How to think about this route
London to Los Angeles is an eleven-hour-class long-haul into LAX. Non-stops and one-stops both appear. The useful ticket leaves daylight for the transfer — peak-hour runs to the coast or Valley can be long.
London departure choices
Heathrow non-stops are common when available. Regional UK airports often connect via a US or European hub — compare total journey and baggage rules.
London airports — quick compare
| Airport | Best For | Main Advantage | Main Drawback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heathrow (LHR) | West London; full-service | Frequency / connections | Peak queues; often dearer headlines |
| Gatwick (LGW) | South / south-east | Strong leisure short-haul | Awkward from north of the river |
| Stansted (STN) | North-east / Essex; low headlines | Often cheapest ticket | Express + cross-London time |
| Luton (LTN) | North / M1 corridor | Regular low-cost schedules | Early starts; DART/coach hops |
Airlines on this route
British Airways, American, Virgin Atlantic, United and others appear. Most UK flights use LAX.
LAX arrival and getting around
Los Angeles International (LAX) is the main hub. Rideshare and prebooked transfers are the simple arrival move; a hire car pays off once you start crossing neighbourhoods daily. See the Los Angeles stays guide.
When the route works best
Spring and autumn are comfortable for beach and sightseeing. Summer is busy and warm; winter is mild but can be wetter.
Baggage, entry and trip cost
Most British leisure travellers need ESTA — confirm current US rules before you pay. Factor car hire and parking into beach-vs-central bases.
After you land
Use the Los Angeles stays guide. Related: London → New York and London → Miami.
Los Angeles airports — quick compare
| Airport | Best For | Transfer to centre / resort | Main Drawback |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAX | Default UK arrival | FlyAway / taxi / rideshare — often 30–90 min by neighbourhood | Sprawl — hotel area matters more than the airport |
Airport transfers — quick guide
- Heathrow: Elizabeth line or Piccadilly; Express is faster and dearer. Allow peak security time.
- Gatwick: Gatwick Express or Thameslink. Clean from south London; slower if you start north.
- Stansted: Stansted Express to Liverpool Street, then Tube. Price that before a “cheap” fare wins.
- Luton: DART to Parkway, then rail into London. Fine with a cabin bag; slower with two hold cases.
- LAX: Choose Santa Monica, Hollywood or Downtown before you land — transfer time swings wildly by neighbourhood.