London to London
28m The flight from London Gatwick Airport (LGW) to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) covers 41 km (25 miles) and takes approximately 28m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads north-west on an initial great-circle bearing of 332°, passing near 51.3° N, 0.3° 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 | 4m | 30m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 3m | 28m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 3m | 28m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 3m | 28m |
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 | LHR | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | London Gatwick Airport | London Heathrow Airport |
| City | London | London |
| Country | United Kingdom | United Kingdom |
| ICAO | EGKK | EGLL |
| Coordinates | 51.1487, -0.1857 | 51.4707, -0.4599 |
| Elevation | 202 ft | 83 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from London to London?
A non-stop flight from London (LGW) to London (LHR) takes about 28m. The great-circle distance is 41 km (25 miles, 22 nautical miles), flying north-west on an initial bearing of 332°.
How far is London from London?
41 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 25 miles or 22 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 LHR?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 41 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.
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.