Mumbai to London is one of India's busiest long-haul routes, and one of the few where you actually get a choice of nonstop flights. The calculator above is already set to it; here is everything else worth knowing, from the time in the air to what waits for you at Heathrow.
How long is the Mumbai to London flight?
The great-circle distance is about 7,213 km, and a nonstop takes roughly nine and a half to ten hours. Our estimate comes out around 9h 30m, while airlines usually schedule closer to 9h 55m westbound. The return to Mumbai is often a touch quicker, because you fly east with the wind rather than against it, which is the jet stream effect at work.
Which airlines fly nonstop?
Three airlines fly Mumbai to London Heathrow without a stop: Air India, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic. Of the three, Air India is often the most competitively priced. If you are willing to add a few hours for a lower fare, there are also plenty of one-stop options through the Gulf with Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways, which can work out cheaper, especially outside the peak season.
When to fly, and when to book
Fares peak in the British summer and over Christmas, and ease in the quieter shoulder weeks. For this route, two to four months ahead is the usual sweet spot, longer if you are travelling at a peak. Our guide on the best time to book international flights goes into the patterns in more detail.
Landing at Heathrow
Heathrow is large and split across terminals, so check yours before you fly: Air India and Virgin Atlantic generally use Terminal 3, and British Airways Terminal 5. Immigration queues can be long at peak times, so leave plenty of room if you have an onward connection. Once you are through, the Elizabeth line and the Heathrow Express both run into central London, with the Elizabeth line being the cheaper of the two.
Before you fly
Indian passport holders need a UK visa for this trip, so sort that well in advance. It is also worth lining up an eSIM you can switch on as you land, so you are not hunting for a SIM at the airport, and checking your airline's baggage allowance, since it varies by fare. If this is your first long-haul, the first-time flyer guide covers the airport side end to end.
Is the nonstop worth it over a Gulf connection?
It depends on what you value. A nonstop saves you three to five hours and the hassle of changing planes, which matters a lot on a daytime work trip or when you are travelling with children. A one-stop through Dubai, Doha or Abu Dhabi is often cheaper, and can come with a nicer seat or better service for the money, at the cost of those extra hours and a second take-off and landing. The simple rule: if the saving is small, take the nonstop; if it is large and you have time to spare, a single-ticket connection through the Gulf is a sensible trade. Our guide on direct versus connecting flights walks through how to weigh it.
Check your dates
The calculator above is set to Mumbai and London, but you can swap in any pair, Delhi to London, Mumbai to Manchester, or your own route, to see the distance, the estimated time and your local arrival.