Airline routes, current UK ETA rules and what to expect at Heathrow — plus a fixed-fare transfer waiting when you land.
British Airways, American Airlines, Delta, United and Virgin Atlantic all fly non-stop from major US hubs to London Heathrow, typically 7 hours from the East Coast and up to 11 hours from the West Coast. US citizens need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling, not a full visa, for stays under six months. Book your Heathrow transfer before you fly and a driver tracks your flight and meets you in arrivals.
This page pulls together everything you need on USA to Heathrow in one place — how it works, what to expect and the questions we are asked most — so you can decide and book with confidence. Prefer to talk it through? Call us any time on +44 (0) 158 282 4631 for a fixed-fare quote.
Heathrow is the main UK gateway for transatlantic travel, with non-stop flights from most major US cities. British Airways, American Airlines and Virgin Atlantic fly from New York (JFK), while United flies from Newark, Delta from JFK and Boston, and all five carriers between them also serve Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, Washington Dulles, Miami, San Francisco and several other hubs. Smaller regional airports usually connect through one of these US hubs first.
East Coast (New York, Boston): around 7 hours non-stop.
Central US (Chicago, Dallas): around 8–9 hours non-stop.
West Coast (LA, San Francisco, Seattle): 10–11 hours non-stop.
Overnight "red-eye" departures are common, landing at Heathrow the next morning UK time.
US passport holders do not need a full visa for a short tourist or business visit to the UK (normally up to six months). Since the UK's Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme became fully mandatory in February 2026, US travellers do need to apply for an ETA online before departure — it is a separate, faster process to a visa, currently costs a small fee, and is valid for multiple trips over roughly two years. Apply a few days ahead of travel rather than at the airport. Rules change, so always check the current requirements on the official UK government website before you fly, particularly if you are travelling for work, study or longer than a standard visit.
US flights typically arrive into Terminal 3 (American, Delta, Virgin Atlantic), Terminal 5 (British Airways) or Terminal 2 (United) — but terminals can change, so always check the one printed on your boarding pass or airline app. After landing you will pass through UK Border Force, where ETA holders normally use the e-gates with a valid passport, then collect luggage and head to arrivals. If you have booked a transfer, this is where your driver will be waiting, either at the barrier or with a name board if you have added meet and greet.
The UK uses pounds sterling (GBP); contactless card payment, including US cards, is accepted almost everywhere in London, so you do not need much cash. The UK is 5 hours ahead of US Eastern time and 8 hours ahead of Pacific time, and does not observe US-style daylight saving changes on the same dates, so the gap shifts slightly through the year. Tipping in the UK is lighter than in the US — a service charge is often already included in restaurant bills, and tipping taxi and minicab drivers is appreciated but not expected the way it is at home.
After a long transatlantic flight and a currency, time zone and terminal you may not know, working out onward transport is the last thing most travellers want to do. Booking your transfer with Airport Move before you leave the US means the price is fixed in dollars-to-pounds terms you already know, your driver has your flight number and adjusts to your real landing time, and you are met and taken straight to your hotel or address — no queuing for a taxi rank or working out UK public transport ticket machines after 7+ hours in the air.
No, not for a standard tourist or short business visit. You do need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), applied for online before you travel — it is not the same as a visa and is normally quicker to get.
Around 7 hours from East Coast cities like New York or Boston, and up to 10–11 hours non-stop from the West Coast, depending on winds and the exact route.
American Airlines, Delta, United and Virgin Atlantic all fly non-stop from major US hubs, alongside British Airways, which serves the largest number of US cities from Heathrow.
It depends on your airline — commonly Terminal 3, Terminal 5 or Terminal 2 — and can change, so always check your boarding pass or airline app rather than assuming.
Travellers with a valid ETA can typically use the e-gates alongside UK and eligible passport holders, which is usually faster than the manual desks — this can change, so check current guidance before you travel.
With Airport Move the fare is fixed and quoted before you travel based on your exact pickup and drop-off, so there is no meter and no surge pricing — get an instant quote for your address.
It is not required, but booking ahead locks in your price and means a driver already has your flight details, which is useful after a long flight when you would rather not arrange transport on the spot.
The UK is 5 hours ahead of US Eastern time and 8 hours ahead of Pacific time, though the exact gap can shift slightly around daylight saving changeovers since the US and UK switch clocks on different dates.
Not much. Contactless card payment, including US cards, is widely accepted across London, including for your Airport Move transfer, though it is worth carrying a small amount of cash for anywhere card-only is not an option.
It is appreciated but not expected the way it is in the US — there is no obligation to tip, and it is entirely at your discretion.
This page is written and reviewed by the Airport Move operations team, a London-licensed private-hire operator based at 450 Bath Rd, near Heathrow. We arrange fixed-fare airport, station, cruise-port and door-to-door transfers across London and the UK every day. Need help? Call +44 (0) 158 282 4631 or email booking@airportmove.co.uk.
Last updated: 28 July 2026
