Gatwick vs Heathrow

Very much so. I would price flights out of both and see what you get. We have flown into both.

Price is not the only consideration; where you intend to go afterwards comes into it for weighing up convenience. It could even end up that another entry point makes more sense.

Karene, London has SIX airports: Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, City, Luton and Southend.
Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted have intercontinental flights, the others Europe only (I think). All have similar access by train (+bus for Luton) from central London.
All are "valid" airports, choose by price and convenience. Heathrow is "biggest, busiest and badest". Given a choice with all other factors being equal, I would choose Gatwick over Heathrow, but others might disagree.

They’re very much similar in terms of getting into London, and I’ll choose somewhere across the city from both airports. The Piccadilly line from Heathrow takes about an hour to get to King’s Cross (and even if you caught the Heathrow Express to Paddington, getting the Circle Line there would mean it’s an hour trip too).

Cost is comparable if you’re getting the Thameslink or Southern trains from LGW or the tube or Elizabeth Line from LHR and you can use an Oyster Card (transport card with an RFID chip in it, preloaded with money for your travel needs) on either.

We’ve flown from our local airport via Philly, Detroit, Charlotte, Dulles in DC, and from Newark and I honestly can’t remember which ones went to Heathrow and which went to Gatwick. It’s a 50/50 thing. If you’re staying in Zone 1 Of London south-ish, Gatwick. If you’re staying West-ish, Heathrow. Even more so if you’re outside of Zone 1 ...but if you’re staying East-ish or North-ish of the middle of everything (and in my mind, the middle would be Oxford Circus Tube Station) then go with the cheapest and best flights for you.

The OP hasn't said where they will be staying (even if it is London for that matter) ... and I have just noticed the question refers only to going back to the USA not arriving.

There is a flight from London City to New York on British Airways. It's only business class on an Airbus 319.

One consideration is the time of year. Heathrow is extremely congested and a bout of bad weather can result in many flight cancellations particularly if de-icing is an issue. Gatwick has more resilience and far fewer flights are cancelled in comparison to Gatwick (although long haul routes tend to be down the chain in cancellations).

I prefer Heathrow T5 for a number of reasons but if weather is likely to be an issue then Gatwick would be the preferable choice.

I tend to use Gatwick as it is closer to where I live. However, Gatwick has improved over the past year, as the refurbishment works that were causing delays seem to have been completed and getting through passport control and bag searches was very quick.

I had no delays coming back in on Thursday evening. It’s pleasanter than much of Heathrow.

Frank II I think that London City/NYC flight is gone. The airline is out of business I think. My sales director was thrilled to see that flight and tried to book it a week ago and couldn't find it.

Pam

British Airways has not gone out of business. BA1 still flies from London City to New York, touching down enroute at Shannon for US customs/immigration. Doesn't go on a Saturday. It is business class only though, with 32 seats.

British Airways has not gone out of business. BA1 still flies from London City to New York, touching down enroute at Shannon for US customs/immigration

And fuel. The runway at London City is too short for a fully fueled Airbus 319. So it makes the hour flight to Shannon and while it is being refueled the passengers go through U.S. immigration and customs.

The flight from JFK to LCY is nonstop.

Frank II I think that London City/NYC flight is gone. The airline is
out of business I think. My sales director was thrilled to see that
flight and tried to book it a week ago and couldn't find it.

Perhaps she or he didn't look at BA's website? BA isn't out of business.

BA's JFK -- LCY is Flight 2 (nonstop)
BA's LCY -- JFK is Flight 1 (with a stop at Shannon)

Hi,

Gatwick is certainly a valid airport for me to fly back to, either to SFO or OAK. In a way I prefer Gatwick over LHR since I stay at Kings Cross, direct connection to Gatwick from St Pancras on the Thameslink train, instead of taking the Tube with luggage between KC and Heathrow.

I fly Br Air. If the price and dep times are satisfactory, I would take either LHR or Gatwick. Gatwick is just a bit more convenient from KC.

Probably because BA has a terminal at JFK and nothing at LGA

Apart from Denver, and Saturday. A mixed couple of exceptions ...

I'm confused about the BA 1/2 flights, if US customs is at Shannon
then why not fly from there to LGA? If the purpose of the flight is
business convenience, that would be most convenient, unless the
runways are too short at LGA for enough fuel for a return flight to
LCY.

LGA's runways are short. Tom_MN is right; there is a 1,500 mile flight distance maximum with one exception -- Denver. There is a variance allowing flights between LGA & DEN.

757s can take off and land from LGA and have done so for years and years. I suspect the reasons for not having 757 European and transcontinental flights to/from LGA are more bureaucratic. LGA is pretty maxed out anyway and with all of the endless construction nightmare taking place, it is typically faster to commute between JFK & Midtown/downtown than LGA & Midtown/downtown.

Heathrow and Gatwick are both great- so its just personal preference, though I find Gatwick can be cheaper to fly into.

Happy Travels✨💫