Flying from London to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX): What you need to know
When planning your flight from London to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), you'll have a good selection of airports to jet out of. Check out London Heathrow Airport (LHR) and London Gatwick Airport (LGW) for departure options. Other possibilities include Stansted Airport (STN), London Luton Airport (LTN) and London City Airport (LCY).
The average length of a direct London to Los Angeles International Airport flight is 11 hours 20 minutes.
Los Angeles is seven hours behind London. Los Angeles International Airport is located in Los Angeles, which operates on the UTC-7 timezone.
With 60 direct flights a week between the two airports, London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the most popular route. Virgin Atlantic operates the earliest flight at 7:45am. If you prefer to get more out of your day before leaving, the latest departure from LHR to LAX is with Virgin Atlantic at 5:30pm.
Arrive at the airport on time so you don't miss your flight from London to LAX. Be there at least two hours ahead for international flights and an hour early for domestic departures to avoid the stress of rushing.
Heading off during a peak time like public or school holidays? Expect longer queues at check-in and security. Give yourself extra leeway and arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
Airports in London
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
London Heathrow Airport (LHR) offers an easy route to your destination. Nonstop flights from London to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) can be booked from this terminal.
Top carriers that offer direct flights from London to Los Angeles International Airport leaving from LHR include:
The majority of travellers choose to fly with British Airways between LHR and LAX.
Among carriers operating on this route, United Airlines has the best record for on-time arrivals.
We make it easy to book cheap flights from London to LAX with a stopover. To explore your options leaving from London Heathrow Airport (LHR), deselect 'Direct flights only.' Then, select a flight that has a stop long enough to tour your chosen city. Popular stopovers between LHR and LAX include:
Denver International Airport (DEN)
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
Harry Reid Airport (formerly McCarran Airport) (LAS)
LHR is around 31 kilometres from central London. If you're catching a cab, driving or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take 55 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions. If you're taking public transport, expect the journey time to be around 1 hour.
Want a relaxed start to your travels? Stay near London Heathrow Airport. Whether you have an early flight from London to Los Angeles International Airport or prefer not to feel hurried, these hotels are just the thing:
Of all flights departing from London Heathrow Airport, 68.18% arrive on time at their destination.
London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
Catching a flight out of London Gatwick Airport (LGW)? Direct London to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) plane tickets are available from this popular hub.
Norse Atlantic UK has direct flights from London to LAX leaving from LGW. Book your favourite aisle (or window) seat and reach your destination in one go.
Norse Atlantic UK is the most popular choice for travellers flying from LGW to LAX.
Make the most of your holiday with a stopover on your flight from London to Los Angeles International Airport. Check out these connections between London Gatwick Airport and LAX:
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
Harry Reid Airport (formerly McCarran Airport) (LAS)
Dublin Airport (DUB)
LGW is about 80 kilometres from central London. It'll take 1 hour 20 minutes or so to get to the airport driving from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 30 minutes.
Start your holiday early with an additional night away from home. Before your London to LAX flight, stay in one of these hotels near London Gatwick Airport:
69.26% of flights departing London Gatwick Airport stick to their scheduled arrival time.
Stansted Airport (STN)
Choosing a plane ticket from London to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) with one or more stops can offer you more departure time choices and access to better fares. When jetting off from Stansted Airport (STN), here are a few places you can detour to on your way to LAX:
Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD)
Dublin Airport (DUB)
Copenhagen Airport (CPH)
From central London, STN is around 64 kilometres away. It'll take you roughly 1 hour to get to the airport by car and 1 hour 25 minutes or so if you're on public transport.
Sleep a little longer, move a little slower, and still make your London to Los Angeles International Airport flight with time to spare. These accommodation options near Stansted Airport make getting to the terminal a breeze if you're jetting off early:
Flights departing from STN touch down at their destination within the scheduled time frame 64.73% of the time.
About Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Have a late flight from London to Los Angeles International Airport? Don't let it hijack your sleep schedule. Check in to one of these hotels near LAX and turn out the lights sooner:
Pick up a Los Angeles International Airport rental car and discover Los Angeles and beyond with your own wheels. Dollar, Thrifty and Hertz are leading providers you can book with here.
Booking your vehicle around one week in advance of your London to Los Angeles International Airport flight can help you secure the lowest rate.
You'll find LAX at One World Way.
Getting from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to central Los Angeles
The centre of Los Angeles is roughly 19 kilometres from Los Angeles International Airport. Journey times by cab or car hire will vary based on time of day and traffic conditions, so do some research before your trip.
If you're using public transport, expect a journey of roughly 55 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from London to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Currently, R 4,978 is the lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from London to Los Angeles International Airport. The cheapest price for a return flight is R 7,258. Keep in mind fares may change due to demand at the time of booking.
To pick up cheap flights from London to LAX, book in advance. Airlines tend to offer the most competitive fares when tickets are first released.
If you can be flexible with your travel plans, try using the 'Whole month' tool. It'll give you the cheapest price across each month when searching for your London to Los Angeles International Airport ticket.
Snapping up a cheap plane ticket from London to LAX couldn't be easier with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll notify you as soon as there's a price drop.
Tailor your travel plans using filters. Choose your arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' flights from London to Los Angeles International Airport.
The best time to fly from London to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
It's time to work out your travel dates for your flight from London to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). July is the busiest month to visit Los Angeles. If you like your getaways a little more chill, go in May.
Book a London to LAX plane ticket departing in August if you're eager to experience the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in Los Angeles to range from 16ºC (61ºF) to 32ºC (90ºF).
February sees temperatures of between 6ºC (43ºF) and 26ºC (79ºF). Look for cheap tickets from London to Los Angeles International Airport around that time if you'd rather travel in cooler conditions.
More about Los Angeles
Start your Los Angeles trip right by choosing the perfect place to stay. After booking your flight from London to Los Angeles International Airport, browse our selection of hotels including:
Your Los Angeles trip wouldn't be complete without a bit of sightseeing. Top attractions that should be on your list include Hollywood Sign, Griffith Observatory and Hollywood Bowl.
Explore more of the United States
You've visited Los Angeles, now it's time to explore other parts of the United States. Travel about 177 kilometres south-east to San Diego to check off its must-visit sights. From San Diego Zoo to San Diego Balboa Park and USS Midway Museum, your itinerary will be busy.
If there's time to check out another major stop in the United States, head for Bakersfield, roughly 161 kilometres north of Los Angeles. Kern County Museum, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park and BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir are key reasons to visit.