Flying from Chicago to London Heathrow Airport (LHR): What you need to know
Chicago has a couple of airports where you can set off on your adventure. Explore your options for booking a flight from Chicago to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) departing from O'Hare International Airport (ORD) or Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW).
The average time for a direct Chicago to London Heathrow Airport flight is 7 hours 55 minutes.
The timezone in London is UTC+0, which is five hours ahead of Chicago. London Heathrow Airport is located in London.
The most popular route is from O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to London Heathrow Airport (LHR), with 54 direct services every week. If you want to be on your way right away, the earliest flight from ORD to LHR is the 4pm United Airlines service. If you're looking to take off later, the last departure is at 11pm with American Airlines.
To ensure you catch your flight from Chicago to LHR, leave plenty of time to check in and drop off your luggage. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
Delays at security and check-in are likely if you're jetting off during high season, so allow even more breathing space. The recommendation for peak times? Arrive up to four hours ahead for international flights and two hours for domestic departures.
Airports in Chicago
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is a convenient option for travelling directly to your destination. Nonstop flights from Chicago to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) operate out of this terminal.
Popular airlines that offer direct flights from Chicago to London Heathrow Airport departing ORD include:
The preferred airline for passengers flying between ORD and LHR is United Airlines.
With 66.09% of services arriving as planned, American Airlines is the leading performer for punctuality on this route.
We make it a breeze to book cheap flights from Chicago to LHR that include a stopover. To explore the options leaving from O'Hare International Airport (ORD), uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Next, choose a flight that has a stop long enough to tour your chosen city. Major stopovers between ORD and LHR include:
Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
Dublin Airport (DUB)
ORD is around 40 kilometres from central Chicago. If you're driving, catching a cab or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take 35 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're taking public transport, expect the travel time to be around 55 minutes.
Want an easy start to your journey? Stay near O'Hare International Airport. Whether you're boarding an early flight from Chicago to London Heathrow Airport or just don't want to be rushed, these hotels offer the perfect solution:
Of all flights leaving O'Hare International Airport, 74.85% land on schedule at their destination.
You'll find ORD at 10000 West O'Hare.
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
Get the most out of your vacation with a stopover on your flight from Chicago to London Heathrow Airport. Here's where you can connect between Chicago Midway International Airport and LHR:
Logan International Airport (BOS)
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport (CVG)
You can reach MDW from central Chicago in approximately 20 minutes by car, depending on traffic conditions. The journey by public transport will take roughly 45 minutes to cover the 19 kilometres or so.
Start your vacation sooner with an extra night away from home. Before your Chicago to LHR flight, kick back in one of these hotels near Chicago Midway International Airport:
As far as flight punctuality goes, Chicago Midway International Airport has an on-time arrival performance of 77.88%.
MDW is located at 5700 South Cicero.
Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD)
You can lock in a flight ticket from Chicago to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) with one or more stops out of Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD). Here are some of the most common stopovers between RFD and LHR:
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Harry Reid Airport (formerly McCarran Airport) (LAS)
Nashville International Airport (BNA)
RFD is around 137 kilometres from central Chicago. The drive from the city centre to the airport takes about 1 hour 25 minutes. If you're planning to use public transport, you can expect a journey of around 4 hours 15 minutes.
Sleep a little longer and still make your Chicago to London Heathrow Airport flight without having to rush. These accommodation options near Chicago Rockford International Airport make departure day a breeze if you're jetting off early:
Flights that take off from RFD arrive at their final stop as scheduled 76.19% of the time.
You'll find Chicago Rockford International Airport at 2 Airport Cir.
About London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Have a late flight from Chicago to London Heathrow Airport? Don't let it end in exhaustion. Check in to one of these hotels near LHR and turn out the lights sooner:
Pick up a London Heathrow Airport rental car and discover London and beyond with your own wheels. Surprice, U-Save and Green Motion are popular outlets to choose from here.
Booking your ride around one week ahead of your Chicago to London Heathrow Airport flight can help you score a better rate.
Getting from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to central London
London Heathrow Airport is around 26 kilometres from central London. How long it'll take to get there by car rental or cab will depend on the time of day. Do a little research before you go.
Travelling on public transport will take you roughly 1 hour.
How to find the cheapest flights from Chicago to London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
C$308 is currently the best price for a one-way ticket from Chicago to London Heathrow Airport. Return flights start from C$578. These fares may change based on demand.
To score cheap flights from Chicago to LHR, book your flight ticket six months before your departure date.
November is when you're most likely to find a bargain on a Chicago to London Heathrow Airport ticket. If you need to travel at a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest prices for each month.
You don't need to search every day to find out if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll let you know the moment a lower fare pops up on flight tickets from Chicago to LHR.
Filters make it easier to snap up a deal on your flight from Chicago to London Heathrow Airport. Pick the departure times, airlines and number of stops that match your plans. Then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to find the most affordable option fast.
The best time to fly from Chicago to London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
February is the quietest month for flights from Chicago to London Heathrow Airport (LHR), while July is the busiest. Pick the best time to go to London based on whether you like a laid-back vibe or a more bustling atmosphere.
Book a Chicago to LHR flight ticket departing in July if you want to visit the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in London to range from 11ºC (52ºF) to 26ºC (79ºF).
Search for cheap tickets from Chicago to London Heathrow Airport in January if you want to travel in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 0ºC (32ºF) and 9ºC (48ºF).
More about London
When it comes to searching for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the best stays in London right here. Check out these hotels after you've booked your flight from Chicago to London Heathrow Airport:
Your visit to London should come with a bit of sightseeing. Big-name attractions that belong on your itinerary include The British Museum, Westminster Abbey and Big Ben.
Explore more of the United Kingdom
Birmingham is just one of the many cities in the United Kingdom waiting to be explored after you've experienced London. Around 153 kilometres away to the north-west, popular attractions include The Windsor Castle, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery and Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre.
Bristol is another must-experience destination in the United Kingdom and is around 145 kilometres west of London. No trip is complete without experiencing Banksey, Banksy's You Don't Need Planning Permission to Build Castles in the Sky and Clifton Suspension Bridge.
