Flights to Edinburgh from the US: Nonstop Routes, Flight Times and When to Go

Quick answer: Edinburgh (EDI) has nonstops from Newark on United and New York JFK on Delta all year, plus summer flights from Boston, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Chicago and Washington Dulles. A nonstop from the East Coast takes about 6.5 to 7 hours. US citizens need a UK ETA before flying.

Edinburgh flights at a glance

Nonstop flights to Edinburgh from US cities

Airlines are as of recent schedules (November 2026) and change by season, so check with the airline for your dates. In winter 2026-27 the nonstops are United from Newark, Delta from New York JFK (fewer flights a week in November to February) and American from Philadelphia until 5 January 2027; United's Washington Dulles flights pause until early March 2027. Times are eastbound; flights back to the US take about 1 to 1.5 hours longer. From other US cities, most trips connect once through one of these gateways, London, Dublin, Amsterdam or Reykjavik.

Airlines flying to Edinburgh from the US

United has flown Newark to Edinburgh for many years and runs it year-round. Delta flies from New York JFK all year, with fewer flights a week in midwinter, and adds summer flights from Boston and Atlanta, as of recent schedules (November 2026).

American flies from Philadelphia, a route extended into the winter until early January 2027, and added a summer New York JFK flight in 2026 on its long-range A321XLR. United adds Chicago O'Hare and Washington Dulles in season, and JetBlue flies summer routes from New York JFK and Boston.

From a city without a nonstop, a one-stop trip through one of these East Coast gateways is usually the shortest option. Keep the journey on one ticket so your bags go through and the airline must rebook you after a delay.

Best time to visit Edinburgh

May to September brings the longest days, with daylight until after 10 p.m. in June, and it is when most US nonstops run. Scottish weather changes fast, so pack a rain layer in any month.

August is the month of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the International Festival, when the city is at its busiest and hotel rooms go early. November to March is darker and quieter; Christmas markets and Hogmanay on New Year's Eve are the big winter draws.

Edinburgh Airport

Edinburgh Airport has a single terminal, so arrivals are simple. After landing from the US you go through UK Border Force passport control, where US citizens with an approved ETA can usually use the eGates, then collect bags.

The airport sits about 8 miles west of the city, close to the Queensferry Crossing and the Forth bridges, which makes it easy to start a road trip north to the Highlands without driving through the center.

Entry rules: the UK ETA

Scotland is part of the United Kingdom, which is not in the EU or the Schengen Area, so the EU's EES and ETIAS do not apply. US citizens can visit for up to six months without a visa.

Since 8 January 2025, US citizens need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before traveling to the UK. If you are only connecting through a UK airport, check GOV.UK, because the rules for airside transit differ by airport. You apply on the UK ETA app or GOV.UK, a decision usually takes up to three working days, and there is a fee: check the current amount on GOV.UK. An approved ETA is linked to your passport and covers multiple trips for two years or until the passport expires.

Getting from the airport into Edinburgh

Edinburgh Trams leave from outside the terminal and reach Princes Street and St Andrew Square in about 30 to 35 minutes, running on to Leith and Newhaven. The Airlink 100 bus runs to Waverley Bridge, next to Waverley station, in about 30 minutes.

Taxis wait outside arrivals and take about 20 to 30 minutes to the center, longer at rush hour. If you are heading straight to Glasgow or the Highlands, rental cars are in a short walk from the terminal.

Time difference and jet lag

Edinburgh is 5 hours ahead of US Eastern time, 6 ahead of Central and 8 ahead of Pacific for most of the year. For a few weeks in March and around the end of October the gap is one hour shorter, because the US and the UK change their clocks on different dates.

At under 7 hours, the East Coast flights are short for an overnight trip and land early in the morning, so sleep as soon as you can after takeoff.

Frequently asked questions

Travel guide

May to September has the longest days and the most nonstops from the US. August is festival month and the busiest of the year; November to March is quieter, darker and wetter, with Christmas markets and Hogmanay on New Year's Eve.

Lounge access

• Aspire Lounge
• Plaza Premium Lounge

Airport transfers

Edinburgh Trams run from the airport to the city center (Princes Street and St Andrew Square) in about 30 to 35 minutes. The Airlink 100 bus runs to Waverley Bridge beside the main rail station in about 30 minutes, and taxis take about 20 to 30 minutes.

Flight route guides to Edinburgh

Each guide covers the airlines on that route, typical connections, the best months to fly and baggage rules, with live fares fetched when the page loads.

• Atlanta to Edinburgh flights
• Baltimore to Edinburgh flights
• Cleveland to Edinburgh flights
• Dallas to Edinburgh flights
• New York to Edinburgh flights
• San Diego to Edinburgh flights
• St. Louis to Edinburgh flights

All route guides to Edinburgh