London to Los Angeles: what the LHR to LAX corridor looks like
- Departure
- London Heathrow Airport, London, the United Kingdom
- Arrival
- Los Angeles International Airport, Los Angeles, the United States
- Great-circle distance
- 8,760 km (4,730 nm)
- Typical airborne time
- 10h 41m
- Usual cruise levels
- FL340 to FL400
- Initial track
- northwest bound
Route overview
The LHR to LAX sector connects London Heathrow Airport in London, the United Kingdom, with Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, the United States. Measured along the great circle the two airports are 8,760 km apart, roughly 4,730 nautical miles, which is close to 10h 41m in the air before winds and routing are taken into account. The initial track is northwest bound, and the middle of the route sits in mid latitude latitudes.
Jet stream plus mountain wave
Along the way the track passes over the open Atlantic and high latitude airspace where the polar jet stream lives. The track crosses high ground in western North America and then follows the polar jet stream. Mountain waves account for the bumps near the range, while shear at the jet boundary explains the mid cruise chop. Both patterns show up clearly in the forecast a day ahead, so the flight plan is built around them.
Cruise altitudes on this sector
Long haul crews normally start cruise around FL340, then step climb toward FL380 or FL400 as the aircraft burns off fuel and can hold a higher level. Choice of level matters because turbulence is layered: a change of two or three thousand feet often puts the aircraft into calmer air, and that is one of the first adjustments a crew will request.
Seasonal pattern
Winter is the more active season here: both the jet stream and the westerly flow over the mountains are stronger between November and March, while July and August are typically the quietest months.
Flying this route with less worry
It is worth remembering that turbulence of the kind found on the LHR to LAX track is uncomfortable and entirely within what the aircraft is built for. Wings are designed to flex, the flight is planned around the forecast, and the crew adjusts level or track when it helps. The live forecast above shows the current picture for this corridor so there are fewer surprises on the day.