Cheap Flights from San Francisco to London
San Francisco to London is a premier transatlantic route connecting the Bay Area's tech hub to Europe's financial capital. With 4+ daily nonstop departures from SFO, competition between United, British Airways, and Virgin Atlantic keeps fares competitive. Camli's consolidator network surfaces wholesale fares that don't appear on public booking sites — so most travelers pay less for the same seats, especially in business class.
This route is heavily influenced by the tech industry's transatlantic business travel, creating strong year-round demand in premium cabins. United's hub status at SFO ensures high frequency and competitive pricing, while British Airways and Virgin Atlantic compete aggressively for the lucrative Silicon Valley corporate market.
San Francisco to London Route Overview
| Route | San Francisco (SFO) → London (LHR / LGW) |
|---|---|
| Distance | ~5,367 miles |
| Flight Time (Outbound) | ~10h 30min (eastbound) |
| Flight Time (Return) | ~11h 15min (westbound) |
| Nonstop Carriers | United Airlines, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic |
| Connecting Carriers | Delta (via various), American (via various), Icelandair (via KEF), Aer Lingus (via DUB) |
| Peak Season | June–August (summer), December (holidays) |
| Shoulder Season | March–May, September–November |
| Premium Cabins | Business/First available on United, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic |
How Much Does a Flight from San Francisco to London Cost?
| Cabin | Airline | From | Stops | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | United Airlines | $312 | Nonstop | Lowest published round-trip |
| Economy | British Airways | $398 | Nonstop | Full-service with meals |
| Economy | Icelandair | $289 | 1 stop (KEF) | Often cheapest with Reykjavik connection |
| Economy | Aer Lingus | $329 | 1 stop (DUB) | US preclearance in Dublin |
| Business | Multiple (via Camli) | $1,800 | Nonstop | Consolidator fare — lie-flat seat |
| Business | British Airways | $5,200 | Nonstop | Published Club World fare |
| First | British Airways | $8,900 | Nonstop | Published First Class fare |
Prices shown are indicative round-trip starting fares as of June 2026, inclusive of taxes and fees. Actual fares vary by date, availability, and booking class. Consolidator fares are available exclusively through Camli and may not appear on public booking sites.
Airlines Flying San Francisco to London
SFO to London benefits from United's hub dominance ensuring high frequency, while British Airways and Virgin Atlantic provide strong premium competition. The route is one of the best for consolidator business class fares due to the high proportion of corporate travelers keeping premium inventory flowing.
- United Airlines (UA) — nonstop, 3–4 daily flights. Star Alliance. Polaris business class with lie-flat seats. Hub carrier at SFO with most frequencies.
- British Airways (BA) — nonstop, 2 daily flights. Oneworld. Club Suite business class with closing doors. Flies to LHR Terminal 5.
- Virgin Atlantic (VS) — nonstop, Daily. SkyTeam partner. Upper Class with social space and lie-flat beds. Flies to LHR.
- Icelandair (FI) — connecting, Daily via KEF. Budget-friendly option with free Iceland stopover (up to 7 days). Saga Premium business class available.
- Aer Lingus (EI) — connecting, Daily via DUB. US immigration preclearance in Dublin — arrive in London as domestic passenger.
Best Time to Fly from San Francisco to London
Cheapest Months to Fly
January–March, October–November
Monthly Price Calendar
- Jan (low): Post-holiday low season
- Feb (low): Cheapest month
- Mar (low): Early spring value
- Apr (medium): Easter demand
- May (medium): Shoulder season
- Jun (high): Summer peak begins
- Jul (high): Peak summer
- Aug (high): Peak summer
- Sep (medium): Post-summer shoulder
- Oct (low): Excellent autumn value
- Nov (low): Pre-holiday low season
- Dec (high): Holiday peak
Cheapest Days of the Week
Tuesday and Wednesday departures are consistently cheapest
How Far in Advance to Book
Book 4–8 weeks ahead for best economy fares; 3–6 weeks for business class
San Francisco to London Travel Tips
- United Polaris offers the best value in business class: United's Polaris business class from SFO to LHR features lie-flat seats and Polaris Lounge access. Published fares are $4,000–$6,000, but consolidator fares through Camli start at $1,800 for the same product.
- Consider Icelandair for budget travel with a bonus stopover: Icelandair offers free stopovers in Reykjavik (up to 7 days) at no extra airfare cost. Fares from SFO to London via KEF start at $289 — significantly cheaper than nonstop options.
- Fly midweek for the best fares: Tuesday and Wednesday departures are consistently cheaper than weekend flights on this route. If you have flexibility, avoid Friday and Sunday departures which carry a premium.
- Book shoulder season for the best London experience: September–October offers mild weather, fewer tourists, and fares well below summer peak. May is also excellent with longer days and lower prices than June.
About London
West End Theatre & Culture
World-class theatre, museums (British Museum, Tate Modern, National Gallery), and live music venues.
Historic London
Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, and 2,000 years of history.
Food & Markets
Borough Market, Brick Lane, and a thriving restaurant scene with 70+ Michelin-starred establishments.
Day Trips
Oxford, Cambridge, Stonehenge, Bath, and the Cotswolds — all within 1–2 hours by train.
Visa & Entry Requirements — London
Visa-free for US citizens (6 months)
US passport holders can enter the UK visa-free for tourism or business stays up to 6 months. Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) required from 2025 — apply online before travel ($10).
| Currency | British Pound (GBP) — ~£0.79 = $1 USD |
|---|---|
| Timezone | GMT/BST (UTC+0/+1) — 8 hours ahead of SF (PST) |
| Language | English |
| Plug Type | Type G (UK 3-pin — adapter required) |
Entry requirements as of publication — verify with the destination country's embassy before travel.
Frequently Asked Questions — San Francisco to London Flights
- How long is the flight from San Francisco to London?
- Nonstop flights from SFO to London take approximately 10 hours 30 minutes eastbound and 11 hours 15 minutes westbound (return). The difference is due to jet stream winds. With a connection, total travel time is typically 13–17 hours.
- Which London airport do SFO flights arrive at?
- Most nonstop flights from SFO arrive at Heathrow (LHR). United flies to Terminal 2, British Airways to Terminal 5, and Virgin Atlantic to Terminal 3. Some connecting flights may route through Gatwick (LGW).
- What is the cheapest month to fly from San Francisco to London?
- January, February, and November are typically the cheapest months. Avoid June–August (summer peak) and December (holidays). Consolidator fares through Camli can offer meaningful savings even during peak periods.
- Can I find cheap business class flights from SFO to London?
- Yes. Published business class fares are $4,000–$7,000, but consolidator fares through Camli start at $1,800 for the same lie-flat seats on United Polaris, BA Club Suite, or Virgin Upper Class.
- Do I need a visa to visit London from the US?
- No visa required, but you need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) from 2025. Apply online before travel ($10, usually approved within 72 hours). US citizens can stay up to 6 months for tourism.
- Is it cheaper to fly from SFO or LAX to London?
- SFO and LAX offer similar pricing to London, but SFO has fewer nonstop options (3 carriers vs. 5+ from LAX). However, United's hub presence at SFO often produces competitive consolidator fares. Compare both on Camli for the best deal.