Overview
Midland sits at the heart of the Permian Basin in West Texas, a city built on the energy industry but increasingly visited by UK travellers heading out for business, family visits, or to explore the wide-open landscapes of the American Southwest. It's not a conventional tourist hotspot, which is exactly its appeal for anyone wanting an authentic slice of Texan life away from the coastal crowds. Flying here from the UK takes a little planning, since there are no direct services, but with the right connection the journey is entirely straightforward.
Best time to fly to Midland
West Texas has a semi-arid climate, with long, very hot summers where temperatures regularly climb past 35°C, and mild, generally dry winters that can still bring the occasional cold snap. Spring (March to May) and autumn (October to November) offer the most comfortable conditions for sightseeing and outdoor activity, along with calmer weather than the sometimes blustery late-winter months. Check the When to book chart above to see how fares typically move across the year before settling on your travel dates.
Airlines and routes
There are no non-stop flights to Midland from the UK, so every journey involves at least one connection through a major US hub. The most reliable options are flying into Dallas/Fort Worth with British Airways or American Airlines and picking up an American Eagle connection onward to Midland, or flying into Houston with United Airlines and connecting via United Express. Southwest Airlines also links Midland into its network through Dallas Love Field and Houston Hobby. Expect a non-stop transatlantic leg of around nine to ten hours, plus a short domestic hop of roughly 80-90 minutes, so budget around 13-15 hours door to door including the connection.
Things to do in Midland
Midland rewards visitors who take the time to look beyond the oil rigs on the horizon, with a handful of genuinely worthwhile attractions clustered around the city.
- Permian Basin Petroleum Museum: a well-regarded museum tracing the region's oil and gas heritage, with hands-on exhibits and a striking collection of vintage drilling equipment.
- Sibley Nature Center: walking trails through native West Texas prairie and desert habitat, good for spotting local birdlife and learning about the region's ecology.
- Museum of the Southwest: an art and history museum with a children's museum and observatory on the same leafy campus.
- George W. Bush Childhood Home: the restored 1950s house where the former president grew up, now a small museum on Midland's mid-century history.
- Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center: the region's main venue for touring concerts, theatre and dance.
At Midland International Air and Space Port (MAF)
Midland's airport carries the unusual 'Air and Space Port' name thanks to a commercial spaceport licence granted in 2014, though its day-to-day role is as a busy regional gateway serving the Permian Basin's energy sector. The terminal sits around 10 miles (16km) south-west of downtown Midland, roughly a 15-20 minute drive. There's no rail or metro link, so most arriving travellers hire a car, take a taxi or use a rideshare app such as Uber; several hotels also run their own shuttle services.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Midland
- Book your transatlantic leg two to four months ahead where possible, as US long-haul fares tend to creep up closer to departure.
- Flying midweek, particularly Tuesday or Wednesday, is usually cheaper than weekend departures on the domestic connection.
- Use the price charts on this page to compare months side by side and spot the cheapest windows to travel.
- Compare routing via Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston and Dallas Love Field, since the cheapest connecting airport can vary week to week.
Travel essentials
British passport holders travelling to Midland for tourism or short business trips can usually enter the US under the Visa Waiver Programme with a valid ESTA, applied for online in advance, rather than a full visa. Your passport should be valid for the length of your stay and be machine-readable with a digital chip. The currency is the US dollar, so it's worth ordering some cash or a travel card before you go, though cards are widely accepted. Because you'll clear US immigration and customs at your first port of entry (typically Dallas/Fort Worth or Houston), allow at least 90 minutes for that connection before your onward flight to Midland.
