Flying from New York to Shanghai: what you need to know
You can choose from a range of airports when organising your flight from New York to Shanghai. Explore your options for jetting out of New York from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA).
When it comes to choosing where to land in Shanghai, Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) are the chief entry points.
The average length of a direct New York to Shanghai flight is 15 hours.
The timezone in Shanghai is UTC+8, which is 12 hours ahead of New York.
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) is the most popular route that connects these two cities. There are two flights a week to pick from. If you prefer a later start to the day, the last flight from New York to Shanghai is with China Eastern Airlines at 16:25. Opt for the first JFK to PVG departure operated by China Eastern Airlines at 15:25 to make the most of your first day in Shanghai.
Leave plenty of time to make your New York to Shanghai flight. As a general rule, turn up at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
If you're getting away during a popular month like July, be at the airport even earlier. It's smart to arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours ahead of a domestic departure. You can expect lines to be longer during high seasons like Christmas and New Year.
How to find the cheapest flights from New York to Shanghai
Lock in cheap New York to Shanghai flights by booking two months ahead. According to our research, that's the ideal time for picking up a bargain.
May is the best month for nabbing an amazing deal on a plane ticket from New York to Shanghai. If you need to travel at a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will show you the lowest prices across every month.
Save time searching for cheap flights from New York to Shanghai by creating a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or notification on the app when a lower fare pops up.
Tailor your flights using filters. Select your arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' New York to Shanghai flights.
Flying from New York
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
If you're searching for a direct flight from New York to Shanghai, you can depart from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Get from JFK to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) without any stops.
China Eastern Airlines is a well-known airline that offers direct New York to Shanghai plane tickets from JFK.
A stopover is the perfect opportunity to break up your trip — and maybe even tour another city. When searching for New York to Shanghai flights departing from John F. Kennedy International Airport, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Some popular options include:
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
Incheon International Airport (ICN)
JFK is around 19 kilometres from central New York. If you're ride-sharing, catching a cab or driving from the centre, it'll take you 50 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions. If you're using public transport, expect the travel time to be around 1 hour 20 minutes.
After an easy start to your holiday? Stay near John F. Kennedy International Airport. Whether you're catching an early flight from New York to Shanghai or just don't like being rushed, these hotels are ideal:
Of all flights departing from John F. Kennedy International Airport, 74.1% arrive as scheduled at their destination.
You'll find JFK at JFK Airport.
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
You can catch a nonstop flight from New York to Shanghai out of Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). Start your trip at EWR and hop off the plane at Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG).
Book your direct New York to Shanghai plane ticket with United Airlines. This is one of the top airlines operating this route out of EWR.
Make the most of your holiday with a stopover on your New York to Shanghai flight. Visit friends or family or tick another city off your list. Whatever you'd like to do, check out these stops between Newark Liberty International Airport and Shanghai:
Narita International Airport (NRT)
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
Using public transport, you can travel from central New York to EWR in around 1 hour 10 minutes. The terminal is roughly 14 kilometres away. Driving will take you about 30 minutes.
You're going on holiday, so why not extend it with an extra night away from home? Consider checking in to one of these accommodation options near Newark Liberty International Airport the day before your flight from New York to Shanghai:
Newark Liberty International Airport has an on-time performance of 73.3%. This figure sheds light on how frequently flights that leave from this airport reach their destination on time.
The street address for EWR is Building 1, Conrad Road.
LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
Searching for a ticket from New York to Shanghai with a stop or two can give you more choice of departure times on top of cheaper fares. When leaving from LaGuardia Airport (LGA), here are a few places you can detour to on your way to Shanghai:
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
From the centre of New York, LGA is around 13 kilometres away. It takes roughly 25 minutes to arrive by car and 1 hour or so on public transport.
Make catching an early New York to Shanghai flight the easiest part of your trip. Stay at one of these accommodation options near LaGuardia Airport and get to your check-in counter feeling relaxed and unhurried:
LGA has a solid on-time arrivals performance of 80.0%, so you can count on your flight to stay on track and get to your destination as expected.
LaGuardia Airport is located at Hangar 7 Centre.
Arriving in Shanghai
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) is approximately 32 kilometres from the centre of Shanghai. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive will take around 50 minutes.
Consider staying in a hotel near PVG if you're coming in on a late flight from New York to Shanghai. Check in to one of these accommodation options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Pick up a Shanghai Pudong International Airport rental car and discover parts of Shanghai that are off the usual tourist route. Book your wheels with Hertz.
Reserve your ride from Shanghai Pudong International Airport a few weeks before your trip to get the best possible rate. If you're planning to travel during a peak period, it's a good idea to book your New York to Shanghai flight even earlier.
PVG is located at No.300 Qihang Road.
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)
Central Shanghai is located around 13 kilometres from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA). As soon as your flight from New York to Shanghai has hit the runway and you've navigated your way to arrivals, the drive should be around 20 minutes.
Hang the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and relax at a hotel close to SHA. Here are a few options where you can take a load off after your flight from New York to Shanghai:
Crank up the music and hit the road in a Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Hertz and get your trip rolling right away.
Lock in the vehicle you want, not just whatever's left, by booking your ride from SHA in advance. You can also avoid paying more than you have to, especially during busy airport times.
The address for Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport is 700 Yingbin 1st Rd.
Best time to go to Shanghai
It's time to pick your dates for your flight from New York to Shanghai. April is the busiest month to travel to Shanghai. If you want a quieter atmosphere, go in April.
Before locking in your New York to Shanghai tickets, think about the kind of weather forecast you're hoping for. August is the warmest month in Shanghai, with temperatures ranging from 23ºC to 34ºC.
If you like travelling in cooler conditions, search for a cheap flight from New York to Shanghai in January when temperatures average between -1ºC and 10ºC.
More about Shanghai
When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the best places to stay in Shanghai right here. Check out these options after you've booked your flight from New York to Shanghai:
All great adventures should include a little sightseeing. The Bund Sightseeing Avenue, Yu Garden and Shanghai Tower are must-visits when exploring Shanghai.
Explore more of China
Nanjing is just one of the many cities in China waiting to be explored once you've seen Shanghai. Around 274 kilometres to the west, its top attractions include Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Nanjing City Wall and Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall.
If you're interested in discovering another corner of China, consider Suzhou, roughly 80 kilometres west of Shanghai. Lotus Peak, Tianpingshan and Shangfang Tower are key highlights.
