2026 Flight Guide

Which Airlines Fly to Florida
from the UK?

Every airline, route, and schedule for UK to Florida flights in 2026, plus an interactive price heatmap to find the cheapest dates.

5

Direct airlines

10+

1-stop options

15

Airlines total

In this guide

UK to Florida Flight Prices by Airline

Each airline has its own schedule, and some only fly on certain days or during certain months. The interactive heatmap below brings all of this together. It shows every available departure date colour-coded by price, so you can instantly see which days each airline operates and how much they are charging. This is especially useful for airlines like Norse and TUI that do not fly daily.

Cheaper Pricier

Pick a date to check live prices

Tap a coloured date on the calendar above to see which airlines fly that day and search for fares

How to Use the Heatmap

Select your departure airport (London or Manchester), choose your destination, pick your trip length, and then use the airline filter to see only the carriers you are interested in. The calendar shows which dates are cheapest (green) and most expensive (red) for your selection. Grey days mean no flights are available for that combination. Click any coloured date to see the airlines flying on that day and get a link to check live prices.

Direct Flights vs 1-Stop Connections

The first question most people ask is whether they can fly direct to Florida from the UK. The good news is that there are several direct options, though they are concentrated on the London to Orlando route. If you are flying from Manchester, or heading to Tampa or Melbourne, you will have fewer direct choices but plenty of well-connected alternatives.

Airlines with Direct UK to Florida Routes

These airlines operate non-stop flights between the UK and Florida. Flight times are typically 9 to 10 hours.

British Airways

British Airways

The widest direct coverage of any airline. BA flies direct from Gatwick to Orlando and Tampa, and from Heathrow to Orlando. The only airline offering a direct flight to Tampa from anywhere in the UK.

LGW to MCO LGW to TPA LHR to MCO
Virgin Atlantic

Virgin Atlantic

A popular choice from both London and Manchester. Virgin flies direct from Heathrow to Orlando, and from Manchester to Orlando. Also offers 1-stop connections to Tampa and Melbourne via other airlines in the SkyTeam alliance.

LHR to MCO MAN to MCO
Norse Atlantic Airways

Norse Atlantic Airways

The budget-friendly direct option from Gatwick. Norse often offers the lowest direct prices to Orlando, making them a favourite for families watching the budget. They operate Boeing 787 Dreamliners.

LGW to MCO
Aer Lingus

Aer Lingus

Aer Lingus operates direct flights from Dublin to Orlando, with convenient connections from UK airports including Manchester, Birmingham, and Edinburgh. Note that Aer Lingus ended its direct Manchester to Orlando route at the end of March 2026, so all UK connections now go via Dublin.

DUB to MCO (via Dublin)
TUI

TUI

The only airline flying direct to Melbourne, Florida from the UK. TUI operates from both Gatwick and Manchester and offers a range of trip durations from 3 to 28 nights. Melbourne is around 70 minutes from the main Orlando theme parks.

LGW to MLB MAN to MLB

Airlines with 1-Stop Connections

These airlines connect you to Florida with one stop, typically at a European or US hub. Adding a stop opens up far more airline and schedule options, and can be significantly cheaper during peak travel periods.

Airline Typical Hub UK Airports Florida Destinations
American AirlinesVarious US hubsHeathrowOrlando
DeltaAtlanta, New YorkHeathrowOrlando
United AirlinesNewark, WashingtonHeathrowOrlando
Air FranceParis (CDG)Gatwick, ManchesterOrlando, Tampa
KLMAmsterdam (AMS)Heathrow, ManchesterOrlando, Tampa, Melbourne
LufthansaFrankfurt, MunichHeathrow, ManchesterOrlando, Tampa
IcelandairReykjavik (KEF)Gatwick, Heathrow, ManchesterOrlando
IberiaMadrid (MAD)HeathrowOrlando
Air TransatToronto, MontrealGatwick, ManchesterOrlando, Tampa

Direct vs 1-Stop: When is it Worth it?

During school holidays, 1-stop flights can be hundreds of pounds cheaper per person than direct options. During term time, the price difference narrows significantly, making the convenience of a direct flight much easier to justify. See our cost guide for a detailed price comparison.

About 1-stop connections

A 1-stop flight doesn't necessarily mean a longer ordeal. Many European hub connections (via Amsterdam, Paris, or Dublin) involve a short first hop followed by a direct transatlantic flight. Total journey time is typically 13 to 16 hours including the layover, compared to 9 to 10 hours for a direct flight.

Flying from London to Florida

London has the most options for getting to Florida, with flights from both Gatwick (LGW) and Heathrow (LHR). Between the two airports, you have access to 4 direct airlines and over 10 one-stop options.

London Gatwick (LGW)

Direct flights

British Airways
Orlando (MCO)Tampa (TPA)
Norse Atlantic
Orlando (MCO)
TUI
Melbourne (MLB)

1-Stop connections to Orlando

Air Francevia Paris
Icelandairvia Reykjavik
Air Transatvia Canada

London Heathrow (LHR)

Direct flights

British AirwaysOrlando (MCO)
Virgin AtlanticOrlando (MCO)

1-Stop connections to Orlando

Heathrow has the widest range of connecting options, with 12 airlines operating via their respective hubs:

American Airlines Air France British Airways (1-stop) Delta Aer Lingus Icelandair Iberia KLM Lufthansa United Airlines Virgin Atlantic (1-stop)

London Price Range

Based on our price tracking data, return flights from London to Orlando range from around £233 per person (Norse Atlantic, off-peak) up to £2,400+ (peak summer on major carriers). The sweet spot for most travellers is typically £400 to £800 for a return flight.

Flying from Manchester to Florida

Manchester is the main departure point for the north of England, and while it has fewer direct options than London, it still offers coverage with Virgin Atlantic direct to Orlando, TUI direct to Melbourne, and a range of 1-stop connections to Orlando, Tampa, and Melbourne.

Aer Lingus No Longer Flies Direct from Manchester

As of the end of March 2026, Aer Lingus has cancelled its direct Manchester to Orlando route. You can still fly Aer Lingus from Manchester, but it will be a 1-stop connection via Dublin.

Manchester (MAN)

Direct flights

Virgin AtlanticOrlando (MCO)
TUIMelbourne (MLB)

1-Stop connections

To Orlando:

Air FranceBritish AirwaysAer Lingus (1-stop)IcelandairKLMLufthansaAir TransatVirgin Atlantic (1-stop)

To Tampa:

British AirwaysKLMLufthansaAir TransatVirgin Atlantic

To Melbourne:

Virgin Atlantic

Manchester Price Range

Return flights from Manchester to Orlando range from around £424 per person (Aer Lingus, off-peak) up to £2,300+ during peak summer. Manchester tends to be slightly more expensive than London on average, but the gap narrows outside of school holidays.

Flying to Orlando (MCO)

Orlando International Airport (MCO) is the main gateway to Florida's theme parks and by far the most popular destination for UK holidaymakers. It has the widest choice of airlines from the UK, with direct flights from three airports and over a dozen 1-stop options.

All Airlines Flying to Orlando from the UK

AirlineGatwickHeathrowManchester
British AirwaysDirectDirect1-stop
Virgin Atlantic-DirectDirect
Norse AtlanticDirect--
Aer Lingus-1-stop1-stop
American Airlines-1-stop-
Air France1-stop1-stop1-stop
Delta-1-stop-
Icelandair1-stop1-stop1-stop
Iberia-1-stop-
KLM-1-stop1-stop
Lufthansa-1-stop1-stop
United Airlines-1-stop-
Air Transat1-stop-1-stop

Flying to Tampa (TPA)

Tampa International Airport is the gateway to Florida's Gulf Coast, Busch Gardens, and is also a convenient alternative for families visiting the Disney and Universal parks (about a 75-minute drive). It has far fewer UK flight options than Orlando, but there is one direct route.

Direct flights

British AirwaysFrom Gatwick only

1-Stop connections (from Manchester)

British AirwaysKLMLufthansaAir TransatVirgin Atlantic

Why Consider Tampa?

Tampa is often overlooked by UK families, but it can offer real advantages. The airport is smaller and quicker to navigate, car hire pickup tends to be faster, and if you are planning beach days or a visit to Busch Gardens, you will be much better positioned. For theme park visitors, the I-4 runs directly between Tampa and Orlando.

Flying to Melbourne (MLB)

Melbourne Orlando International Airport is the smallest of the three Florida airports served from the UK, but it has a loyal following among UK holidaymakers. It's about a 70-minute drive from the main Orlando theme parks and offers a much quieter, less stressful arrival experience.

Direct flights

TUI
From GatwickFrom Manchester

1-Stop connections

Virgin Atlantic (from Manchester)KLM (from Manchester)

Melbourne Price Range

TUI flights to Melbourne range from around £456 per person (off-peak from Gatwick) to £1,340 (peak from Manchester). Because TUI is a package holiday airline, prices include hold luggage and meals, making them more comparable to the total cost of a scheduled airline once extras are added.

When Do They Fly? Schedules and Seasonality

Not every airline flies every day or every month. Understanding the schedule differences between carriers is key to planning your trip, because the airline you want might not operate on the day you need. Here is what our flight price data shows about how often each direct airline operates.

British Airways

When Does British Airways Fly to Florida?

BA offers the most comprehensive year-round schedule of any airline flying direct from the UK to Florida. From Gatwick, they fly to Orlando daily every day of the week and operate all 12 months of the year, making them the easiest carrier to book with if you need specific dates. Their Gatwick to Tampa service also runs year-round, though with slightly reduced frequency on Tuesdays and Fridays.

From Heathrow, the picture is very different. BA only offers a direct Orlando service during the summer school holidays, running from late July to late August on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Outside of that window, any BA flight from Heathrow to Orlando will be a 1-stop connection.

LGW to Orlando

Daily

Year-round

LGW to Tampa

Daily

Year-round (fewer Tue/Fri)

LHR to Orlando

Tue/Thu/Sat

Summer only (Jul-Aug)

Virgin Atlantic

When Does Virgin Atlantic Fly to Florida?

Virgin Atlantic runs a strong daily schedule from both Heathrow and Manchester to Orlando throughout the year. From Heathrow, they fly every day of the week from February through to December, with the highest frequency during the summer months. From Manchester, the pattern is similar, with daily departures year-round, though the number of available fares increases noticeably during July and August as they likely add extra capacity for school holidays.

LHR to Orlando

Daily

Year-round (Feb-Dec)

MAN to Orlando

Daily

Year-round (Feb-Dec)

Norse Atlantic Airways

When Does Norse Atlantic Fly to Florida?

Norse flies from Gatwick to Orlando on most days of the week throughout the year, but their schedule is not quite as consistent as BA or Virgin. They operate roughly 4 to 5 days per week rather than daily, and the available days can shift from week to week. Thursdays and Fridays tend to have the most departures, while Saturdays are the day they are least likely to fly. During the peak summer months (April to September), they operate almost every day. In winter, the frequency drops, particularly in November and December.

This is one of the airlines where the flight price heatmap above is especially useful, as it will show you exactly which dates Norse operate on so you can plan around their schedule.

LGW to Orlando

4-5 days/week

Year-round (fewer flights Nov-Feb)

TUI

When Does TUI Fly to Florida?

TUI has the most limited schedule of any direct airline to Florida, operating only between March and November with just 2 to 3 departures per week. From Gatwick, they fly to Melbourne on Sundays and Wednesdays. From Manchester, the main days are Mondays and Thursdays, with Fridays added from May through to October for extra summer capacity.

There are no TUI flights during the winter months (December to February), so if you are planning a Christmas or New Year trip to Florida, TUI is not an option. Because TUI only operates a few days per week, checking the heatmap above is the best way to see exactly which dates have TUI departures and what they cost.

LGW to Melbourne

Sun + Wed

March to November only

MAN to Melbourne

Mon + Thu (+Fri summer)

March to November only

Aer Lingus

When Does Aer Lingus Fly to Florida?

Aer Lingus previously flew direct from Manchester to Orlando on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, but cancelled this route at the end of March 2026. All Aer Lingus connections from the UK to Florida now go via their Dublin hub. As a 1-stop option, they still offer daily connections from both London and Manchester to Orlando through Dublin.

What About 1-Stop Airlines?

The major 1-stop carriers like American Airlines, Delta, United, Lufthansa, and KLM all operate daily connections to Orlando from the UK via their respective hubs. Because they route through large hub airports (Dallas, Atlanta, Newark, Frankfurt, Amsterdam), there is nearly always a connection available every day of the week. This makes 1-stop options particularly useful if you need to travel on a specific date when a direct airline does not operate.

Key Takeaways

  • London has the most choice: 4 direct airlines across Gatwick and Heathrow, plus over 10 one-stop options. If finding the cheapest price is your priority, London gives you the most to compare.
  • Manchester has solid direct options: Virgin Atlantic flies direct to Orlando, and TUI flies direct to Melbourne. Aer Lingus cancelled its direct Manchester to Orlando service in March 2026 but still connects via Dublin. For Tampa and Melbourne via connections, you still have 5 or more airlines to choose from.
  • Orlando is the easiest to reach: With 13+ airlines serving it from the UK, you will have the widest choice of dates, times, and prices. Tampa and Melbourne have fewer options but can be worth considering for less crowded arrivals.
  • Norse Atlantic often has the lowest direct fares: From Gatwick to Orlando, Norse regularly undercuts the major carriers, with returns from around £233 per person off-peak.
  • TUI is unique for Melbourne but seasonal: They are the only airline flying direct to Melbourne from the UK, but only operate March to November with just 2 to 3 flights per week. Use the heatmap to see exactly which dates they fly.
  • 1-stop flights are worth considering: Especially during school holidays when direct flights carry a significant premium. European hub connections via Amsterdam, Paris, Dublin, or Reykjavik are typically the quickest one-stop options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which airlines fly direct from the UK to Florida?

Five airlines operate direct flights from the UK to Florida in 2026: British Airways (from Gatwick and Heathrow), Virgin Atlantic (from Heathrow and Manchester), Norse Atlantic Airways (from Gatwick), TUI Airways (from Gatwick and Manchester), and Aer Lingus (previously direct from Manchester, now connecting via Dublin). BA and Virgin fly year-round, while Norse and TUI have seasonal or limited schedules.

Can I fly direct from Manchester to Florida?

Yes. Virgin Atlantic flies direct from Manchester to Orlando daily year-round, and TUI operates direct Manchester to Melbourne flights between March and November. Aer Lingus cancelled its direct Manchester to Orlando route in March 2026 but still offers connections via Dublin. For Tampa, there are no direct flights from Manchester, but several 1-stop options are available via European and US hubs.

What is the cheapest airline to fly from the UK to Florida?

Norse Atlantic Airways consistently offers the lowest direct fares from the UK to Florida, with off-peak return flights from Gatwick to Orlando starting from around £233 per person. However, Norse only flies from Gatwick and has a limited schedule (3 to 5 days per week), so availability is more restricted than BA or Virgin. For 1-stop flights, carriers like Aer Lingus via Dublin and Icelandair via Reykjavik can also be competitive on price.

Which Florida airports can I fly to from the UK?

Three Florida airports are served directly from the UK: Orlando (MCO), Tampa (TPA), and Melbourne (MLB). Orlando has by far the most options with 13+ airlines. Tampa is served direct by British Airways from Gatwick, plus several 1-stop carriers. Melbourne is only served direct by TUI from Gatwick and Manchester on a seasonal basis.

How long is the flight from the UK to Florida?

A direct flight from the UK to Florida takes approximately 9 to 10 hours outbound and around 8 to 9 hours on the return. The slight difference is due to prevailing headwinds on the westbound crossing. From Manchester, flights tend to be around 20 to 30 minutes longer than from London. 1-stop connections typically add 3 to 6 hours depending on the layover city and connection time.

Is it cheaper to fly to Orlando, Tampa, or Melbourne?

Orlando generally offers the cheapest flights because it has the most airline competition. Tampa tends to be priced similarly to Orlando on BA routes but has fewer alternatives. Melbourne is only served by TUI, which includes baggage and meals in its fares, making direct price comparisons tricky. Use the price heatmap above to compare real prices across all three destinations for your dates.

Are 1-stop flights to Florida worth it?

1-stop flights can save you hundreds of pounds per person, especially during school holidays when direct flights carry a significant premium. The quickest 1-stop options tend to be via Dublin (Aer Lingus), Amsterdam (KLM), or Reykjavik (Icelandair), with total journey times of around 13 to 15 hours. During off-peak periods the price difference narrows, and many travellers prefer the convenience of flying direct.

Ready to Find Your Dates?

Use the flight price heatmap above to compare dates, airlines, and airports. Or check out our full cost guide for a breakdown of what your Florida trip will cost.

Data Source: Route and airline data based on our flight price database covering UK to Florida routes. Prices shown are from tracked return flight prices and may vary. Airlines and routes are subject to change. Last updated February 2026.