Cheap flights from San Diego International to London Heathrow from $699
Updated 2026-05-27
5472 miles great-circle distance, typically flown in 11h 25m with 3 airlines operating direct service from San Diego International (SAN) to London Heathrow (LHR). Cheapest fares are usually in Jun (around $699 return), with peak prices in Jun (around $2097). Departures on a Tuesday tend to undercut weekend prices on this corridor.
Flying from San Diego International
San Diego International is the busiest single-runway commercial airport in the United States, sitting 3 miles from downtown San Diego. MTS Route 992 runs from the terminals directly to downtown in around 15 minutes for $2.50; the future Trolley extension (planned 2027) will provide direct light rail. Southwest and Alaska have the largest schedules; American, Delta and United add full-service capacity. Limited international long-haul — British Airways and Lufthansa serve London and Frankfurt direct.
Arriving in London
London Heathrow is 24 km west of central London — the deepest transatlantic hub from anywhere on the US East Coast. The Elizabeth Line and Heathrow Express both reach Paddington (15 minutes Express, 30 minutes Elizabeth) for £25 and £13.30 respectively. US carriers (American, Delta, United, JetBlue) and BA dominate the corridor. Cheapest fares from US East Coast: late January and February; peak demand is June–August.
Who flies SAN to LHR?
| Airline | IATA | Flight time | Cabin |
| British Airways | BA | 11h 25m | Economy |
| Lufthansa | LH | 11h 25m | Economy |
| Japan Airlines | JL | 11h 25m | Economy |
3 carriers fly direct on this corridor. Frequencies vary by season — summer and winter holiday peaks see additional flights.
Best time to fly SAN→LHR
Aggregated from 12 months of Travelpayouts fare data. Cheapest months in green, peak in red.
Source: Travelpayouts route data, refreshed every 30 days. Cheapest day-of-week typically Tuesday.
San Diego to London FAQs
Direct flights from San Diego International (SAN) to London Heathrow (LHR) take approximately 11h 25m for the 5472-mile journey, plus 30–60 minutes of taxi, climb and descent. Total airport-to-airport time depends on cruise winds and air-traffic queueing on approach.
Jun is typically the cheapest month on this route, with one-way fares from $699. Jun is the peak — expect prices 2–3× higher. Book 4–8 weeks ahead for best fares; last-minute prices on this corridor rise sharply inside two weeks of departure.
3 carriers operate direct service from San Diego International (SAN) to London Heathrow (LHR): British Airways, Lufthansa and Japan Airlines. Frequencies vary by season and carrier — British Airways typically operates the highest weekly count on this corridor.
Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) required for US passport holders from 2025 — apply online, £10. Always check travel.state.gov for the latest entry requirements before booking.
London Heathrow (LHR) is the primary international airport for London. Allow 30–60 minutes for the ground transfer by train, express bus, taxi or rideshare depending on traffic and time of day. See the airport's official website for current train and shuttle timetables.