SEA
LHR

Route guide · Updated 2026

The best flights from Seattle to London

Pick the best of 5 nonstop flights on British Airways, Alaska, Delta and more. But which flights let you stretch out, defy jetlag, and save hours door-to-door?

Our verdict

The best flights from Seattle to London:

Typical flight time
9 hrs 35 mins
Time change
8 hours ahead
Nonstop flights
5 a day

Defy jetlag

Book overnight flights departing after 8pm

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These overnight flights will be easier to sleep through. Your body clock will still be on your Seattle timezone, so getting to sleep will be easier for flights after 8pm. By the time dinner is cleared away, it will be about 10pm and you'll feel naturally tired.

The second big benefit is that the flights will land nearer a time you would typically wake up in Seattle. Your body will have had more chance to rest and recharge without interruption at a somewhat normal time. Earlier flights will leave you sleep deprived. Remember, you'll typically be offered breakfast 1-2 hours before landing too. That will feel easier nearer 6-7am on your body clock than 1-2 am.

If you do have to take an earlier flight, see if you can get the earliest possible flight then get home or to a hotel for a "proper" sleep until lunchtime in London the day you land (your body will want to this anyway). If you can land around dawn, get out the airport quickly, and beat the morning rush hour traffic home, this also works. Your flight then isn't so critical for sleep.

Seattle
6pm10pm2am6am
London
2am6am10am2pm
Bedtime in Seattle
Bedtime in London
British Airways
BA48777-300ER
SEA – LHR
Alaska
AS100787-9
SEA – LHR
Delta
DL20A330-900neo
SEA – LHR

Defy jetlag

Avoid overnight flights that land in the evening

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You might be too awake to go to bed in the new local time. Even if you haven't slept well inflight, your body clock will be on morning time in your Seattle timezone. It's easier if you have more hours in London to adjust and tire out again before bed. If not, you may struggle to get to sleep again on the first night that you land, so your day 2 jetlag will become much worse.

If you do have to take these later flights, try not to sleep all the way through. Instead, try waking up about halfway through the flight and "starting your day" on London time. It won't feel easy, but you'll be more ready to click into the new timezone on arrival.

Seatmap lottery

Seek out the Virgin A330neo's

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Virgin Atlantic's A330neos feature their best hard products in every cabin. Even in Economy, it is a markedly better product with plenty of twin seats thanks to the 2-4-2 configuration. That's great for couples and groups. Solo travellers have fewer 'strangers' to navigate. There's easiest aisle access for window seat lovers. Huge screens, bluetooth for your own headphones, and deep recline.

Premium Economy comes in a 2-3-2 setup.

Business Class gets the latest Upper Class Suite with forward-facing suites with doors and aisle-access. These give the best setup for sleep, work, and window-gazing. You can also book extra space in their new 'Retreat Suite' as an individual or couple.

Seatmap lottery

Flying Economy? Book the A330neo for more space

A330neos have a twin seat layout (i.e. 2-4-2). These layouts are much better for most travellers - groups, couples, and individuals. With fewer middle seats, and window seats being closer to the aisle, the whole cabin will feel more spacious even with the same seat pitch and width.

Seatmap lottery

Land feeling fresher by flying the 787

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Studies show the effects of lower cabin altitude (more oxygen and humidity) help with feeling less fatigued when you land.

787s, A350s and A380s have lower cabin altitudes than other aircraft. On long flights, like from London to Seattle, you'll notice your skin, mouth, and nose dry through the flight.

Faster door-to-door

Avoid flights departing Seattle between 8pm and 9pm to miss rush hour

Rush hour in Seattle hits around 3pm to 6pm. If you depart Seattle between 8pm and 9pm, you'll hit the traffic on the way to the airport and check-in. Taxis and Ubers will be more expensive too.

Seattle
10am2pm6pm10pm
London
6pm10pm2am6am
Rush hour in Seattle
Virgin Atlantic
VS106A330-900neo
SEA – LHR
British Airways
BA48777-300ER
SEA – LHR
Alaska
AS100787-9
SEA – LHR
Delta
DL20A330-900neo
SEA – LHR

Plane food

Virgin gives Seattle its longer service pattern

The big benefit with Virgin is you get much more service on London–Seattle than with British Airways, Alaska or any other airline on the route. They treat it much more like their longer California and Vegas flights, where you get extra meal services. It's much more generous than the British Airways equivalent. This applies across all cabins. This is specific to the London–Seattle route.

When is your trip?

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Every nonstop

When the flights actually go

Seattle
4am12pm8pm4am12pm8pm
London
12pm8pm4am12pm8pm4am
British Airways
BA52787-10
SEA – LHR
Virgin Atlantic
VS106A330-900neo
SEA – LHR
British Airways
BA48777-300ER
SEA – LHR
Alaska
AS100787-9
SEA – LHR
Delta
DL20A330-900neo
SEA – LHR