Good afternoon. This question I am sure has been asked, but if everyone doesn't mind me asking again. Flying to Scotland from Los Angeles, California. Is it better to fly from LAX to New York with a 2-hour layover and then to Edinburgh? Is it better to fly LAX International directly to Heathrow and then take a train to Edinburgh?
Thank you
It all depends on what you want to do. We’re flying in September from San Francisco to Heathrow to Glasgow. Personally, I would rather not come off an international flight and have to make my way to the appropriate trains and then sit on one for 4 1/2 hours. At least in Heathrow, I’ll just have to be alert enough to just follow the signs thru security and wait for the gate to come up on the departure board.
And if you aren’t a fan of Heathrow, I would do your first option. We’ve gone thru Newark a number of times without problems on United.
I suspect this is up to personal preference. The long flight to London offers more uninterrupted time if you can sleep on airplanes. Two shorter legs gives you a break to stretch your legs. If I am flying premium economy or business class then I would pick to long flight to Europe.
Is your connecting flight in London on BA? They probably have more options to get you to your destination in Scotland in case you miss your connection vs say United if flying through Newark.
I would look at the price because with option 2 you’ll have to factor in the price of the train from London to Edinburgh plus the cost to get from the airport to the train station. If the costs are equal or if that is not an issue for you, I think I would change in NY. Normally, I like to get to Europe first, but it’s going to be a lot easier to fly to Edinburgh than it will be to get from the airport to the train station with your luggage then sit on the train for 4 hours or so, especially if you can fly Premium Economy or First.
I would take the first option and make a change in New York. New York to Edinburgh will only be around 6 - 7 hour flight time. Taking the train from London to Edinburgh will not be as glamorous as it sounds with luggage and jet lag and it will take up most of your first day. If pricing is comparable, take the connection at JFK.
Well, laughing, neither of those would make me happy! Is there an option to change in Amsterdam? I did that in 2023 and if you transit from the US thru AMS to UK you stay in the non-schengen area of the airport so you don't have to go thru Passport control or security. It was the easiest transit I've ever done.
I'm going again in July and this time have a flight from Spokane to Atlanta (I'd rather change there than NYC - different concourses for international flights but all under the same roof) and Atlanta to Edinburgh. Coming home I'm transiting thru AMS and Seattle back to Spokane.
How many days do you have? Will you be able to add any days on to stay in London for a day or 2 in case you have any travel delays?
Traveling to Scotland for golf two years ago, I flew through AMS and it was fine. Problem was that the airline was KLM, whose business class stinks. Economy class should be no worse than British, which dominates the LAX to Heathrow market.
First, I'm scratching my head why some responders suggested that after arriving at Heathrow you should then travel into London to take the train to Edinburgh when you could easily take a flight from Heathrow to Edinburgh?
With your two options, there is a lot to consider. Is there a big cost difference between the two? Do you mind longer flights?
Personally, I would take the direct flight LAX to London and then switch to a flight to Edinburgh.
If you take the flight from LA to NY and it is late making you miss the flight the Edinburgh, there may not be another flight until the next day unless they route you through London or somewhere else.
But if your flight from LAX into Heathrow is late, there are numorous flights from there to Edinburgh daily.
Buy it all on one ticket so you are covered in case of problems. Buy direct from the airlines. Not a third party.
If you fly British Airways the entire way, all flights will be in and out of Terminal 5 at Heathrow.
I’m with Pam, I would look for a flight through Amsterdam instead of Heathrow. It’s a much easier airport to transit through.
I'm with Frank II. Unless there is a worthwhile price difference, I would take the nonstop to London Heathrow and transfer to a flight to Edinburgh or Glasgow.
Flying all on one ticket with British Airways is all the same terminal. Even changing terminals is not that difficult as long as you purchase all flights on one ticket. There is excellent signage at Heathrow for transferring passengers, as well as info on the website.
Fly to Heathrow. If your plane is delayed, at least you will be in England. Then you have lots of options for getting to Edinburgh.
Frank, taking the train was addressed because that was one of the OP’s questions…last sentence :-)
I avoid Heathrow at all costs...literally. I will pay extra money to land anywhere but Heathrow as I have never seen such a chaotic airport and dealt with so much confusion, including many rude airport staff.
