London's skies have proven to be some of the world's most congested, with a key transatlantic corridor securing a spot among the globe's most-travelled flight paths for 2025.
Heathrow to JFK: A Transatlantic Powerhouse
According to the latest figures from aviation analytics firm OAG, the route from London Heathrow (LHR) to New York's John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) was the world's tenth busiest international service this year. The data shows an impressive 3,971,000 passengers travelled between the two iconic cities over the course of 2025.
This marks a continuation of the route's strong performance, having also held the tenth position globally in 2024. Notably, its popularity has grown by 4 percent compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
Premium Price for a Premier Route
The analysis highlights that the LHR-JFK service commanded the highest average one-way economy fare within the global top ten, at $585 (approximately £432.74). This fare represents a two percent increase year-on-year, with the route being served by five competing carriers.
This vital link between the UK and US capitals stood out as the only flight path in the top ten not located in the Middle East or Asia, underscoring its unique status as a premier long-haul connection between Western hubs.
The Global Leaders in Air Travel
OAG's annual review placed the Hong Kong to Taipei route as the world's busiest cross-border journey for 2025. The remaining positions in the top five were filled by:
- Second: Cairo to Jeddah
- Third: Kuala Lumpur to Singapore Changi
- Fourth: Seoul Incheon to Tokyo Narita
The news of this bustling route comes as London's airports, including Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, and Luton, plan significant expansions to handle ever-growing passenger numbers. Heathrow was recently named the world's most-connected airport, solidifying London's position at the heart of global aviation.
