London to Chicago
8h 21m The flight from London Gatwick Airport (LGW) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) covers 6,377 km (3,963 miles) and takes approximately 8h 21m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads north-west on an initial great-circle bearing of 298°, passing near 55.6° N, 48.7° W at its midpoint.
The route
The great-circle path — the shortest line between the two airports across the curve of the earth. On a flat map it looks bent; on a globe it is straight.
Flight time at different cruise speeds
Aircraft type, winds and routing all move the real number. This is the same distance flown at different speeds, plus the 25-minute ground and climb allowance.
| Typical of | Cruise speed | Airborne | Gate to gate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turboprop / regional | 550 km/h | 11h 36m | 12h 01m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 8h 11m | 8h 36m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 7h 05m | 7h 30m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 7h 30m | 7h 55m |
Headwinds on an eastbound long-haul routinely add 30–60 minutes; the same route westbound can be quicker. Airlines publish schedules with padding built in.
Both airports
| LGW | ORD | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | London Gatwick Airport | Chicago O'Hare International Airport |
| City | London | Chicago |
| Country | United Kingdom | United States |
| ICAO | EGKK | KORD |
| Coordinates | 51.1487, -0.1857 | 41.9786, -87.9048 |
| Elevation | 202 ft | 680 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from London to Chicago?
A non-stop flight from London (LGW) to Chicago (ORD) takes about 8h 21m. The great-circle distance is 6,377 km (3,963 miles, 3,444 nautical miles), flying north-west on an initial bearing of 298°.
How far is London from Chicago?
6,377 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 3,963 miles or 3,444 nautical miles. Actual flown distance is usually 2–5% longer because aircraft follow airways, avoid weather and route around restricted airspace.
Is there a non-stop flight between LGW and ORD?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 6,377 km the route is comfortably within range of a non-stop service if an airline chooses to fly it. Check an airline or booking site for what is actually scheduled.
What should I expect on a 8h 21m flight?
Anything past six hours is a long-haul flight: expect at least one meal service, a significant time-zone shift, and enough sitting that circulation and hydration start to matter. Cabin altitude, dry air and disrupted sleep do more damage to a training routine than the flight itself.
Other routes from London
Airport coordinates from OurAirports (public domain). Distance is a great-circle calculation; flight time uses the model described on the method page. Flight times are great-circle estimates for planning only — always check the airline's published schedule.