Main Content

Affordable flights from Seattle to London Heathrow

Fall in love with London's intoxicating mix of history, art and culture with Virgin Atlantic's direct flights from Seattle to London.

Discover London

Flights from Seattle to London

Discover a place where ancient history meets modern living, an energetic and diverse city with fascinating culture on every corner. With daily flights from Seattle to Heathrow, it’s never been easier to start an adventure in London.

 

Book your flights

A bustling hub of activity, it’s no surprise that London is one of the most visited cities in the world. With its stunning historic architecture, world-class museums and galleries and a vibrant food and drink scene, there’s always something new to uncover.

 

Unwind on your flight to the UK

Our Seattle to London flight will take you to the heart of this amazing city in just 9 hours. Unwind on the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, our newest and most advanced plane, complete with on-board Wi-Fi (charges apply). Enjoy movies, dinner and drinks – plus one checked bag – at no extra cost. You’ll arrive in the capital relaxed and ready to explore.

To help you make the most out of your trip, we’ve pulled together a handy guide to the best of the Big Smoke. 

Did you know?

London is known throughout the world for its history and heritage but it still has the ability to delight and surprise even the most learned anglophile. Here are some interesting London facts to peruse ahead of your trip.

 

1. The last gig The Beatles played as a band took place on the roof of 3 Saville Row in Mayfair.

2. Brixton Market was the first market street to be illuminated by electricity. As such, the market now stands on Electric Avenue.

3. The Night Tube runs all night long on Fridays and Saturdays on the Victoria, Jubilee, Central, Northern and Piccadilly lines so you can make the most of London’s unrivalled nightlife.

4. It is illegal to die in the Houses of Parliament. Why? Well, anyone who dies there is entitled to a state funeral, which is a costly affair usually reserved for monarchs.

5. Contrary to popular belief, Big Ben is the name of the bell, not the clock tower that houses it. The tower is called the Elizabeth Tower. 

Get inspired

London has long been an inspiration for writers, musicians and filmmakers with its diverse and rich history. Get a feel for the capital before your trip with some of these iconic books, movies and songs about London. 

 

Books

1. High Fidelity, Nick Hornby

Set around Holloway and Crouch End, this quintessentially British book tells the tale of Rob Fleming, a recently heartbroken record shop owner with a love of lists, who decides to revisit his top 5 break-ups.  

 

2. Bleak House, Charles Dickens

Often regarded as his finest work, Dickens’ Bleak House is a beautifully written piece which paints an unsurprisingly bleak picture of urban poverty in London during the Victorian -era.

 

3. White Teeth, Zadie Smith

Zadie Smith’s highly acclaimed debut tells the story of two families over 40 years in the multi-racial North West London suburb of Willesden. A book full of humour and heart.

 

4. Sherlock Holmes, Arthur Conan Doyle

The classic detective series focuses on the eccentric and enigmatic private detective Sherlock Holmes and his sidekick Dr Watson as they investigate crimes on the streets of London. 

 

5. Londoners, Craig Taylor

A vivid and honest account of 21st- century London as told by a cross-section of its most interesting inhabitants. 

 

6. Absolute Beginners, Colin MacInnes

Set in 1958, Absolute Beginners celebrates the dawning of youth culture in an increasingly diverse London.

 

7. Mrs Dalloway, Virginia Woolf

One of Virginia Woolf’s best-known novels, Mrs Dalloway describes a day in the life of the affluent Clarissa Dalloway as she prepares to host a high-society party at her Westminster home.

 

8. Brick Lane, Monica Ali

Ali’s controversial debut takes its name from the street where it is based in the heart of East London’s Bangladeshi community. The novel sees an 18-year-old Bangladeshi woman move to London to marry an older man.

 

9. Bridget Jones’s Diary, Helen Fielding

A light-hearted and laugh out loud depiction of single-life in London, Bridget Jones is a relatable and real heroine. 

 

10. A Concise Chinese-English Dictionary for Lovers, Xiaolu Guo

An interesting insight into the capital’s multicultural society, this novel follows a Chinese student as she begins a new life in London’s trendy Hackney neighbourhood.

 

Films

 

1. The King’s Speech

A stylish historical drama based on the true story of how the future King of England, George IV worked with speech therapist Lionel Logue on overcoming his stutter. 

 

2. Notting Hill

In this charming British love story set in Notting Hill, a bumbling Hugh Grant plays a book shop owner who meets and falls in love with a Hollywood superstar, played by Julia Roberts.

 

3. Oliver!

This rousing musical based on Charles Dickens’ classic novel Oliver Twist, tells the tale of a young orphan who joins a group of pickpockets. 

 

4. V for Vendetta

Set in London in 2028, a vigilante attempts to overthrow the fascist British government with a Guy Fawkes-inspired gunpowder plot. 

 

5. 28 Days Later

Considered to be a fresh take on the zombie horror genre after its release in 2002, 28 Days Later is a depressing vision of what London would look like after a plague-style virus wipes out most of its inhabitants. 

 

6. Sliding Doors

A romantic drama that alternates between two parallel universes depending on whether the lead character catches the Tube or not. London is the true star of this film, starring Gwyneth Paltrow and John Hannah.

 

7. Children of Men

A dystopian sci-fi drama set in a London of the future where two decades of human infertility have left society on the brink of collapse. Clive Owen and Julianne Moore star in this critically acclaimed political thriller. 

 

8. Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels

Guy Ritchie's British crime classic about working class London crooks coming up with cash.

 

9. The 39 Steps

Loosely based on the novel of the same name, this Alfred Hitchcock-directed thriller follows Richard Hannay, a civilian in London who finds himself embroiled in stopping a group of spies from stealing British military secrets. 

 

10. Suffragette

The first film in history to be shot in London’s Houses of Parliament, Suffragette is a passionate portrayal of women’s suffrage in the United Kingdom. 

 

Music

 

1. London Calling, The Clash

Considered by many to be one of the greatest rock albums of all time, ‘London Calling’ by the Clash showcased the group’s evolving sound in the post-punk era. 

 

2. Back to Black, Amy Winehouse

‘Back to Black’ is a melancholic masterpiece, an ode to love lost and chaotic Camden. The album received critical acclaim for its honest song writing and excellent production quality. 

 

3. Abbey Road, The Beatles

Possibly one of the most iconic album covers of all time, ‘Abbey Road’ by The Beatles was the band’s penultimate album (but the last to be recorded). 

 

4. Animals, Pink Floyd

Battersea Power Station stands proud on the cover of Pink Floyd’s 10th album, which was recorded at their studio in Britannia Row in London. 

 

5. Parklife, Blur

This Britpop classic was actually going to be called ‘London’ before the band eventually decided on ‘Parklife’ as the title. 

 

6. 21, Adele

A proud Londoner through and through, Adele’s flawless follow-up to ‘19’ launched her star into the stratosphere.

 

7. Alright, Still, Lily Allen

Lily Allen’s perfect-pop album depicts her London life with her unmistakeable brand of humour and warmth.

 

8. A Grand Don’t Come for Free, The Streets

If you want to practise your cockney rhyming slang before your trip to the capital, give Mike Skinner’s second album a listen. The ‘rap opera’ tells the story of the protagonist’s tempestuous relationship with a girl named Simone. 

 

9. Please, Pet Shop Boys

Featuring the single ‘West End Girls’, ‘Please’ by the Pet Shop Boys encapsulates the sound of London in the 1980s. 

 

10. The Liberty of Norton Folgate, Madness

Fun fact, Madness once held the record for having the highest number of songs referring to London. This album’s title track is a whopping 10 minutes long, and recounts the history of a corner of London that was once governed by St Paul’s Cathedral.

Events

Events in London for every month

 

January

• London’s New Year’s Day Parade: Join London’s spectacular annual New Year’s parade featuring more than 10,000 performers from all over the world. With dancers and acrobats, marching bands and more, this colorful celebration in Central London is not to be missed. 

• London Boat Show: Enjoy an action packed day out at the London Boat Show. From super yachts to jet skis and with over 300 exhibitors, this is a nice nautical day out for all ages. 

 

February

• London Winter Run: Take part in London’s coolest 10k, quite literally. Run past some of London’s most iconic sites alongside penguins and polar bears in this winter-themed charity race. 

• London Classic Car Show: A must-attend annual event for classic car owners, collectors or enthusiasts, showcasing some of the most spectacular vehicles in the world. 

 

March

• St Patrick’s Day: There are plenty of things to do in London to celebrate St Patrick’s Day. Watch the parade at St Patrick’s Day Festival in Trafalgar Square, or head to one of the city’s many Irish pubs. 

 

April

• The Boat Races: The historic annual rowing race between Oxford and Cambridge universities sees both sides speed down the River Thames side-by-side. 

• London Marathon: One of the six international marathons that form the World Marathon Majors, the London Marathon, sponsored by Virgin Money, is an uplifting and inspiring event for spectators and runners alike.  

 

 

May

• Chelsea Flower Show: The horticultural highlight of spring, the Chelsea Flower Show exhibits exciting and innovative flowers and landscape gardens to an audience from all over the world. 

 

 

June

• London Festival of Architecture: Europe’s biggest annual architecture festival celebrates London’s rich architectural heritage and its place as a global architectural hub. 

• Pride Festival: Taking places over two weeks in late June, Pride is a colorful celebration of London’s LGBT+ community complete with theater art, dance, conferences and more. 

 

 

July

• Wimbledon: One of the world’s most prestigious tennis tournaments, Wimbledon commences at the start of July at the iconic All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon. 

• British Summer Time Hyde Park: A series of big-name concerts held in Hyde Park over the course of two weekends in July. Previous headliners include Take That, Stevie Wonder, Massive Attack and The Who.

 

August

• Film4 Summer Screen: Enjoy two weeks of outdoor cinema at one of the most spectacular settings in London. Watch cult classics, contemporary dramas and premieres projected on the big screen at the stunning Somerset House.

• Notting Hill Carnival: Europe’s biggest street festival is a real spectacle, with amazing floats, fabulous music and delicious Caribbean food. Celebrate the August bank holiday in style! 

 

 

September

• Totally Thames: Running throughout September, the Totally Thames festival hosts a range of events along the river from large installations and live performances to boat trips and interesting exhibitions. 

• Open House London: Some of London’s most interesting and unique venues open their doors to the public for one weekend only. Admission is free but tickets sell very quickly, so advance booking is recommended. 

 

October

• London Film Festival: With premieres, documentaries, features and shorts from all over the world, as well as director Q&As, events and workshops, the London Film Festival is the perfect event for cinema aficionados. 

 

November

• The Lord Mayor’s Show: Dating back over 800 years, this traditional three- part event starts with a flotilla on the Thames followed by the famous Lord Mayor’s Procession. A spectacular fireworks display over the river completes proceedings. 

• London Jazz Festival: Showcasing both international and domestic talent, the London Jazz Festival brings jazz music to the masses with large concerts, outstanding collaborations and intimate events. 

 

December

• Hyde Park Winter Wonderland: For six weeks over winter, London’s Hyde Park is transformed into a magical winter wonderland with a range of fun activities and festive entertainment. Skate around the UK’s largest open-air ice rink, stroll through the German Christmas Market or visit Father Christmas at Santa Land. 

• New Year’s Eve Fireworks: Ring in the New Year with a spectacular firework display set against London’s striking skyline. This is a very popular event so remember to get your tickets in advance!

 

Weather and local info

What will the weather be like in London?

Tab Panel

Local information

Flight information

Fly direct from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to London Heathrow Airport (LHR). Check out our handy airport guide before you fly. The flight from Seattle to London is approximately 9 hours.   

Visa information

Visit our dedicated UK visa page for more information on the travel documents you will need.

Local currency

The currency in London is the Pound (GBP).

Tab Panel

Local transport

The most popular way to travel around London is via the London Underground, or the Tube for short. The bus network is also a popular mode of transport in London. The double-decker red buses have become a widely recognized symbol of London.

Time difference

London is 8 hours ahead of Seattle

Electricity

The voltage in London is usually 230 volts and the 3 pronged British plugs are used here.

Search for flights from Seattle to LondonSeattle to London flights