Watch TPG U.K. fly 5 different airlines on day flights between New York and London
The TPG teams (myself included) fly frequently across the Atlantic, and therefore often find ourselves feeling dazed and confused from the effects of jet lag. It affects us all in different ways, and many TPG frequent travelers have their own tips and tricks about how to best survive a time change.
For many, flying a day flight from the U.S. to Europe is the best way to combat the effects of jet lag.
There are five airlines that fly daytime flights from New York to London, including American Airlines, British Airways, Norwegian Air, United Airlines and Virgin Atlantic. So, after a recent trip to New York for work, we thought we'd put them all to the test to compare what it's like to fly each one.
American Airlines
Jean Arnas, U.K. head of video, was tapped to fly American Airlines. His flight was scheduled to depart at the rather friendly time of 10:30 a.m. from New York's Kennedy Airport (JFK), and was due to arrive at London Heathrow Airport (LHR) at 10:10 p.m. The flight was operated by a Boeing 777-200 aircraft, flying as AA142.
Jean loved the modern and varied IFE system and how speedily the crew reacted to the call button. However, he didn't like the fact that he had to pay for the vodka in his Bloody Mary.
For one-way flights across the Pond with AA, you can expect to pay 22,500 AAdvantage miles + $5.60. If you're using cash, you can expect to find round-trip flights between New York and London from about $350.
British Airways
Nicky Kelvin, U.K. director of content, flew the earliest departure of the day: BA178 from JFK to Heathrow, with a scheduled departure time of 8:05 a.m. and an arrival of 7:50 p.m, operated by a Boeing 747-400 -- the Queen of the Skies.
Overall, he enjoyed his experience. His crew was very friendly and his well-selected seat at the back of the plane meant that he had more storage and fewer neighbors than he would have had in other seats in the economy cabin of the 747. Pain points included poor-quality headphones and a rather small second meal. Though, like many an AvGeek, he loved the look of the outside of his BA Boeing 747, though the interior of the cabin was showing its age.
You can expect to pay 13,000 Avios + $100 or at least $350 in cash for a round-trip journey between NYC and London.
Norwegian Air
U.K. senior writer Ben Smithson flew Norwegian's Boeing 787 Dreamliner in economy back across the Atlantic. His flight was DI7014 from JFK to Gatwick (LGW) with the latest departure of 11:20 a.m., arriving in London at 10:20 p.m.
Ben enjoyed the later departure time of 11:20 a.m. and was impressed by the generous legroom and the box of sweets, which helped to pass the time. However, the experience was a little rough around the edges: The pre-ordered meals were tiny, his baggage took around an hour to arrive at Gatwick and the boarding process was a mess.
Usually Norwegian offers very reasonable fares -- both for one-way and round-trip tickets. We paid $153 for the one-way, though round-trips can be had for as little as $325.

United Airlines
U.K. social media editor Liam Spencer flew United's Boeing 767 from Newark (EWR) to Heathrow (LHR). His flight, UA934, departed at 8:30 a.m., with a scheduled arrival time in London of 8:35 p.m.
The wide variety and high quality of the food, unexpected snacks throughout the flight as well as a stocked inflight entertainment system were the highlights of his flight. However, the lengthy boarding process and lack of overhead bin space were a low point. Peculiarly, there was no call button or reading light at his seat, either.
One-way flights can be booked from 30,000 United MileagePlus miles, and if you're paying cash you can expect to pay at least $350 for a round-trip ticket.
Virgin Atlantic
This year was the first time I'd ever flown Virgin Atlantic and was really happy when I found out I'd be flying the airline's A330 as VS26 from JFK to Heathrow. My flight's scheduled departure time was 8:05 a.m., due to land in London at 8:05 p.m.
I really enjoyed the food on the flight, despite the fact that the main meal didn't come until around half way through the flight. Make sure to have a hearty breakfast before taking this flight if you're likely to be hungry. The crew were outstanding, not only catering to my strange food intolerances, but I noticed individual members of the crew going the extra mile for other passengers throughout the flight. The seat area was a little dirtier than I would have expected.
You can book a one-way transatlantic flight from New York to London for 10,000 Flying Club miles and about $200 or from about $400 for a round-trip cash ticket.
Bottom line
Day flights from North America to Europe can help reduce the effects of jet lag, and as frequent Pond hoppers, we can't recommend them enough. If you've never tried a day flight from the East Coast of the U.S. to London, take a look at our experiences, see which airline is the best fit for you, and book away.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.

