OBK-FL200 at over 150nm from touchdown is common in the states
Common? Where? Random? Sure.
West arrivals into JFK arrive at FL190 35nm NW of the airport. Three major airports in one of the busiest air corridors of the world (BOS-DCA) makes it a mess.
And the LAX basin used to have more than half of the busiest 10 airports in the U.S. Again, the volume of traffic forces flow problems.
Same with S. Florida. The list goes on and on. They don't put airplanes at FL200 150 nm from the airport for fun.
And managing LHR? Compared to many U.S. airports it appears to be much easier. That's a pilot's perspective from years of listening, and flying, in the airspace.