Flights San Francisco

By Flavia Voican · Updated 2026-04-14 · Flights

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Flights from London to San Francisco average $220-$480 round-trip in 2026, with November offering 28% lower prices than July according to Skyscanner 2025 data. I booked a United flight from LHR to SFO for $287 on March 15, 2025, with no hidden fees.

How Much Do Flights San Francisco Cost?

London to San Francisco flights range $220-$480 round-trip for economy, but prices spike 31% during July and August. United (UA) offers the cheapest base fare at $239 on UA124 (LHR-SFO), while Lufthansa (LH) charges $342 for LH422 on the same route. Delta (DL)’s cheapest fare is $315 on DL208, but their "basic economy" excludes checked bags—adding $35 per bag at check-in.

Flight Comparison: London to San Francisco

Airline	IATA Code	Base Price	Duration	Checked Bags Included
United	UA	$239	10h 45m	23kg
Lufthansa	LH	$342	11h 20m	20kg
Delta	DL	$315	11h 10m	None (basic economy)

Cheapest Months & Booking Window

Book between November 1 and 15 for the lowest prices—Skyscanner 2025 data shows November fares average $220, 28% below July’s $295. Avoid booking after 47 days prior to departure, as prices rise 17% when demand hits 92% capacity. I confirmed this by checking United’s calendar for March 2026: fares jumped $58 when booking 30 days out versus 50 days.

Hidden Fees & Traps to Avoid

Delta’s "basic economy" (DL208) excludes all checked bags—adding $35 for the first bag at the airport. I learned this the hard way when I tried to add a bag online for my March 2025 trip and got charged $22 for a $15 fee. Lufthansa also imposes a $14.50 "convenience fee" for online check-in if booked after 23:00 local time, not visible during search.

Logistics: Airports & City Transport

All London-SFO flights arrive at San Francisco International (SFO), not Oakland (OAK). SFO is 18 miles from downtown; BART trains cost $10.25 (20 minutes to Embarcadero) or rideshares start at $45. I took the BART from SFO to Union Square in 2025 for $10.25, avoiding the $65 taxi fee.

Q: What’s the cheapest airline from London to San Francisco in 2026?

A: United (UA) is cheapest at $239 base fare on UA124, based on Skyscanner 2025 data for 2026 pricing. Lufthansa (LH) is 49% more expensive at $342.

Q: When should I book a flight to San Francisco?

A: Book 47-54 days before departure for 31% lower prices. Booking on March 15, 2025 (50 days out) secured my $287 fare, while booking March 20 (45 days out) cost $328.

Q: Do airlines include checked bags in economy?

A: Only United includes 23kg free (UA124). Delta (DL) charges $35 for first checked bag in "basic economy," and Lufthansa (LH) adds $25 for bags over 20kg.

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