Flying to New York from the U.K.
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Flying to New York from the U.K. (or Ireland) doesn’t have to be very expensive. If you book on time and avoid peak travel times, you can find return tickets for as little as £270, depending on your departure point. Read on for all of my tips.
New York has three airports: John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK), LaGuardia (LGA) and Newark (EWR), which is located in the state of New Jersey. Most international flights land at JFK or Newark, while domestic flights often arrive at LaGuardia. Manhattan is easy to reach from all airports, with transfer options also available to other boroughs.
Flights from UK to New York
Planning a trip to New York usually begins with the search for suitable flights. Many airlines offer direct flights from U.K. airports to New York. London, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Manchester all offer direct flights to New York. The average flight time, for example, from London to New York is just over 7 hours. However, wind and weather conditions can make the flight time longer.
Direct flight or stopover?
If you want to fly cheaply, you could consider booking a flight with a stopover. Be aware that you may lose valuable time if the stopover is longer. It’s also good to know that with a transfer, there’s a greater chance, especially with shorter stopovers (less than one hour), that your luggage might not make it to your second flight.
Are you flying to New York with small children? A direct flight can save you nerves and therefore be worth the price.
Major Airlines Operate Flights from the U.K. to New York City:
- British Airways
- Aer Lingus
- Delta Air Lines
- Air Canada
- Lufthansa
- KLM
- American Airlines
- Virgin Atlantic
When is the best time to fly to New York?
New York doesn’t have a ‘high season’ per se. However, the ‘holiday months’ (late November and all of December) and other public holidays in New York, such as Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas, are certainly much busier than the rest of the year. Therefore, flights during this time are more expensive. On the other hand, January and February could be considered the ‘low season’ as New York is a little less crowded due to the freezing temperatures. March and October are the best months to visit when taking both price and temperature into consideration. You can find more tips on when to travel by weather in New York here.
Airports With Flights to New York City
From UK and Irish airports, several flights depart daily for John F. Kennedy Airport and/or the Newark International Airport. These New York airports are roughly the same distance from the city. Below you can click on the airport of your choice to find out more useful information and to book the cheapest flights.
Tips for cheap flight tickets to New York
Last-minute flights are rarely cheap, so if possible try to book at least 4-6 months in advance. If not, at least six weeks before you travel. Look out for campaigns directly on the website of the airline.
Flexibility is key when looking to save money on flights. In addition to going for a flight with a stopover and deciding to fly during a cheaper month, the day of the week on which you fly is also decisive.
As a general tip, it’s usually cheaper to fly on a Monday instead of a Sunday and a Thursday compared to a Friday. You can also save money by travelling early in the morning or late in the evening instead of during the day.
Price for return ticket to New York:
- Cheap: £270 – £370 (If you see a ticket at this price, book immediately. You will see these prices mostly in January to March.)
- Average: £370 – £500 (You can expect to see these prices from October to May.)
- Expensive: £500 and upwards (Especially in the summer months and during holidays, ticket prices rise.)
You can compare prices on different websites to book your flights. Another option is to book flight and hotel combination packages on Expedia, for example. The hotel offers are clearly marked in the search results and you can narrow down the results, for example, by customer satisfaction.
BudgetAir.co.uk
Search, compare and book your flight tickets to New York on BudgetAir.co.uk! Use the filters during the search process and you’ll find the best flight deals to New York and 9000+ other destinations worldwide. Need help? Then contact the customer service that’s available 7 days a week!
Expedia.co.uk
Keep an eye on the various deals available at Expedia.co.uk. In addition to flights, you can book flight and hotel combination packages on Expedia.
Essential before departure
Besides booking your flight, it is also necessary to arrange a number of other things before departure. For instance, at least three days before departure you need to apply for an ESTA, an electronic travel permit for the United States. You can easily apply for your ESTA online.
The next step is to find a hotel that meets your requirements and fits your budget. I have tested a lot of hotels in New York, so I know what the hotel deals worth booking are.
It is also useful to book a transfer from the airport to your hotel. Whatever airport you fly into, there is always an option to book a transfer to your accommodation. Find the best alternatives for you by using my New York Transfer Planner. This way, you can start your trip worry-free!
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