Flights to San Diego
Last updated: 1 July 2026
British Airways operates direct flights from London Heathrow (LHR) to San Diego International Airport (SAN). Flights are available year-round, with daily departures.
British Airways offers the only direct service to San Diego from the UK. And with 14 flights every week, you can always find the perfect time to set off for the Californian coast. Discover vibrant neighbourhoods, dazzling beaches and the hiking trails of Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, with sweeping Pacific Ocean views.
Plan your trip to San Diego
Why visit San Diego?
Just a short drive south of Los Angeles and less than 20 miles north of Mexico, San Diego is made for outdoor adventurers and beach lovers.
Explore dramatic canyons, alpine peaks and sweeping coastal cliffs, plus more than 70 miles of Pacific coastline. Join the surfers and kayakers at La Jolla Cove, out in the water almost every day of the year. Longer visits offer the perfect opportunity for a road trip along the majestic Pacific Coast Highway.
Families can discover Balboa Park’s museums, galleries and world-renowned San Diego Zoo, home to 12,000 animals. Food lovers should head to the city’s historic Gaslamp Quarter, a drinking and dining hotspot offering everything from fast food joints to fine dining.
Cheap flights to San Diego
Discover our best value fares to San Diego. Prices vary throughout the year, but early booking can help you secure the cheapest flights.
Economy
Premium Economy
Business
First
All prices shown include any applicable local taxes, fees or charges payable at your accommodation.
Flight time and destination details
- Flight time from London to San Diego: Around 11 hours
- Distance from London: 5,485 miles
- Flights per week: Daily departures (14 per week)
- Airports: San Diego International Airport (SAN)
- Time difference: GMT -8
- Cabins available: Economy, premium economy, business, First
- Language spoken: English
- Currency: US dollar
Best time to visit San Diego
San Diego’s warm, sunny climate and minimal rainfall make it an ideal destination for outdoor activities and year-round visits to the city’s 30-plus beaches.
- Peak season (May to August): Perfect for surfing, summer festivals and open-air concerts at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park.
- Shoulder seasons (March to April and September to October): Best for hiking and outdoor attractions with cooler weather and clear skies.
- Low season (November to February): Whale watching season, with warm weather, fewer crowds and great deals on accommodation.
Peak season pricing
July
August
May
June
Shoulder season pricing
September
October
March
April
Low season pricing
November
December
January
February
Why fly with British Airways?
Outstanding service from the moment you book
We’re the only European airline to offer first class flights between the UK and US, and the only UK airline to offer business class cabins on every flight. Travel in business and check in two bags weighing up to 32kg each, giving you all the space you need to pack for every occasion in San Diego, from Mission beach to an evening at the drive-in cinema.
And with 82% of British Airways flights departing on time in 2025, we’re helping more customers get their trips off to the best possible start.
Book with British Airways Holidays and your trip will be ATOL protected too, giving you total peace of mind.
San Diego Flight FAQs
Flights from London to San Diego take approximately 11 hours.
November is the best time to find good deals on flights and accommodation in San Diego. The weather stays warm, rainfall is very low and there are fewer crowds than in the summer months. The Thanksgiving holiday that takes place at the end of the month sees visitor numbers increase, but it’s worth visiting for November’s week-long San Diego Food and Wine Festival. Use our low fare finder to find the cheapest time to visit.
San Diego is a city that caters to all budgets. Rady Shell doubles as a public park when events aren’t on, making it the ideal spot for a wallet-friendly picnic. South Bay’s drive-in cinema is a perfect activity for those on a budget, as well as the free cycle routes and hiking trails that run across the city’s bays, parks and surrounding area.
San Diego Airport is just 6km from the city centre, with taxi journeys taking around 20 minutes. Buses offer a cheap way to explore the city and the wider area.
The Trolley tram service also operates across the city, while COASTER trains offer access to many of San Diego’s beach towns. The Pacific Surfliner train runs along the coast to destinations such as Los Angeles and Santa Barbara.
You can also hire a car with British Airways if you want to get out and see more of what San Diego and the USA has to offer. You’ll receive great benefits, with all mandatory charges included and 24-hour customer support, plus you’ll collect Avios points on every rental.
You can book a hand baggage-only ticket or make the most of our generous baggage allowance. If you choose economy standard or one of our British Airways Holidays’ packages, each passenger can check in a bag weighing up to 23kg, in addition to a hand bag, laptop case or other small bag. Families travelling in any cabin with younger children can also check in one car seat and one fully collapsible pushchair. Read more about baggage allowances for children.
If you’re flying in our business cabin, you can check in two bags weighing up to 32kg each. Read our baggage guide for full details.
Citizens of the UK and Ireland and EU passport holders do not need a visa to visit the USA. However, you will need an ESTA, which permits travel to the US for 90 days or less. If you hold a passport from a country or territory outside of the listed areas, you may need to apply for a visa before you travel. You can find out more about visa requirements for all the countries we fly to at the IATA Travel Centre.
What to do in San Diego
Enjoy world-class culture
Larger than New York’s Central Park and Chicago’s Millennium Park combined, Balboa Park is San Diego’s cultural heart. Spread over 1,200-acres, the site has 18 museums and galleries and plays host to a year-round programme of festivals, concerts and film screenings.
Head to the harbour
The Embarcadero is San Diego’s lively waterfront district, home to over 30 restaurants, shops, and the historic USS Midway Museum. Visitors can enjoy paddleboarding, harbour cruises and whale-watching tours in San Diego Bay.
Surf the California coast
San Diego has over 70 miles of coastline that features some of the world’s best surfing sites. Mission Beach is famous for its classic boardwalk and amusement park, while Coronado Beach is a popular spot for families.
Hang out in San Diego’s neighbourhoods
Head downtown for live entertainment in the historic Gaslamp Quarter. Or visit Old Town, the oldest neighbourhood in San Diego and the birthplace of California, to explore its museums, parks and heritage sites. For coastal views, head to La Jolla, known for its upmarket boutiques and stunning seaside setting.
San Diego is known for its year-round sunshine, with average temperature of 25 degrees in summer and 15 degrees in winter. Low humidity and minimal rainfall make it ideal for outdoor activities at any time of the year.
November to February
Mid-December marks the start of whale watching season, as thousands of grey whales migrate along the California coast from Alaska to Mexico. Peak sightings are usually in January and February.
March to May and September to October
Cooler weather makes spring and autumn great times to visit San Diego. In October, children under 12 enjoy free admission to more than 60 attractions and museums across the city.
June to August
The hottest months in San Diego, when many of the city’s biggest festivals and events take place. The San Diego County Fair, California’s largest county fair, runs through June and July, while the legendary Comic-Con attracts thousands of visitors each summer.
Our cabins
Choose your perfect way to fly and enjoy the same uniquely British experience in every cabin.
Economy
- Flexible baggage allowance
- Personal flat screen
- High-speed Wi-Fi on most aircraft
- Access to in-seat power
Premium Economy
- Up to 2 checked bags, 23kg (50lb) each
- Priority boarding
- Wider seats and more legroom
- Sparkling wine to start your journey
- Sustainable amenity kit
Business
- 2 checked bags, 32kg (70lb) each
- Dedicated check-in
- Priority boarding
- Access Club lounges worldwide
- Fully flat bed
- Luxury bedding and amenity kit
First
- 3 checked bags, 32kg (70lb)
- Private check-in at the First Wing
- Fast Track security at London Heathrow, London Gatwick and New York JFK
- Priority boarding
- Access First lounges worldwide
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Terms and Conditions
- Flight only prices are updated every 24 hours and are accurate when published. Flights at these prices are limited and may sell out quickly.
- Package holiday prices (flight + hotel or flight + car) prices are updated every 24 to 48 hours and are accurate when published and may vary upon reaching subsequent pages. Availability may be extremely limited particularly during peak periods.
- Return fares displayed are the lowest adult return prices in the cabin specified including taxes, fees and carrier charges, based on a 7-day return journey.
- Each–way fares displayed are the lowest adult each-way prices in the cabin specified based on the lowest adult return prices for a 7 day travel period, including all taxes, fees and carrier charges available in this period.
- One-way fares displayed are the lowest adult prices in the cabin specified including taxes, fees and carrier charges available in this period.
- Package holiday prices (flight + hotel and flight + car) shown are in GBP per person based on 2 adults sharing one room or one car and prices include taxes, fees and carrier charges unless otherwise specified. Flight + car prices based on drivers aged 30-70 years.
- Additional charges will be applied for payments made using a corporate credit card.
- Advertised fares are available on ba.com. Additional charges may apply if purchased through British Airways outlets or travel agents.
- Combine and save on Holidays: Guaranteed savings are only available when booking a Flight + Hotel or Flight + Car booking including one land product, it does not apply to a ‘Customise your trip’ holiday including more than one hotel and / or car.
- Package holidays are protected under British Airways Holidays Ltd by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is 5985.
- Standard British Airways terms and conditions apply.