Cheap flights to United States of America

Flight times from the UK to the USA vary significantly by destination. Flights to East Coast cities like New York, Boston, and Washington DC take approximately 7–9 hours. Flights to the West Coast (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle) take approximately 10–11 hours. Florida and the South (Miami, Atlanta) are roughly 9–10 hours. Hawaii adds another 5–6 hours from the West Coast. All of these can be flown non-stop from London.

The best time to visit the USA depends heavily on your destination. New York is wonderful in spring (April–June) and autumn (September–November). Florida is most popular from December to April (avoiding summer humidity and hurricane season). California is pleasant almost year-round, with peak summer (June–August) warmest and busiest. National Parks like the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone are best visited May–September. New Orleans is great for Mardi Gras (February/March). Researching your specific region is key.

The USA has hundreds of international airports. The major hubs receiving direct flights from the UK include New York (John F. Kennedy — JFK, and Newark — EWR), Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA), Boston (BOS), Chicago (O'Hare — ORD), San Francisco (SFO), Washington DC (Dulles — IAD), Atlanta (ATL), Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), and Las Vegas (LAS). Flights into hub airports allow easy onward domestic connections across the country.

The cheapest time to fly from the UK to the USA is typically January through early March (post-Christmas and New Year) and late October through November (avoiding Thanksgiving). These shoulder and off-peak periods see significantly reduced demand and lower fares across almost all US gateway cities. Midweek departures (Tuesday–Wednesday) can also be cheaper than weekend flights.

The USA spans 6 time zones. The most relevant for UK visitors are: Eastern Time (ET, UTC-5 / EDT UTC-4) covering New York, Miami, Boston, and Washington DC — 5 hours behind the UK in winter, 4 in summer; Central Time (CT, UTC-6) covering Chicago and New Orleans; Mountain Time (MT, UTC-7) covering Denver; Pacific Time (PT, UTC-8) covering Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle — 8 hours behind the UK in winter, 7 in summer. Hawaii is UTC-10.

English is the de facto national language of the USA, though it has no official federal language. Spanish is the second most widely spoken language, particularly in California, Texas, Florida, Arizona, and New Mexico. In major metropolitan areas, you'll encounter speakers of dozens of languages. For British visitors, communication is straightforward — though be aware of vocabulary differences (e.g., 'petrol' = 'gas', 'boot' = 'trunk', 'motorway' = 'freeway').

UK driving licence holders can drive in the USA using their valid UK driving licence for the duration of their stay (up to 90 days on an ESTA). An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended alongside your UK licence, though it is not always legally required in every state. The USA drives on the right-hand side. Speed limits are in miles per hour. US roads are generally well-maintained, and hiring a car is often the best way to explore cities and national parks. Note that some states have specific rules — for example, turning right at a red light is allowed in most states unless signed otherwise.

Yes — there are many direct non-stop flights from the UK to the USA. British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines, Delta, and United operate extensive schedules from London Heathrow to New York JFK, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, San Francisco, Boston, Washington DC, and several other US cities. Manchester, Edinburgh, and Glasgow also have direct non-stop services to select US cities operated by various carriers. The transatlantic market is one of the most competitive in aviation.

Numerous airlines operate direct flights from the UK to the USA, including British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and JetBlue. Budget airlines such as Norwegian and Level have also operated transatlantic routes. From regional UK airports like Manchester, Edinburgh, and Glasgow, direct services are operated by TUI, jet2.com, American Airlines, and Delta to various US cities.

British citizens do not require a visa to visit the USA for stays of up to 90 days under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). However, you must obtain an approved ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) before travel. The ESTA costs $21 USD and is typically approved within minutes, though applying well in advance is recommended. Your UK passport must be e-passport (biometric). Stays beyond 90 days or for work/study require a visa.

Return airfares from the UK to the US East Coast typically range from £300 to £750. West Coast routes (LA, San Francisco) generally cost £400–£900. Florida fares range from £350 to £750. Prices fluctuate significantly with season, booking lead time, and airline. January (excluding New Year) and November (excluding Thanksgiving) offer some of the lowest transatlantic fares. Booking 2–4 months ahead is generally advised for good value.

The USA offers almost limitless experiences. Iconic highlights include New York City (Times Square, Central Park, Broadway, Statue of Liberty), the Grand Canyon and Southwest desert landscapes, Las Vegas, Walt Disney World and Universal Studios in Orlando, the national parks of Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Zion, the beaches of Miami and Hawaii, New Orleans jazz and food culture, the Pacific Coast Highway through California, Nashville and country music, Washington DC's free Smithsonian museums, and Boston's historic Freedom Trail.

The currency in the USA is the US Dollar (USD). Credit and debit cards — particularly Visa and Mastercard — are accepted almost universally in the USA. American Express and Discover are also widely accepted. Contactless and mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay) are common in cities. Tipping is an important part of US culture: typically 15–20% in restaurants, 15–20% for taxi/rideshare drivers, and $1–2 per drink at bars. Always carry some cash for tips, parking, and smaller vendors.

Travel insurance is very strongly recommended for the USA. The US has no universal healthcare system, and medical costs are among the highest in the world. A single emergency room visit or hospital stay can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Your travel insurance policy should include comprehensive medical coverage, emergency evacuation, trip cancellation, and coverage for lost or stolen belongings. Many standard UK travel policies have caps that may be insufficient — check the medical coverage limits carefully.

Baggage allowances for flights from the UK to the USA vary by airline and fare class. British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and most full-service carriers include one checked bag of 23kg in standard economy. American Airlines, Delta, and United typically do not include a checked bag on their cheapest economy fares to international destinations — always check carefully. Premium economy and business class passengers receive 2 checked bags. Hand luggage is typically 10kg and one personal item.

The USA's weather varies enormously by region and season. New York has hot, humid summers (28–33°C) and cold winters that can bring snow (-5 to 5°C). Florida is warm year-round (Miami averages 23–32°C) but the June–November hurricane season brings rain and storms. California has a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild winters in coastal areas. The Pacific Northwest (Seattle, Portland) is famously rainy. The Midwest can see extreme heat in summer and severe cold in winter. Hawaii is tropical year-round. Always research the specific region you plan to visit.