11 Best Airlines to Fly to London in 2026 (Tested Over 50+ Flights)

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I’ve flown to London more times than I can count – from Boston on Aer Lingus and Icelandair, JFK on JetBlue Mint, and pretty much every legacy carrier in between. After years of crossing the Atlantic and tracking route launches, fleet upgrades, and loyalty program changes, I’ve put together this guide to the 11 best airlines flying from the US to London right now.

You’ll find the obvious choices like British Airways, Delta, and United, but also newer options worth knowing about – Alaska Airlines launching in May 2026, Norse Atlantic for budget travelers, and the stopover plays through Dublin and Reykjavik that turn your flight into two trips. If you’re chasing lie-flat seats on points or just want the cheapest nonstop from your home airport, I’ll share who actually delivers and who’s coasting on reputation.

#1 tip to find cheap flights to London

Before we get into the airlines, a quick note on finding cheap fares. I use Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights), and it’s saved me thousands over the years. You sign up, set your home airport, and they email you when fares drop significantly. Mistake fares, flash sales, the works. Recently I snagged a $299 roundtrip from Boston to London in June. That’s not a typo!

The free version is solid, but the $49/year premium tier pays for itself with a single deal. And if you’re hunting for business class bargains, the Elite tier is how I saved over $5,000 in 2025. One discounted lie-flat seat and you’ve covered the membership ten times over.

1. British Airways

• 🏠 Base: London Heathrow (LHR), with lots of service from London Gatwick too
• ✈️ Best For: The widest range of nonstop US to London flights, plus smooth connections onward
• 💺 Cabin Options: Economy, Premium Economy, Business, and First, with newer Club Suite seats on some planes
• 🧳 Baggage Policy: One free checked bag on transatlantic routes
• 💳 Loyalty Program: British Airways Executive Club (Avios)
• 🧠 Pro Tip: Transfer Amex or Chase points to Avios for solid redemptions, and watch for “Reward Flight Saver” promos

British Airways is the airline I keep coming back to for London. Not because it’s always the cheapest, but because it tends to deliver where it counts. If you want nonstop options from the US, BA is hard to beat, and St Louis joining the network in April is a great example of how broad that map is getting.

What’s genuinely exciting right now is the upgrade wave. BA has signed on for Starlink, with free fast Wi-Fi planned across every cabin as the rollout starts next year, which is a big deal if you’ve ever paid for spotty onboard internet and regretted it. And if you’ve been hoarding Avios, the new First suite debuting mid year on the refreshed A380s is the kind of change that actually feels worth saving for.

On the practical side, the Club Suite in business is still one of my favourite ways to cross the Atlantic when you get it. I also like that BA is boosting frequency on routes people actually use, like Miami going back to twice daily and Dallas returning with daily service for the summer schedule. More flights usually means better timings and better award availability, so I always check BA early when I’m price hunting.

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2. 🇺🇸 American Airlines

• 🏠 Base: Dallas Fort Worth (DFW)
• ✈️ Best For: Loads of nonstop options to London, plus easy one stop trips from smaller US airports
• 💺 Cabin Options: Economy, Premium Economy, Business, and First on select aircraft
• 🧳 Baggage Policy: One free checked bag on transatlantic routes
• 💳 Loyalty Program: AAdvantage
• 🧠 Pro Tip: Join AAdvantage before you fly, even if you’ve never cared about points. Free Wi-Fi is rolling out in January 2026 and it’s tied to membership.

American Airlines operates more flights to London Heathrow than any other US carrier, with nonstops from Dallas, Miami, Chicago, Philadelphia, New York, Charlotte, and Los Angeles. If you’re based near an AA hub, chances are you have a direct option to London. That convenience alone keeps me checking their fares first.

The big news for 2026 is the Flagship Suite rollout. These are proper business class suites with closing doors, lie flat beds, and a 17.5 inch screen. I flew the new 787-9P configuration earlier this year and the difference from the old seats is night and day. American is also bringing these suites to the A321XLR, which just launched service between JFK and LA, with Edinburgh starting March 2026.

All AAdvantage members now get complimentary high speed inflight Wi-Fi on about 90% of the fleet. AA had been charging up to $29 a flight while Delta and JetBlue offered it free, so this is a welcome change. The catch is that widebody jets to London with Panasonic systems are not included yet.

I find AA’s AAdvantage program underrated for London flights. You can book BA operated flights with AA miles, often with lower fees than booking directly through Avios. Keep an eye on their partner award availability, especially during off peak seasons.

• Read next: American Airlines First Class Guide

3. 🇺🇸 JetBlue Airways

• 🏠 Base: New York (JFK) and Boston (BOS)
• ✈️ Best For: A more modern feeling flight to London, especially if you want a step up without going full luxury
• 💺 Cabin Options: Core (Economy), Mint (Business Class)
• 🧳 Baggage Policy: Depends on fare type; Blue Basic has no free checked bag
• 💳 Loyalty Program: TrueBlue
• 🧠 Pro Tip: Book Mint Studio in row one for extra space and a buddy seat. It’s only about $299 more and worth every penny on an overnight flight.

JetBlue changed the London conversation when it started flying across the Atlantic, and it’s still one of the best value options out there. If you’re looking for the best ways to fly to London from the U.S., this is one I’d put near the top of your shortlist. They fly year round from JFK and Boston to London Heathrow, and you’ll also see seasonal flights to Gatwick.

Mint is the reason people rave about JetBlue, and I get it. On the A321LR, JetBlue’s Mint business class is a one to one layout with lie flat suites, so you’re not stepping over anyone and you get a real sense of personal space. The food is excellent, the vibe is relaxed, and the free Wi-Fi is the kind of perk you’ll use without thinking twice.

Another update worth knowing is the lounge situation. JetBlue opened BlueHouse at JFK Terminal 5 in late 2025, and Boston is due to follow in mid 2026, which is great if you like arriving early and settling in. If you’re booking Mint, I’d also keep an eye on JetBlue’s growing Europe network from Boston, since it can make a multi city trip feel doable without turning your week into an airport marathon.

• Read next: JetBlue Mint Class Guide
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• For more reading: JetBlue Winter Sale

4. 🇺🇸 United Airlines

• 🏠 Base: Big hubs in Newark, San Francisco, Chicago, Houston, and Washington Dulles
• ✈️ Best For: Widest US hub coverage to London with strong Star Alliance connections
• 💺 Cabin Options: Economy, Premium Plus (Premium Economy), Polaris (Business Class)
• 🧳 Baggage Policy: One free checked bag on transatlantic routes
• 💳 Loyalty Program: MileagePlus
• 🧠 Pro Tip: If Wi-Fi matters, join MileagePlus before you fly. United’s free Starlink Wi-Fi is rolling out and membership is the key that unlocks it when your plane has it.

United flies to London Heathrow from more US cities than any other American carrier. Newark alone operates over 2,500 flights to Heathrow annually, which makes it the airline’s busiest international route. You can also fly direct from Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Washington Dulles, Houston, Denver, and Boston. If you’re not near a BA or AA hub, United probably has you covered.

The big upgrade for 2026 is the new Polaris Suite on incoming Boeing 787-9s. Every seat now has a privacy door, a 19 inch 4K OLED screen, and lie flat capability. The front row features Polaris Studio, which is 25% larger and includes a companion ottoman for buddy dining. First routes with the new cabin will be San Francisco to London and Singapore in early 2026.

Starlink Wi-Fi is the other headline. United is rolling it out across its entire fleet, with regional jets already equipped and mainline 737s following from October 2025. It’s free for all MileagePlus members and genuinely fast. I tested it recently and got speeds over 200 Mbps, which is better than my home internet!

The Polaris lounge at Newark is worth arriving early for if you’re flying business class. Great food, proper showers, and a calmer atmosphere than the general terminal chaos. Access is included for all Polaris passengers on international itineraries.

• Read next: United Airlines First Class Review: Is it Worth It in 2026?

5. 🇺🇸 Delta Air Lines

• 🏠 Base: Atlanta (ATL), with London flying out of hubs like New York JFK, Boston, Detroit, Minneapolis, and Seattle
• ✈️ Best For: A premium feel to London if you’re in a Delta hub city, plus a great Heathrow lounge setup
• 💺 Cabin Options: Main Cabin, Comfort+, Premium Select (Premium Economy), Delta One (Business Class)
• 🧳 Baggage Policy: One free checked bag on transatlantic routes
• 💳 Loyalty Program: SkyMiles
• 🧠 Pro Tip: Transfer Chase, Amex, or Capital One points to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club and book Delta flights for 10,000 to 15,000 points instead of 60,000+ SkyMiles.

Delta is brilliant to London when you pick the right plane. On the A350 and A330-900neo, Delta One Suites give you a door, a lie flat bed, and a noticeably more modern setup. On some older widebodies, the business cabin can feel dated by comparison. I treat the aircraft type as the deal breaker.

The best reason to choose Delta over United or JetBlue is what happens at Heathrow. Delta and Virgin Atlantic operate from Terminal 3, and Delta One passengers can use the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, which is a proper treat before an overnight flight. If you like starting the trip calm and fed, this is one of the best lounge situations in London.

The trade off is nonstop coverage. Delta doesn’t serve Heathrow from as many US cities as United or American, so you might need a connection even when someone else can fly you direct. The upside is SkyMiles members now get free Wi-Fi on transatlantic flights, and Delta One food is genuinely strong by US airline standard. When the routing works, it’s a really satisfying way to cross the Atlantic.

• Read next: Cheapest Airlines in Europe

6. 🇦🇪 Emirates Airlines

• 🏠 Base: Dubai (DXB), with a huge London Heathrow presence
• ✈️ Best For: Travelers combining London with a Dubai stopover, or anyone chasing the A380 experience
• 💺 Cabin Options: Economy, Premium Economy, Business Class, First Class
• 🧳 Baggage Policy: Two free checked bags in Economy
• 💳 Loyalty Program: Emirates Skywards
• 🧠 Pro Tip: The iconic A380 bar is only available on A380 flights. Check your aircraft type before booking if that experience matters to you.

Emirates is the obvious choice if you’re flying to London from the Middle East, Indian subcontinent, or Southeast Asia. Dubai is one of the world’s best connected hubs, and Emirates operates 90 weekly flights to London’s three airports. From the US it’s a different calculation. Every flight connects through Dubai, which turns a 7 hour trip into 15+ hours. That’s a hard sell when JetBlue, United, and British Airways will get you there direct.

But Emirates keeps coming up in conversations about flying to London because people love the A380, the onboard bar, the shower suites in first class. It’s theatre, and sometimes that’s exactly what you want. I think Emirates makes most sense from the US when you’re building a bigger trip. Fly into Dubai for a few days, then continue to London on a separate ticket. The airline’s Dubai Connect program throws in a free hotel for layovers over 10 hours, which is a useful perk.

Business class is tricky. The seats on the A380 and new A350 don’t have closing doors, which feels behind the curve when Qatar, JetBlue, and Delta all offer proper suites now. But the food, drinks, and service are still top tier. If you care more about champagne and hot towels than privacy, you’ll have a great time. First class on the A380 remains the most over the top experience in commercial aviation.

• Read next: Emirates Business Class Guide
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• For more reading: How to Find Cheap Business Class Flights
• Keep reading: Air Travel Updates

7. 🇬🇧 Virgin Atlantic

• 🏠 Base: London Heathrow (LHR), with most flights running through Terminal 3
• ✈️ Best For: A stylish, enjoyable flight into London, especially if you care about service and the whole “start the trip early” vibe
• 💺 Cabin Options: Economy, Premium, Upper Class (Business)
• 🧳 Baggage Policy: One checked bag included in Economy Classic and above
• 💳 Loyalty Program: Flying Club
• 🧠 Pro Tip: Flying Club points transfer from Chase, Amex, Citi, Capital One, and Bilt. Upper Class awards start at 29,000 points with fees around $255. This is one of the best business class deals to London.

Virgin Atlantic has always been the cooler alternative to British Airways. The airline doesn’t take itself too seriously, and the Clubhouse lounges at Heathrow and JFK remain some of the best in the business. If BA feels like flying with your bank manager, Virgin feels like flying with someone who might buy you a drink.

The fleet situation is a bit complicated. The A330neo is Virgin’s newest aircraft and the only one with closing doors in Upper Class. The suites look gorgeous in photos but they’re quite narrow, and the “Loft” social area isn’t as fun as the old onboard bar. The A350 has more space but no doors. The 787 has the oldest Upper Class product and I’d avoid it if possible. Check your aircraft before booking because the experience varies significantly depending on what you get.

What makes Virgin genuinely compelling right now is the points game. Flying Club switched to dynamic pricing in 2024. You can book Upper Class from the East Coast for 29,000 points with fees around $255, down from the $1,000+ surcharges they used to charge. Economy starts at just 6,000 points. Since Flying Club transfers from basically every major credit card program, this is one of the easiest premium transatlantic redemptions to book. Virgin flies from 11 US cities including JFK, Boston, LA, Miami, Atlanta, and San Francisco.

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8. 🇮🇪 Aer Lingus

• 🏠 Base: Dublin (DUB) and Shannon (SNN)
• ✈️ Best For: East Coast travelers who want to skip US immigration lines, or anyone connecting to London from smaller US cities
• 💺 Cabin Options: Economy and Business Class
• 🧳 Baggage Policy: Business Class includes three checked bags; Economy varies by fare
• 💳 Loyalty Program: AerClub, and it uses Avios so it links nicely with British Airways points
• 🧠 Pro Tip: Dublin to Boston is under 3,000 miles, which drops business class redemptions to 50,000 Avios roundtrip instead of 80,000. That’s a lie-flat bed for the same price as economy on other carriers.

I fly Aer Lingus from Boston constantly, and the US preclearance in Dublin has completely spoiled me. You clear immigration and customs before you board your flight home, which means you walk off the plane in the US as a domestic arrival. No Global Entry line, no customs forms, no dragging your bags to a recheck counter. You just grab your suitcase and leave. After doing this a few times, clearing immigration at JFK or Newark feels almost offensive.

The business class experience on Aer Lingus won’t knock your socks off, but it quietly delivers. The newer A321XLR aircraft have 16 lie-flat seats with excellent screens and free Wi-Fi. Fight for the “throne” seats in rows 3 and 5 if you’re traveling solo because they’re private and spacious. The paired seats everywhere else mean you’re basically sharing a cubicle with a stranger, which isn’t ideal on a red-eye. The food has an Irish touch, the crew is warm, and the whole experience feels pleasantly unpretentious.

The real value here is the Dublin hub for connecting to London. Aer Lingus is adding third daily flights to Boston and JFK for summer 2026, plus new routes to Pittsburgh and Raleigh-Durham. If you live somewhere that doesn’t have direct London flights, connecting through Dublin beats the chaos of Heathrow or the slog of a US hub. Your bags transfer automatically, and you’re already immigration-cleared for the return.

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9. 🇺🇸 Alaska Airlines

• 🏠 Base: Seattle (SEA)
• ✈️ Best For: A simple nonstop to London if Seattle is convenient for you
• 💺 Cabin Options: Main Cabin, Premium Class, Business Class
• 🧳 Baggage Policy: One free checked bag on transatlantic routes
• 💳 Loyalty Program: Atmos Rewards (combined Alaska and Hawaiian program)
• 🧠 Pro Tip: Transfer Bilt Rewards points 1:1 to Atmos Rewards. Economy awards start at 30,000 points, which is competitive with Virgin Atlantic’s Delta sweet spot.

Alaska Airlines is the wildcard on this list, purely because the London route is brand new. Seattle to London Heathrow launches on May 21, 2026, so there isn’t a long history to lean on yet. Still, the aircraft and the cabin setup look strong enough that I’d happily keep it in the mix.

The reason is the 787-9 Dreamliner and the business class seat. Alaska’s launching with 34 suite style seats with closing doors in a 1-2-1 layout, which is exactly what you want on an overnight flight. They’re the same seats American and United are putting on their newest jets, so Alaska is arriving with one of the best business class “hard products” you’ll find on a US airline.

The catch is simple: it’s Seattle only. If you’re in Portland, San Francisco, or Los Angeles, you’re routing through SEA, while United and Delta give you more nonstop choices from more cities. And because Alaska doesn’t have its own lounge at Heathrow, your lounge experience depends on oneworld partner facilities. This can be great, but it’s not as seamless as an airline that runs its own flagship lounge there.

Where Alaska could pull ahead is Wi-Fi. Starlink is rolling out across the fleet by 2027, with the 787s expected to get it in late 2026, and that’s a bigger deal than it sounds. On northerly routes to Europe where other airlines often lose signal, Alaska’s aiming for uninterrupted connectivity. If you work while you fly, that’s the kind of detail you’ll notice immediately.

• For more reading: Airlines With the Fastest Wi-Fi (Ranked by a Pro Digital Nomad)

10. 🇳🇴 Norse Atlantic Airways

• 🏠 Base: London Gatwick (LGW)
• ✈️ Best For: Cheap fares to London if you’re flexible and you don’t mind keeping things simple
• 💺 Cabin Options: Economy, Premium (premium economy equivalent)
• 🧳 Baggage Policy: ELight fare includes carry-on only; Classic adds a checked bag and meal; Premium includes two meals and 43″ seat pitch
• 💳 Loyalty Program: None
• 🧠 Pro Tip: Treat Norse like a budget airline with a long haul plane. Pack snacks, bring a water bottle, and choose your seat early if you care about comfort.

Norse exists because Norwegian stopped flying long haul. Norse picked up the pieces, using many of the same 787 Dreamliners and running the same style of operation: low fares, no frills, and you pay extra for bags, meals, and seat selection. If you flew Norwegian long haul before 2020, this will feel very familiar.

The move with Norse is Premium, and I say that as someone who doesn’t usually bother with upgrades. You get loads of legroom and a big recline, so you can properly stretch out and sleep. Trust me, it can feel better than the premium economy seats on bigger airlines. The pricing is the hook, because Premium sometimes costs around what other airlines charge for standard economy.

Everything around the seat is where the budget part shows. Wi-Fi isn’t the selling point, the food is fine but forgettable, and the entertainment is limited compared with the big carriers. The crew is professional, but you’re not paying for bells and whistles.

Route wise, Norse keeps it tight, and that matters when things go wrong. For summer 2026, it’s London Gatwick to New York, Los Angeles, and Orlando, and that’s it. I book Norse when the deal is strong and my plans have some flexibility. It’s a comfortable way to cross the Atlantic cheaply, not a travel experience you’ll write home about.

11. 🇮🇸 Icelandair

• 🏠 Base: Reykjavik Keflavik (KEF)
• ✈️ Best For: Travelers who want to visit Iceland on the way to London, or anyone looking for affordable one-stop options from smaller US cities
• 💺 Cabin Options: Economy, Saga Premium (recliner business class)
• 🧳 Baggage Policy: Economy Light has no checked bag; Economy Standard includes one; Saga Premium includes two at 70 lbs each
• 💳 Loyalty Program: Saga Club (partners with Alaska Airlines and JetBlue)
• 🧠 Pro Tip: Add a free stopover in Iceland for up to seven days at no extra airfare. Economy Light limits you to three days.

I live in Boston and I fly Icelandair a lot. It’s one of the easiest ways to get to London from the East Coast without doing a marathon flight. Every flight connects through Reykjavik, and you can turn that layover into a proper visit. Their stopover program lets you spend up to a week in Iceland without paying extra airfare, which is an easy way to sneak in glaciers, hot springs, or even the Northern Lights on the same trip.

Saga Premium is great as long as you know what you’re buying. It’s marketed like business class, but it flies more like a really good domestic first class seat. There’s a comfy recliner, proper meals, and free Wi-Fi, but no lie flat beds. For a flight that’s usually around five to six hours, I’m fine with that, and I’d rather arrive rested enough and keep the budget for London. The newer A321LR aircraft are noticeably better than the 737 MAX, with bigger screens and Bluetooth audio. Icelandair is retiring all 767s by end of 2026 and phasing out the 757s as more A321LRs arrive, so the fleet should feel more consistent soon.

The catch is Icelandair quietly cut outstation lounge access in April 2025. Basic Saga Premium now only gets you into the Saga Lounge at Keflavik, not partner lounges in London or US cities. You need the pricier Saga Premium Flex fare for those. Still, roundtrip Saga fares regularly drop under $1,000, and economy can be shockingly cheap. I book Icelandair when I actually want to see Iceland, not just pass through it.

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