About flights from London (LHR)
Heathrow is, by almost any reasonable measure, the most consequential airport in Europe. A reach score of 97 out of 99 isn't marketing copy — it's a reflection of what 224 direct routes across 86 countries actually means in practice: you can get almost anywhere from here without a connection. Terminal 5 alone handles more passengers than most entire airports. The place has its frustrations (T4's bus transfer, the Central Line at rush hour), but as a launching pad for international travel, nothing on the continent really competes.
Quick stats for LHR
- Direct destinations: 224
- Countries served: 86
- Continents reached: 6 of 6
- Average flight distance: 4,345 km
- Longest non-stop: Perth (PER) — 14,507 km (~18h 8m)
- Shortest non-stop: Manchester (MAN) — 244 km (~18 min)
- Reach score: 97/99
Why fly to London?
Thirty-two routes to the United States tell you something useful: London isn't just a destination, it's a transatlantic bridge. British Airways and American Airlines (both OneWorld) run parallel metal across the Atlantic, which means award seat availability is genuinely better than on most routes. Going further? The nonstop to Perth covers 14,507 km, making it one of the longest scheduled flights on earth. Closer in, the 13 routes to Italy mean you can often find competitive fares to secondary cities like Bologna or Naples, not just Rome. The cultural pull is obvious — world-class museums, theatre, history — but the flight network is the real story.
Longest non-stop flights from LHR
The furthest destinations you can reach non-stop from London:
- Perth, Australia (PER) — 14,507 km, approximately 18h 8m
- Santiago, Chile (SCL) — 11,654 km, approximately 14h 34m
- Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam (BWN) — 11,282 km, approximately 14h 6m
- Singapore, Singapore (SIN) — 10,882 km, approximately 13h 36m
- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (KUL) — 10,606 km, approximately 13h 15m
Short-haul flights from LHR
Quick getaway options with the shortest flights from London:
- Manchester, United Kingdom (MAN) — 244 km, approximately 18 min
- Guernsey, Guernsey (GCI) — 273 km, approximately 20 min
- Jersey, Jersey (JER) — 280 km, approximately 21 min
- Paris, France (CDG) — 348 km, approximately 26 min
- Brussels, Belgium (BRU) — 350 km, approximately 26 min
Top countries by direct connections from LHR
Heathrow connects to 86 countries. Here are the most served:
- USA — 32 destinations (Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Boston and 28 more)
- Italy — 13 destinations (Bologna, Brindisi, Florence, Milan and 9 more)
- China — 12 destinations (Beijing, Beijing, Changsha, Chengdu and 8 more)
- Greece — 11 destinations (Athens, Chania, Heraklion, Kefallinia and 7 more)
- Spain — 11 destinations (Barcelona, Bilbao, Ibiza, La Coruna and 7 more)
- United Kingdom — 9 destinations (Aberdeen, Belfast, Derry, Dundee and 5 more)
- Germany — 9 destinations (Berlin, Cologne, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt and 5 more)
- France — 8 destinations (Basel, Switzerland/Mulhouse, Figari, Lyon, Marseille and 4 more)
Where to fly from London
Flights to USA
London has 32 direct routes to USA:
- Boston (BOS) — 5,241 km
- New York (JFK) — 5,541 km
- New York (EWR) — 5,563 km
- Philadelphia (PHL) — 5,690 km
- Baltimore (BWI) — 5,834 km
- Dulles (IAD) — 5,901 km
- ...and 26 more destinations
Flights to Italy
London has 13 direct routes to Italy:
- Milan (MXP) — 935 km
- Milan (LIN) — 979 km
- Venice (VCE) — 1,150 km
- Bologna (BLQ) — 1,163 km
- Pisa (PSA) — 1,185 km
- Florence (FLR) — 1,218 km
- ...and 7 more destinations
Flights to China
London has 12 direct routes to China:
- Beijing (PEK) — 8,153 km
- Beijing (PKX) — 8,196 km
- Xian (XIY) — 8,244 km
- Chengdu (TFU) — 8,354 km
- Chongqing (CKG) — 8,537 km
- Qingdao (TAO) — 8,667 km
- ...and 6 more destinations
Tips for travelers at LHR
The Heathrow Express from Paddington takes 15 minutes and costs around £37 one-way, which is painful but fast. The Elizabeth line does the same trip in roughly 30 minutes for a fraction of the price — take it. If you're arriving into Terminal 3 or 4, build extra time; the inter-terminal transfers are slower than Heathrow's promotional materials suggest. Summer school holidays (late July through August) compress lounge space and check-in queues noticeably. Book early morning departures if you can — the airport runs quieter before 7am, and your chances of an on-time pushback are significantly better.
Airlines operating from LHR
The following airlines offer non-stop flights from Heathrow:
6E, A3, AA, AC, AF, AH, AI, AM, AS, AT, AV, AY, AZ, B4, B6, BA, BG, BI, BR, BT, CA, CI, CX, CZ, DL, EI, EK, ET, EW, EY, FB, FI, GF, GS, HU, HY, IB, J2, JD, JL, JU, KC, KE, KL, KM, KQ, KU, LA, LH, LM, LO, LX, LY, ME, MH, MS, MU, NH, OS, OU, OZ, P4, PK, QF, QR, RJ, SK, SN, SQ, SV, TG, TK, TP, TU, UA, UL, VL, VN, VS, VY, WB, WS, WY, ZH
Frequently asked questions about flying to London
What's the best way to get from Heathrow to central London?
The Heathrow Express train is fastest at 15 minutes to Paddington Station, while the Underground (Piccadilly Line) is cheaper at around £3.40 but takes about 45 minutes. Taxis and ride-shares are convenient but pricier, typically costing £45-65 depending on traffic.
When is the best time to fly from or to London?
Late September through early November and January through early March offer the best combination of lower prices and pleasant weather, while July-August and December are peak seasons with higher fares. Midweek flights (Tuesday-Thursday) are generally cheaper than weekend departures.
How many places can I fly to directly from Heathrow?
Heathrow offers 224 direct destinations worldwide, making it one of the most connected airports globally. You can reach major cities across Europe, Asia, North America, and the Middle East without any connections.
Do I need a visa to enter the UK through Heathrow?
Visa requirements depend on your nationality—US, Canadian, Australian, and many other passport holders get 6 months visa-free, but some countries need advance visas. Check the UK Government's official website or contact your nearest British embassy to confirm your specific requirements before traveling.
What's a helpful tip for Heathrow?
Download the Heathrow app before you arrive to check real-time flight info, find restaurants, and locate facilities—it's much faster than wandering around. Also, arrive at least 3 hours early for international flights since security queues can be long, especially during peak hours.
How much should I budget for airport transfers and fees?
Expect to spend £3-5 on public transport to the city, £45-65 on a taxi, or £15-25 per person for a coach service; airport taxes are already included in your ticket price. If you're buying food or shopping at Heathrow, budget extra as prices are 20-30% higher than central London.
Plan your trip from London
Browse the complete list of 224 destinations below to find your next flight from Heathrow. Each route page includes distance, estimated flight time, and airline information to help you plan your trip.