Best Time to Fly out of US and Arrive in London

We’ve normally taken flights that arrive in Europe early in the day, but as we get older, we find it harder to kill the time before check in. This year, we’re flying ATL-LHR, arrives around 11 am. Don’t have a hotel booked yet, but want to stay around Whitehall. I figure by the time we get out of the airport and into town it will be close enough to check in time to only need to kill a couple of hours.

DH and I are perhaps blessed, in that we can sleep on flights. And we can get direct flights to most of the major airports in western Europe. We prefer an evening flight in business class. A light dinner in the lounge before boarding, then the lay flat seats after take off until breakfast is served. Since we stay in hotels rather than Airbnbs or apartments, it's a simple matter of dropping off our bags before heading out for the day. Jet lag is minimal, and we can enjoy walking about (weather permitting), and then an early night after dinner. But as you noted, everyone is different. If a daytime flight suits your rhythms better, then that is what you should do.

We like a midday arrival. Sometimes the room is ready but we can always dump the luggage, get some lunch, then return to shower. I like a late afternoon 1 hour nap that first day (no more than an hour!), then a walk and dinner at local time be in 7 in the UK or after 8 in Italy.

It depends on where you are flying from and what is available.

I now only take daytime flights to London. I leave NYC in the morning and arrive in the evening. I can go straight to my hotel and check in. I find this works best--at least for me--regarding jet lag.

I like daytime flights so much that later this week I am flying to Reykjavik from Boston because it is the only Icelandair daytime flight from the US this time of year. I'll stay in Iceland a few days and then head down to Scotland.

Flying in from the west coast, our dream arrival time would be your 1:30pm arrival time. By the time you get to your hotel you are able to check in, freshen up and get out and about for a bit; before jet lag wipes you out.
Early morning arrivals are not fun for us.

For years I’ve flown LAX to LHR via a Virgin Airlines overnight flight.

I fly with carry only so once we’ve landed, gone through immigration I’m headed into my favorite city for a late lunch, early dinner.

I’ll enjoy a pint with the meal and am back in my room to shower ( it relaxes me ) to get the sleep I really didn’t have on the plane. An early riser I’m out the door just after sunrise to explore my neighborhood. I’ll find the closest cafe that serves breakfast, closest pharmacy ( Boots) and tube station. By that time my brain and body are adjusted to the time change.

We love flying fro the East Coast in the daytime and arriving close to bedtime.

Of the choice you list I would choose the ATL flight.

Would be easier for me to fall asleep with the later departure and the 1:30 arrival gets me to my lodging at/after check in time so less bother of what to do with the bags. Depending on the time of year, it gives you some early evening time to wander your neighborhood and get dinner and be set for bed by 9-10PM and ready to go in the morning.

There is no right or wrong choice, its just what works for you

Many thanks to everyone who has responded. I appreciate your comments.

Though it was a coin toss, I decided to switch to the Atlanta flight that arrives at 1:30 p.m. The flight that I wanted arrives at 11:30 a.m., but the price in Sky Miles was too high. I have never caught an overseas flight leaving late at night, but I thought I would give it a try and see how it works out. I have caught flights arriving in Europe at 7 a.m. or so, and I find that they are certainly too early.

Happy Mardi Gras to all!

OP

Let the good times roll…