Airports · 6 min read
Heathrow Connection Times 2026: Terminal Transfers and Real Minimums
Heathrow connection times by terminal: the official 60- and 90-minute minimums, realistic buffers, and when an hour at LHR is not enough.
London (LHR) to San Francisco (SFO) flights
Nonstop from London Heathrow to San Francisco International: distance, flying time, which airlines fly it and how often.
Distance
8,616km
5,354 mi, great circle
Flying time
10h 55m
typical, gate to gate
Flights a day
5.7
average, November 2026
Airlines
3
passenger airlines
Airlines flying LHR to SFO
Route map
The shortest path over the Earth's surface. Actual tracks vary with winds and airspace. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Cheapest recent fare
Fares found in recent searches load here. You can also compare LHR to SFO fares by month.
Both directions
Related guides
Documents · 10 min read
Transit Visa Rules by Hub (2026): Where You Can Stay Airside
Transit visa rules by hub, 2026: which airports let you connect airside without a visa, and why the US and Mexico have no sterile transit.
Flying explained · 8 min read
Why Westbound Flights Take Longer: The Jet Stream, With Examples
Westbound flights take longer because they fly into the jet stream's headwinds. See how it works, real route times, and when the gap is biggest.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from London to San Francisco?
About 10h 55m gate to gate for the 8,616 km (5,354 mile) trip, estimated from distance. Schedules vary by airline and season, and winds can add or save time.
Which airlines fly nonstop from LHR to SFO?
British Airways, United Airlines and Virgin Atlantic, with about 5.7 flights a day between them in our data (AeroDataBox, November 2026).