LHR - SFO

$482 Find Cheap Flights from London Heathrow Airport to San Francisco - Compare and Save

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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$593
Typical prices: $621-$907
Virgin Atlantic
Sat 12/22Wed 1/17
LHR - SFO • 1 stop
Cheapest non-stop
$593
Typical prices: $628-$927
Virgin Atlantic
Tue 11/20Wed 11/28
LHR - SFO • Non-stop
Advice from real travelers
BA Premium Economy adds extra legroom; Lufthansa adds extra checked bag value.
Iberia and Delta include free messaging; confirm BA checked luggage both ways.
Expert advice
+1
Expert advice
+1
Nonstop flights
You can fly direct with United Airlines, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic. Average duration is 11h 06m
Direct flights
+1
Direct flights
+1
Avoid delays
Most punctual • 89% on-time
Best time • Fewest delays
Insights
Insights
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travelers who book at least 16 weeks in advance save around 20% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 25% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top layover airports
Cheapest • Avg $565 (round-trip)
Shortest trip • 14h 00m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
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We hope you love your trip to San Francisco!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Expert advice
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Heathrow to San Francisco (LHR-SFO)

 
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent round-trip flight deals from Heathrow to San Francisco

Tue, Dec 22 - Sun, Jan 17
Virgin Atlantic Logo
10:55 am - 7:50 pmLHR  London Heathrow-SFO San Francisco
16h 55m1 stop Los Angeles
Virgin Atlantic Logo
1:05 pm - 10:40 amSFO  San Francisco-LHR London Heathrow
13h 35m1 stop Seattle/Tacoma Intl
$593Virgin Atlantic
Thu, Nov 5 - Wed, Nov 25
Virgin Atlantic Logo
11:50 am - 2:50 pmLHR  London Heathrow-SFO San Francisco
11h 00mnonstop
Virgin Atlantic Logo
6:00 am - 10:00 amSFO  San Francisco-LHR London Heathrow
20h 00m1 stop Salt Lake City
$593Virgin Atlantic
Wed, Sep 23 - Wed, Sep 30
TAP AIR PORTUGAL Logo
7:50 pm - 2:30 pmLHR  London Heathrow-SFO San Francisco
26h 40m1 stop Lisbon Humberto Delgado
TAP AIR PORTUGAL Logo
4:35 pm - 6:50 pmSFO  San Francisco-LHR London Heathrow
18h 15m1 stop Lisbon Humberto Delgado
$594TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Wed, Sep 23 - Wed, Sep 30
TAP AIR PORTUGAL Logo
6:45 pm - 2:30 pmLHR  London Heathrow-SFO San Francisco
27h 45m1 stop Lisbon Humberto Delgado
TAP AIR PORTUGAL Logo
4:35 pm - 5:45 pmSFO  San Francisco-LHR London Heathrow
17h 10m1 stop Lisbon Humberto Delgado
$594TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Sat, Oct 24 - Fri, Nov 6
SWISS Logo
8:45 am - 4:35 pmLHR  London Heathrow-SFO San Francisco
15h 50m1 stop Zurich
SWISS Logo
7:25 pm - 7:15 pmSFO  San Francisco-LHR London Heathrow
15h 50m1 stop Zurich
$595SWISS
Thu, Oct 29 - Tue, Nov 3
Air Canada Logo
9:00 am - 9:30 pmLHR  London Heathrow-SFO San Francisco
19h 30m2 stops Zurich Toronto Pearson Intl
Air Canada Logo
8:37 am - 9:20 amSFO  San Francisco-LHR London Heathrow
16h 43m1 stop Calgary
$595Air Canada
Tue, Nov 3 - Fri, Nov 6
Lufthansa Logo
7:40 am - 2:50 pmLHR  London Heathrow-SFO San Francisco
15h 10m1 stop Munich Franz Josef Strauss
Lufthansa Logo
12:50 pm - 7:25 amSFO  San Francisco-LHR London Heathrow
10h 35mnonstop
$596Lufthansa
Mon, Oct 26 - Sat, Oct 31
Lufthansa Logo
7:40 am - 3:50 pmLHR  London Heathrow-SFO San Francisco
15h 10m1 stop Munich Franz Josef Strauss
Lufthansa Logo
5:40 pm - 11:15 amSFO  San Francisco-LHR London Heathrow
10h 35mnonstop
$596Lufthansa
Tue, Nov 24 - Mon, Nov 30
Air France Logo
11:50 am - 2:50 pmLHR  London Heathrow-SFO San Francisco
11h 00mnonstop
Air France Logo
4:40 pm - 10:55 amSFO  San Francisco-LHR London Heathrow
10h 15mnonstop
$599Air France
Fri, Nov 20 - Fri, Nov 27
Air France Logo
11:50 am - 2:50 pmLHR  London Heathrow-SFO San Francisco
11h 00mnonstop
Air France Logo
4:40 pm - 10:55 amSFO  San Francisco-LHR London Heathrow
10h 15mnonstop
$619Air France
Booking Insights

Price, demand and travel trends for London Heathrow Airport to San Francisco flights

Use KAYAK data on prices, travel dates, airlines and seasonal trends to compare options and book flights from London Heathrow Airport to San Francisco with more confidence.

How much is a round-trip flight from London Heathrow Airport to San Francisco?

Round-trip flights from London Heathrow Airport to San Francisco start at $593. Prices are below average for this route right now, with typical round-trip fares ranging from $621 to $907. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $593 on Virgin Atlantic.

What's the cheapest day of the week to fly from London Heathrow Airport to San Francisco?

Thursday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from London Heathrow Airport to San Francisco, it is 6% cheaper than the average day. Sunday is the most expensive day with flight prices 4% higher than average. Based on deals found by KAYAK users in the last 12 months.

What is the cheapest month to fly from London Heathrow Airport to San Francisco?

  • February is the cheapest month to fly from London Heathrow Airport to San Francisco at $557 round-trip.
  • December ($869) and July ($818) are the most expensive months.
  • The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 56% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are prices from London Heathrow Airport to San Francisco the cheapest?

Flights from London Heathrow Airport to San Francisco are cheapest 16 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 20% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

Expert advice

Expert advice for your flight from Heathrow to San Francisco

 
KAYAK teamed up with top travel experts to share the best tips for your journey.
Our travel experts
Marisa Garcia

Marisa Garcia

Expert on Iberia

Marisa knows planes inside and out, spending 16 years working on aircraft in hangars at airports around the world. She is an aviation industry expert, specialized in airline interiors and regulations. Ten years ago, she pivoted to journalism. She shares her insights in leading aviation, travel, and business publications and on her site FlightChic.

Stefanie Waldek

Stefanie Waldek

Expert on United Airlines and Delta

Stefanie Waldek is a freelance space, travel, and design writer based in Saratoga Springs, NY. Her words have appeared in Space.com, Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, Architectural Digest, and House Beautiful, among other publications. An expert in aviation and expedition cruising, Stefanie is frequently up in the air or on the sea, likely en route to Antarctica or the Arctic.

Jessica Macdonald

Jessica Macdonald

Expert on Lufthansa

Currently based in Scotland after living in South Africa and the United States, Jessica has been writing travel and aviation content for more than 10 years. She regularly contributes to Travel + Leisure and TripSavvy, and has had work published by Condé Nast Traveller and The Independent. She has traveled to more than 50 countries across six continents.

Duncan Madden

Duncan Madden

Expert on British Airways and LHR

Duncan is a freelance travel writer, copywriter and book author in constant search of travel stories and the perpetual sensation of being on holiday. He’s never happier than when on a dusty trail in search of empty waves or ducking under the piste tape in search of snowbound solitude. British born, living in Germany, but happiest heading for the horizon. His first book, Found in Translation, explores the etymologies and stories of country names around the world and is out now.

Laura Ratliff

Laura Ratliff

Expert on Virgin Atlantic

Laura Ratliff is a New York-based writer and editor. She lives in downtown Brooklyn with her husband and their beloved dogs. Originally from Texas, she now considers New York City her home. She typically spends more than 200,000 miles on a plane each year and stays in plenty of hotels.

Blane Bachelor

Blane Bachelor

Expert on SFO

Blane Bachelor is a journalist and editor specializing in travel and aviation who writes regularly for top global outlets. Born and raised in Florida, Blane has worked and lived in four countries, including the Netherlands, where she’s currently based with her family. Her favorite way to get to know a new destination is by running or riding a bike around town – or hearing a spooky ghost story about local history. She will always choose the window seat.

Key details for London Heathrow Airport to San Francisco flights

Low season

February

Cheapest flight

$482
Best time to beat the crowds with an average 25% drop in price.
Most popular time to fly with an average 10% increase in price.
Flight from London Heathrow Airport to San Francisco

When to book flights from Heathrow to San Francisco

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Heathrow to San Francisco based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated round-trip price

Flights from Heathrow to San Francisco: the best tips from KAYAK users' own experiences

Insights shared by verified travelers who flew the route from Heathrow to San Francisco 
ManyiFlew with British Airways-Jun 2026
London airport is huge - it took be an hour to transfer from one gate to another gate in the same terminal. Plan accordingly.
AntonFlew with United Airlines-Feb 2026
United has a cool arrival lounge in london but it is a bit hard to find, after customs look left
AlastairFlew with British Airways-Feb 2025
Make sure your free checked luggage is for outward and return flights.
Verified travelerFlew with United Airlines-Sep 2024
Download all your music. Add shows and movies to your queue. Bring short so you can relax. Bring long charger cords.
Verified travelerFlew with American Airlines-Mar 2024
Heathrow is vast, allow plenty of time to drop bags and go through security. At San Francisco the immigration takes a bit of time and we had to wait around 1.5hrs, bare this in mind when booking car rental. The is a shuttle train from the airport to the car rental area which is very slick and efficient.
Ana-MariaFlew with Iberia-Mar 2024
In London triple check your flight they have multiple leaving for the same destination once - it is easy to get them confused

Your London Heathrow Airport to San Francisco flight questions, answered

Find helpful route details based on KAYAK data, including flight times, airports, airlines and booking questions.

  • Is Heathrow family friendly?

    Heathrow Airport has at least one children’s play area in every terminal and most restaurants do children’s menus, and some promise to serve food within 15min. You can pre-order nappies and baby milk via the on-site chemist in each terminal, which reduces the need to carry more things through security.

  • How many airports are there in San Francisco and how many have direct routes from London?

    There are three airports in the San Francisco Bay area: San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Oakland International Airport (OAK) and San Jose International Airport (SJC). SFO is the airport that has more international airline options while Oakland and San Jose have more low-cost carriers and domestic routes. Both British Airways and Virgin fly non-stop to San Francisco SFO Airport from London Heathrow.

  • What is the best way to travel to London Heathrow to catch my plane to San Francisco SFO?

    There are two trains from central London, leaving Paddington station; the Heathrow Express takes 15min, non-stop and the Heathrow Connect takes 30min with a few stops. It is also very straightforward to catch the London Underground - the journey takes about an hour from central London.

  • Once landed from London Heathrow, what is the best way to travel into San Francisco using public transport?

    The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) is easy, taking 30min, with trains leaving 3-4 times every hour. Passengers can connect to the BART from any of the terminals via the free Air Train. BART trains run from 5:00 in the week, 6:00 on Saturdays, and 8:00 on Sundays and stop at midnight every day. There are also buses that run from San Francisco SFO Airport to various parts of the state. For example, the Evans Airport shuttle serves Napa, the Marin Airporter goes into Marin County and the Sonoma County Airport Express carries passengers to Sonoma County.

  • Which airlines offer extra legroom and free seat selection on London Heathrow Airport to San Francisco flights?

    Among airlines operating London Heathrow Airport to San Francisco flights:

    • Lufthansa: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection
    • British Airways: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection
    • Virgin Atlantic: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection
    • United Airlines: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection
    • Brussels Airlines: offers free seat selection

    Extra legroom and free seat selection availability depends on fare class and route.

  • What airlines are available from London Heathrow Airport to San Francisco?

    3 airlines operate flights between London Heathrow Airport and San Francisco. The airlines offering nonstop flights on this route include:

    • United Airlines
    • British Airways
    • Virgin Atlantic

  • Which airports can I use when flying from London Heathrow Airport to San Francisco?

    Flights from London Heathrow Airport to San Francisco usually depart from London Heathrow (LHR) and arrive at San Francisco (SFO).

  • Which airlines include bags at no extra cost on London Heathrow Airport to San Francisco flights?

    Here are some options for this route, based on selected ticket types and cabin classes:

    • Lufthansa: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy Class
    • British Airways: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy Class
    • Virgin Atlantic: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy Class

    Bag allowance can vary by ticket type, cabin class, route and airline, so travelers should check the fare details before booking.

  • What cabin classes can I book on flights from London Heathrow Airport to San Francisco?

    Four cabin classes are available on flights from London Heathrow Airport to San Francisco:

    • Economy Class
    • Premium Economy Class
    • Business Class
    • First Class

    Prices vary by airline.

  • How much can I save by taking a layover when flying from London Heathrow Airport to San Francisco?

    On this route, layover flights are cheaper than nonstop options on average. Layover fares average $565 round-trip via Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl (PHX), compared to $751 for nonstop.

  • What is the standard checked-bag allowance on flights from London Heathrow Airport to San Francisco?

    There is no standard. Checked-bag policies vary by airline on this route. Most carriers charge $51–$100 for the first checked bag in economy. Premium fares and elite-status bookings typically include a free checked bag.

  • Which aircraft model is used most often on flights from London Heathrow Airport to San Francisco?

    The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner family is used most often on this route, operated mainly by Lufthansa and Brussels Airlines. Other aircraft seen on the route include Airbus A380-800 variants.

  • Which airports do connecting flights from London Heathrow Airport to San Francisco pass through?

    One-stop flights from London Heathrow Airport to San Francisco most commonly connect through:

    • Dublin (DUB) - 36% of one-stop connections
    • Lisbon Humberto Delgado (LIS) - 16% of one-stop connections
    • Kastrup Copenhagen (CPH) - 14% of one-stop connections
    • Seattle/Tacoma Intl (SEA) - 7% of one-stop connections

    Dublin (DUB) handles the largest share of one-stop connections on this route.

  • Can I save money by using flexible dates for flights from London Heathrow Airport to San Francisco?

    Yes. Being flexible with your travel dates can save you up to 11% on the London Heathrow Airport to San Francisco route. Thursday is the cheapest departure day at $701 round-trip on average, while Sunday is the most expensive at $781, a difference of $80. KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to 3 days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.

  • At what point is a flight considered delayed from London Heathrow Airport to San Francisco?

    A flight is considered delayed when it departs 15 minutes or more after its scheduled time. This is the standard used by the US Department of Transportation and most airline industry reporting. On the London Heathrow Airport to San Francisco route, 12% of flights were delayed in the past 3 months, with delays averaging 2 hours 18 minutes.

  • How are flight departures from London Heathrow Airport to San Francisco spread across the day?

    Afternoon is the busiest departure period on London Heathrow Airport to San Francisco flights, with 60% of flights leaving in that window. Morning departures account for 40%, evening flights for 0%, and night flights for 0%.

  • What popular places can I visit in San Francisco?

    Some of the most popular sights in San Francisco are Fisherman's Wharf, Union Square and Moscone Center. These are among the most viewed places in San Francisco on KAYAK.

  • What are the earliest and latest flights from London Heathrow Airport to San Francisco?

    These are the earliest and latest flight times available from London Heathrow Airport to San Francisco:

    • Earliest: departs at 10:05 am and lands at 9:11 pm
    • Latest: departs at 6:30 pm and lands at 5:36 am.

    The flight takes about 11h 06m.

  • How expensive are last-minute London Heathrow Airport to San Francisco flights?

    Last-minute fares on this route - booked within 2 weeks of departure - run 13% above the route average of $744. Book 16 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

  • How long is a flight from London Heathrow Airport to San Francisco?

    A nonstop flight from London Heathrow Airport to San Francisco takes 11h 06m, covering 5,350 miles.

  • Do I need a passport to fly from London Heathrow Airport to San Francisco?

    Yes, a valid passport is required for this international route. Many destinations require at least six months of validity beyond your travel dates. Check your passport expiry well before booking.

  • How are flight prices from London Heathrow Airport to San Francisco looking right now?

    One-way fares from London Heathrow Airport to San Francisco are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $484, which is 29% below the typical average for this route.

  • How does Virgin Atlantic’s on-time performance compare to other airlines on London Heathrow Airport to San Francisco flights?

    Virgin Atlantic is slightly above the route average for timely arrivals, while United Airlines has a lower on-time arrival rate. On-time arrival rates on London Heathrow Airport to San Francisco flights are:

    • Virgin Atlantic: 89% on time
    • United Airlines: 88% on time
    • British Airways: 86% on time

    Overall, flights on this route are on time 88% of the time on average.

  • How do delay rates compare for morning and evening flights from London Heathrow Airport to San Francisco?

    Morning flights have the fewest delays on this route. Delays tend to pile up throughout the day as one late flight pushes the next, so earlier departures are usually more reliable.

  • How much time can I save by choosing a different layover airport from London Heathrow Airport to San Francisco?

    Flying via Denver Intl (DEN) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time at 14h 00m, compared with 14h 06m via Frankfurt am Main (FRA) and 14h 10m via Dublin (DUB).

  • What is the time difference between London Heathrow Airport and San Francisco?

    San Francisco is 8 hours behind London Heathrow Airport (Pacific Time vs British Time). Plan for the time shift when scheduling connections or first-day activities.

  • What car rental options are available at San Francisco Airport (SFO)?

    San Francisco Airport (SFO) hosts 5 major car rental companies, with daily rates starting from around $15 for economy cars. Top options include:
    · Thrifty
    · Europcar
    · Dollar
    · Hertz
    · Fox

  • How much should I expect to pay for a London Heathrow Airport to San Francisco flight?

    Round-trip flights from London Heathrow Airport to San Francisco range from $621 to $907, with an average of $744 over the past 12 months. Anything below $621 counts as a good deal.

  • Which airlines offer Wi-Fi on London Heathrow Airport to San Francisco flights?

    KLM is the only airline on the London Heathrow Airport to San Francisco route offering in-flight Wi-Fi. Pricing depends on fare class.

Your guide to booking London Heathrow Airport to San Francisco flights

Get tips on when to book, when to fly and what to know before your trip.
  • If your dates can be flexible, aim for a Thursday departure instead of Sunday. On this route, Thursday flights average $701 - about $80 less than Sunday (10% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 16 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 20% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your London Heathrow Airport to San Francisco trip for February. Fares historically average $557 round-trip in that month - typically $312 less than the most expensive month, which is December (based on the last 12 months).
  • If arriving on time is high on your priority list, Virgin Atlantic is the strongest pick on this route. 89% of Virgin Atlantic flights from London Heathrow Airport to San Francisco arrived on time in the past 3 months, slightly above the route's average on-time arrival rate of 88%. When flights on this route do arrive late, the average delay is 2 hours 18 minutes, so choosing a carrier with strong on-time performance can make a difference on tight schedules.
  • If you have the time, taking a 1-stop flight through Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl Airport (PHX) can be cheaper than flying direct. The cheapest layover option averages $565 round-trip on this route - about $186 less than direct flights (based on the last 12 months).
  • If you're arriving late at night and need somewhere to stay, check out these hotels close to San Francisco Airport.
    - Grand Hyatt At Sfo
  • London Heathrow (LHR) is one of the busiest airports in the world, so make sure to check your terminal in advance as distances between the terminals can be long if you make a mistake, and the journey between them can take more time than you think.
  • Download the London Heathrow app onto your telephone before you leave, as this will update you in real-time on delays, and also help you easily navigate the terminals to find restaurants, services and your boarding gate.
  • If you are pushed for time but very hungry, look out for the 15-minute symbol at many of the eateries at Heathrow Airport; these places will take your order and deliver your food within 15min.
  • If you find yourself with lots of time to spare before your flight, head to the Number 1 Lounge in Terminal 3 after security – as well as food, newspapers and drink, it also has a travel spa and sleep pods that can be reserved by the hour.
  • When planning your flight into San Francisco SFO Airport, remember that because it’s so close to the coast, it is prone to being foggy, which means that landing and take-off capacity becomes frequently limited. Make sure you factor in some extra landing time in your arrival schedule for unforeseen weather delays; it’s all part of the wonder of arriving in the area.

Prefer to fly direct from London Heathrow Airport to San Francisco?

 
Find which airlines fly direct from London Heathrow Airport to San Francisco Airport, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

London Heathrow to San Francisco

Monday

British Airways,United Airlines,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,United Airlines, +1 more

Tuesday

British Airways,United Airlines,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,United Airlines, +1 more

Wednesday

British Airways,United Airlines,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,United Airlines, +1 more

Thursday

British Airways,United Airlines,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,United Airlines, +1 more

Friday

British Airways,United Airlines,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,United Airlines, +1 more

Saturday

British Airways,United Airlines,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,United Airlines, +1 more

Sunday

British Airways,United Airlines,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,United Airlines, +1 more

See more direct flights

Direct returns

San Francisco to London Heathrow

Monday

British Airways,United Airlines,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,United Airlines, +1 more

Tuesday

British Airways,United Airlines,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,United Airlines, +1 more

Wednesday

British Airways,United Airlines,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,United Airlines, +1 more

Thursday

British Airways,United Airlines,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,United Airlines, +1 more

Friday

British Airways,United Airlines,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,United Airlines, +1 more

Saturday

British Airways,United Airlines,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,United Airlines, +1 more

Sunday

British Airways,United Airlines,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,United Airlines, +1 more

See more direct flights

Everything you need to know for your flight from Heathrow to San Francisco

Information on your arrival and departure airports