American and Delta (Premium Select) all offer a premium economy tier worth comparing for travellers wanting extra comfort without a full business class fare.
Airline vs Airline: Head-to-Head
British Airways vs Virgin Atlantic
British Airways offers a substantially wider direct US network; Virgin Atlantic focuses on fewer routes with a strong premium cabin reputation. Choose BA for network breadth, Virgin for cabin experience.
British Airways vs United
British Airways serves more East and West Coast gateway cities directly; United's strength is onward US domestic connectivity via its major hubs.
British Airways vs American Airlines
Both are Oneworld partners with strong network overlap — British Airways generally offers more UK departure flexibility, American a broader US domestic reach on arrival.
Virgin Atlantic vs Delta
These two operate a transatlantic joint venture, so their networks complement each other — Virgin for the flight itself, Delta for deep US domestic connections beyond the gateway city.
United vs American Airlines
United's hub network favours Chicago, Denver and San Francisco-bound connections; American's favours Dallas, Charlotte and Philadelphia — the better choice depends on your final US destination.
JetBlue vs Virgin Atlantic
JetBlue offers a lower-cost alternative on New York and Boston routes with a strong Mint business product; Virgin Atlantic offers a wider network and a more traditional full-service premium experience.
Norse Atlantic vs British Airways
Norse offers a genuine low-cost base fare from Gatwick; British Airways offers a larger network, included baggage on standard fares, and more schedule flexibility — compare the full cost, not just the headline fare.
Best Airlines from USA to UK
Every airline covered above also operates the reverse USA-to-UK direction, giving US-based travellers the same range of direct and connecting choices.
New York to London
British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines, Delta, JetBlue and Norse Atlantic all fly nonstop New York-London — compare on our flights to New York page.
Boston, Los Angeles, Miami, San Francisco & Seattle to London
The same carriers serving these cities from the UK also operate the return direction — see our flights to Boston, flights to Los Angeles, flights to Miami, flights to San Francisco and flights to Seattle pages for full route options.
How Long Is the Flight from UK to USA?
| Route | Typical Nonstop Duration |
|---|---|
| London → New York | ~7–8 hours |
| London → Boston | ~7 hours |
| London → Chicago | ~8–9 hours |
| London → Miami | ~9–10 hours |
| London → Atlanta | ~9 hours |
| London → Los Angeles | ~11 hours |
| London → San Francisco | ~11 hours |
| London → Seattle | ~10 hours |
Actual flight times vary by exact route, aircraft and prevailing winds — treat these as a general planning guide.
Cheapest Months to Fly from UK to USA
Fares generally rise around UK and US school summer holidays, Thanksgiving and the Christmas/New Year period, while January, February and the September-November shoulder season tend to offer better value. Rather than treating any single month as a fixed rule, compare fares across your flexible dates each time you're ready to book — pricing shifts by destination, airline and year.
At a Glance: Which Airline Should You Compare First?
| If you want... | Start by comparing |
|---|---|
| Cheapest fare | JetBlue, Norse Atlantic, BA, Virgin + one-stop options |
| Direct flight | BA, Virgin, United, American, Delta |
| New York | BA, Virgin, American, Delta, JetBlue, Norse |
| Los Angeles / West Coast | BA, Virgin, United, American |
| Chicago | BA, American, United |
| Miami | BA, Virgin, American |
| Best UK regional option | Virgin Atlantic (Manchester) + connecting airlines |
| Business class | BA, Virgin, United, American, Delta |
| Families | Direct flights + baggage-focused comparison |
| Seattle | BA, Virgin, Delta, Alaska |
How We Compare UK–USA Airlines
Airlines on this page are assessed on direct route availability, US destination coverage, UK airport coverage, schedule frequency, fare competitiveness, baggage policy, cabin options, connection quality and suitability for different traveller types. Airline schedules, routes and pricing change regularly — always check current availability directly with the airline or on our flights to USA page before booking.
Explore Every UK to USA Route
Frequently asked questions
What is the best airline from the UK to the USA?
There is no single best airline for every traveller. British Airways offers the largest direct UK-USA network, Virgin Atlantic is strong for premium nonstop travel, United, American and Delta offer extensive US domestic connections, and JetBlue and Norse Atlantic are worth comparing for competitive fares.
Which airline is cheapest from the UK to the USA?
No airline is consistently cheapest on every date and route. Fares depend on departure airport, destination, travel dates, season, baggage, fare class and booking timing — comparing multiple airlines for your specific trip is the most reliable way to find the lowest fare.
Which airline has the best direct flights to the USA?
British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, United, American Airlines, Delta and JetBlue all operate nonstop UK-USA flights from London, with British Airways offering the widest range of direct US destinations of any UK-based carrier.
What is the best airline from London to New York?
British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines, Delta and JetBlue all fly nonstop London-New York from Heathrow, with Norse Atlantic offering an additional low-cost option from Gatwick — comparing all of them on your dates is the best way to choose.
What is the cheapest airline from London to New York?
Norse Atlantic and JetBlue are often worth checking for competitive London-New York fares, though pricing changes constantly by date and demand — always compare all available airlines rather than assuming one is fixed as cheapest.
Which airlines fly direct from London to the USA?
British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, United, American Airlines, Delta, JetBlue, Alaska Airlines and Norse Atlantic all operate nonstop flights between London and the USA, collectively covering around 32 US destinations from Heathrow and Gatwick combined.
Which airlines fly direct from Manchester to the USA?
Virgin Atlantic has been the primary nonstop operator from Manchester to the USA, with routes including New York, Orlando and Atlanta, plus seasonal Las Vegas service — always confirm current routes before booking, since schedules change.
Is British Airways better than Virgin Atlantic for the USA?
British Airways offers a substantially larger direct US network from Heathrow and Gatwick, while Virgin Atlantic is known for a strong premium cabin experience on its more focused route list — the better choice depends on your destination and cabin priorities.
Is United better than American Airlines?
Both offer strong US domestic connections from their respective hubs. United tends to route via Chicago, Denver, Houston and San Francisco, while American routes via Dallas, Charlotte and Philadelphia — the better choice depends on your final US destination.
Is Delta better than Virgin Atlantic?
Delta and Virgin Atlantic operate a transatlantic joint venture, so their networks are closely linked. Delta offers a wide US domestic network via Atlanta and other hubs, while Virgin Atlantic is often preferred for its premium cabin experience on core nonstop routes.
Which airline has the best baggage allowance to the USA?
Baggage allowance varies significantly by airline and fare class, so always verify your specific ticket. Full-service carriers like British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, United, American and Delta generally include a standard checked allowance on international economy fares, while low-cost options like Norse Atlantic often charge separately for checked baggage.
What is the best airline for families travelling to the USA?
Nonstop carriers with generous baggage allowances, such as British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, are often preferred by families wanting to minimise connections, though comparing total journey cost including baggage across all options remains worthwhile.
What is the best airline for students travelling to the USA?
Students should specifically compare fare flexibility and baggage allowance across airlines, since some carriers and travel agents offer discounted student fares with extra luggage allowance for valid student ID holders.
What is the best airline for business class to the USA?
British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, United, American Airlines, Delta and JetBlue all offer business or premium cabin products on UK-USA routes — Virgin Atlantic's Upper Class, Delta One, and JetBlue Mint are particularly well regarded, though comparing specific fares for your dates is recommended.
What is the cheapest month to fly from the UK to the USA?
January, February, September, October and November tend to offer better value than peak summer, Thanksgiving and Christmas periods on UK-USA routes, though exact pricing varies by destination and year, so comparing live fares for your specific dates is the most reliable approach.
When is the best time to book USA flights?
There's no single magic booking window — monitoring fares across a few months ahead of travel and staying flexible on dates tends to work better than waiting for a specific number of days before departure.
Is it cheaper to fly direct or with a stopover?
It depends on the route and dates. One-stop options via European or connecting hubs can sometimes undercut a nonstop fare, particularly to smaller US cities not served directly from the UK, so comparing both is worthwhile.
Which UK airport has the cheapest flights to the USA?
This varies by date and destination rather than one fixed airport. London Heathrow offers the widest direct choice, London Gatwick includes value options like Norse Atlantic, and regional airports like Manchester, Edinburgh and Glasgow offer more limited but sometimes competitively priced direct or one-stop routes.
Which UK airports have direct flights to the USA?
London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Manchester, Edinburgh and Glasgow are the main UK airports offering nonstop USA flights, collectively serving around 32 US destinations, while many other UK airports offer one-stop access to a much wider range of US cities.
How long is the flight from London to New York?
A direct London-New York flight typically takes around 7 to 8 hours, depending on the airline, aircraft and prevailing winds.
How long is the flight from London to Los Angeles?
A direct London-Los Angeles flight typically takes around 11 hours, among the longer nonstop UK-USA routes given the West Coast distance.
Which airlines fly from USA to UK?
The same airlines operating UK-USA routes — British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, United, American Airlines, Delta, JetBlue, Alaska Airlines and Norse Atlantic — also operate the reverse USA-to-UK direction with equivalent route choice.
What is the best airline from USA to London?
The best airline from the USA to London depends on your departure city and priorities, with British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines, Delta and United all offering nonstop service from major US cities to London.
Does Manchester have direct flights to the USA?
Yes, Manchester has historically had nonstop USA flights, primarily with Virgin Atlantic, to destinations including New York, Orlando and Atlanta, with seasonal Las Vegas service — always confirm current routes before booking since these can change.
Does Edinburgh have direct flights to the USA?
Edinburgh has offered seasonal or route-dependent nonstop USA service in recent years, including connections to cities such as New York — check current schedules directly, since Edinburgh's transatlantic network is smaller and more seasonal than London's.
Is Norse Atlantic a good option for cheap USA flights?
Norse Atlantic can offer competitive low-cost fares from London Gatwick to select US destinations including New York and Orlando, though as a low-cost carrier its baggage and other services are typically priced separately — compare the full cost against full-service carriers before assuming it's cheaper.
What's the best airline for West Coast destinations like Los Angeles and San Francisco?
British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, United and American Airlines all serve West Coast cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco from London, with Virgin Atlantic noted for operating a particularly large number of UK-Los Angeles flights.