Reading VS 26: its schedule, on-time record, turbulence and airports.Still counting: a new flight takes up to a minute the first time.
Virgin Atlantic · leaves Thu, November 12
ON TIME
8:00 AM
leaves the gate · JFK · Terminal 4
In 13 h 9 min
Planned · lands 8:02 PM London time
New York LondonVS 26
Updated 6:51 PM New York · 11:51 PM London · live data
Virgin Atlantic·Airbus A330-900neoLeavesThu, Nov 12tomorrowVS 26 New York to London: Scheduled8:00AMJFKNew YorkTerminal 4Scheduled8:10PMLHRLondonTerminal 3
Held down by slow airports59 min into London; minutes waiting at security and passport control not in our data yet
The Pulse is the average of its parts: (95 + 100 + 41 + 100) ÷ 4 = 84Pulse84
On the day, follow itin FlightPassport
The Pulse is the average of its parts: (95 + 100 + 41 + 100) ÷ 4 = 84Pulse84
On the day, follow itin FlightPassportNew York London
Virgin Atlantic · Thursday, November 12, 2026
Leaves 8:00 AMLands 8:02 PM
Gates and baggage belts come from the airports and can change on the day.
Gate to gate
- Thu, November 12 New York time
- 8:00 AMplannedLeaves the gate, expectedon timeJFK · Terminal 4
- 8:10 AMplanned 8:15 AMTakes off, expected5 min earlyNew York JFK
- Thu, November 12 London time
- 8:02 PMplannedLands, expectedLondon Heathrow
- 8:10 PMplannedAt the gate, expectedLHR · Terminal 3
- AircraftAirbus A330-900neo
- Flight time6 h 47 min, planned
From the airports · gates and belts can change on the day
Before you fly
New YorkThursday morning
4:45 AM at the door · JFK, Terminal 4
How busy is security before your flight?
EstimateBe at the door by 4:45 AM. You reach security at 5:00 AM, at its quietest before your flight.
Moderately busyagainst the day’s busiest quarter
You reach it at 5:00 AM. Once through, about 2 h until boarding opens.
Where can you wait before your flight?
UsuallyReading the lounges at JFK.
Reading the lounges at JFK.Still counting: a new flight takes up to a minute the first time.
8:00 AM at the gate, on the schedule
Does your flight leave on time?
UsuallyMost often leaves the gate by 8:15 AM. Usually on time.
On timemost often, leaving the gate by 8:15 AM
One in ten of its last 76 departures left more than 15 minutes late.
Which plane is your flight on?
Reading which planes this flight has flown.
Reading which planes this flight has flown.Still counting: a new flight takes up to a minute the first time.
In the air
Flight time 7 h 10 min
Which way does it fly?
UsuallyOver the North Atlantic for about 3 h 35 min.
3 h 35 minover the North Atlantic
Last land is Newfoundland; Ireland comes up about 55 min before landing.
Will it be bumpy?
ForecastSmooth, light bumps now and then. No bumpy stretch on the way; small bumps at most.
Smoothwith light bumps now and then
No bumpy stretch on the way; small bumps at most.
- Typical altitude
- Small bumps
6:00 PM sunset, London time · Over the North Atlantic
What will you see from the window?
EstimateSunset on the right, about 2 h 5 min before landing.
Daylight, then the sunset 2 h 5 min before landing and night after it.
Left windowseats A–B
DanburyUnited States, below the plane
North Atlantic , open water below
Lower EarleyUnited Kingdom, below the plane, in the dark
JFK timeLHR time
8:25 AM1:25 PM
11:35 AM4:35 PM
1:00 PM6:00 PM
2:55 PM7:55 PM
LHR
Right windowseats J–K
SouthburyUnited States, below the plane
North Atlantic , open water below
Sunset, the sun on this side
WokinghamUnited Kingdom, below the plane, in the dark
New York time in bold, as your phone keeps it in the air; London time under it. Approximate: from the airline’s planned departure at 8:00 AM and a usual taxi to take-off; if it leaves late, these move with it.
After landing
LondonThursday evening
What’s the weather when you land?
ForecastAbout 34 °F, snow possible. Bring a warm coat.
34°FSnow possible at night
Bring a warm coat.
- Still dark when you landsun up 7:15 AM–4:15 PM
8:10 PM at the gate, London time · Heathrow, Terminal 3
How busy is passport control when you land?
EstimatePassport control around 8:25 PM, moderately busy for the day.
Moderately busyagainst the day’s busiest quarter
You reach it around 8:25 PM, 15 min after the gate.
How do you get to the city center?
EstimatePublic transport is about 10 min quicker.
60minby public transport
a car or taxi: about 70 min
Door to door from the airport, around your landing hour.
Before you book
New York to LondonThe same day
Alternative flights
Reading the day’s flights from New York to London.
Reading the day’s flights from New York to London.Still counting: a new flight takes up to a minute the first time.
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JFK・New York
LHR・London