London to Atlanta
8h 49m The flight from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) covers 6,761 km (4,201 miles) and takes approximately 8h 49m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads west on an initial great-circle bearing of 288°, passing near 50.8° N, 49.8° 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 | 12h 18m | 12h 43m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 8h 40m | 9h 05m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 7h 31m | 7h 56m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 7h 57m | 8h 22m |
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
| LHR | ATL | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | London Heathrow Airport | Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport |
| City | London | Atlanta |
| Country | United Kingdom | United States |
| ICAO | EGLL | KATL |
| Coordinates | 51.4707, -0.4599 | 33.6367, -84.4281 |
| Elevation | 83 ft | 1,026 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from London to Atlanta?
A non-stop flight from London (LHR) to Atlanta (ATL) takes about 8h 49m. The great-circle distance is 6,761 km (4,201 miles, 3,651 nautical miles), flying west on an initial bearing of 288°.
How far is London from Atlanta?
6,761 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 4,201 miles or 3,651 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 LHR and ATL?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 6,761 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 49m 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.