Top Airlines Offering Cheap Flights to Shanghai, China

Shanghai is a popular city with over 23 million residents, attracting numerous visitors annually. Here are the most popular airlines offering affordable flight options to Shanghai:

Find Major Airports in Shanghai

Shanghai boasts two major international hubs, facilitating regular and direct flights connecting the city to leading European and American destinations:

Shanghai Pudong International Airport is one of the two international airports in Shanghai, playing a pivotal role in China’s aviation network. While Pudong Airport predominantly handles international flights, its counterpart, Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, is primarily dedicated to domestic and regional routes within East Asia. Situated in the eastern outskirts of Shanghai, it lies approximately 30 kilometers from the city center and 40 kilometers from Hongqiao Airport. PVG serves as the main hub for major national carriers, including China Eastern Airlines and Shanghai Airlines.

Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport is in the western part of Shanghai and is the closest airport to the city center. Primarily serving domestic flights, it offers a limited number of international routes. Notably, the airport also ranks among the world’s busiest cargo hubs, attracting foreign and Chinese cargo carriers to establish their bases here. They strategically built this airport in 1999 to alleviate congestion at Shanghai Hongqiao.

Flights to Shanghai Snapshot

Economy Class

OneAir - Travel the world for less
TOTAL NUMBER OF ECONOMY CLASS DEALS TO Shanghai IN THE LAST MONTH​

13

Seat - Cheap Flights - OneAir
AVERAGE ONEAIR INTERNATIONAL ECONOMY ROUNDTRIP DEAL​ TO Shanghai

$898

Business Class

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TOTAL NUMBER OF BUSINESS CLASS DEALS TO Shanghai IN THE LAST MONTH​

12

Business Class - Cheap Flights - OneAir
AVERAGE ONEAIR INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS CLASS ROUNDTRIP DEAL​ TO Shanghai

$3100

The Best Time to Visit Shanghai

The cheapest months to fly to Shanghai are August and September, with airfare to Shanghai often as low as $627 when flying on Mondays and Wednesdays. Other budget-friendly months are October and November, which occasionally feature economical airfare options ranging from $536 to $542.

Conversely, June to August is typically the most expensive month, with ticket prices ranging from $871 to $1131. This is primarily due to the peak summer travel season, which coincides with school holidays in many countries.

Shanghai is a fantastic option for students on a budget. Not only is it rich in culture and history, but there’s also an abundance of affordable activities and delicious food to enjoy without overspending.

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Cheapest months to fly

August to November

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Most Expensive Months to Fly

June to August

Compare Prices

Here is a comparison of prices of plane tickets to Shanghai, China when flying from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG).

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Frequently Asked Questions

The best time to visit Shanghai primarily hinges on your personal preferences. If you prefer moderate temperatures and fewer crowds, the spring months of March to May offer delightful weather with the city in full bloom, ideal for outdoor activities and appreciating the natural beauty.


Alternatively, for those seeking to experience Shanghai’s bustling festivals and vibrant events scene, autumn, specifically from October to November, provides a blend of cultural festivities against the backdrop of crisp autumnal hues. 

Nonetheless, every season in Shanghai paints unique experiences waiting to be explored with OneAir.

Several airlines offer direct flights from the U.S. to Shanghai, including China Eastern Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Airlines, and American Airlines. However, the availability of direct flights may vary depending on the city of departure.

The flight duration to Shanghai varies based on the departure city and airline. Here are the approximate flight times from five major U.S. airport hubs:

 

  • New York (JFK) to Shanghai (PVG): 15 hours
  • Los Angeles (LAX) to Shanghai (PVG): 13 hours and 45 minutes
  • Chicago (ORD) to Shanghai (PVG): 17 hours and 40 minutes
  • San Francisco (SFO) to Shanghai (PVG): 13 hours and 50 minutes
  • Dallas (DFW) to Shanghai (PVG): 15 hours and 55 minutes  

While most flights to Shanghai are on major carriers, some budget airlines like Spring Airlines operate routes to Shanghai from other Asian cities.

U.S. passport holders need a visa to enter China, including Shanghai, for tourism or business purposes. You can apply for a visa at a Chinese embassy or consulate in the U.S.

Shanghai is 12 hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET), 13 hours ahead of Central Time (CT), 14 hours ahead of Mountain Time (MT), and 15 hours ahead of Pacific Time (PT). 

Many flights from the US to Shanghai have stopover options in cities like Tokyo (NRT), Seoul (ICN), Hong Kong (HKG), or Beijing (PEK), depending on the airline and route. 

The best airports in the U.S. for flights to Shanghai are typically those with direct flight options, such as New York (JFK), Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), Chicago (ORD), and Seattle (SEA). 

Peak travel seasons for Shanghai include Chinese National Day (early October), Lunar New Year (late January to early February), and the Summer holiday season (July and August). During these times, flight prices may be higher, and availability may be limited, so it’s best to book well in advance.

Getting from Shanghai Pudong International Airport to the city center is easy. Several options are available, including the Maglev train, Metro Line 2, the airport bus, and taxis.

The Shanghai Maglev Train is the fastest option, reaching speeds of up to 267 mph (430 km/h) and arriving in just 8 minutes.

Discover Shanghai

Looking for cheap flights to Shanghai? OneAir makes it easy to discover incredible flight deals to destinations around the world. Follow these simple steps to start saving on your next trip.

 

  • Set your departure airports on OneAir. Choose your preferred departure airports, and we’ll search for the cheapest flights from those cities to Shanghai. OneAir offers deals from over 50 major US airports, so you can find the most convenient and affordable options. 
  • Be flexible with your travel dates. If your schedule allows, use our “Explore” or “Add Destinations” feature to find the most affordable days to fly to Shanghai. Shifting your dates by just a day or two can often result in significant savings.
  • Turn on your notifications. We’ll notify you via email or push notification whenever the price for your selected route is at its lowest. This way, you’ll never miss a deal.
  • Compare flight options from multiple providers. Choose the cheapest, fastest, or most convenient flights to Shanghai based on your priorities.
  • Filter for direct flights. If you prefer nonstop service to Shanghai, simply tick the “Nonstop” box when searching. We’ll show you all available nonstop routes, so you can avoid lengthy layovers.
  • Get the best unpublished deals. Dreaming of a luxurious journey to Shanghai? We also find the best deals on Premium Economy, Business, and First Class fares. Compare prices across all cabin classes – you might be surprised by an affordable premium seat.
  • Expand your search to nearby airports. Unlock even more deals by searching for flights to Shanghai from nearby airports. This will show you flight prices from alternative departure airports close to your origin city.

Book a complete travel package. Once you’ve found your perfect flight to Shanghai, why not add a hotel room or rental car? OneAir also offers exclusive hotel, car, and activity deals, so you can save even more on your entire trip.

 

Discover New Destinations with the “Explore” Tab. Not set on Shanghai? Use our “Explore” search to find the cheapest flights from your city to anywhere in the world. You might just discover your next dream vacation spot!