Flying from New York to Shanghai: what you need to know
When searching for your flight from New York to Shanghai, there's a nice range of airports to depart from. John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA) are some of New York's main options.
Touch down in Shanghai at Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) or Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA).
Around 15 hours is how long you'll be in transit on a direct New York to Shanghai flight.
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 traveled route between these two cities. There are two weekly departures to pick from. If you have things to finalize before heading off, the last flight from New York to Shanghai is with China Eastern Airlines at 16:25. Go for the first JFK to PVG departure operated by China Eastern Airlines at 15:25 to make the most of your arrival in Shanghai.
Allow plenty of time to get on your New York to Shanghai flight. A good rule of thumb is to arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Be prepared for longer queues during popular months like July. Arriving up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours for a domestic departure will help ensure a smooth travel experience.
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)
You can catch a direct flight from New York to Shanghai leaving from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Start your trip at JFK and end it at Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG).
Look out for promotions with China Eastern Airlines. This carrier offers direct New York to Shanghai plane tickets out of JFK.
Think about adding a stopover to potentially save money on your New York to Shanghai flight. Simply uncheck 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from John F. Kennedy International Airport. Take a break (and maybe save some cash) by stopping at one of these popular airports:
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Haneda Airport (HND)
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
The journey from central New York to JFK takes about 1 hour 20 minutes by public transport. If you drive, ride-share or take a cab, you'll cover the 19 kilometres in 50 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
In search of a handy hotel near John F. Kennedy International Airport? If you're catching an early flight from New York to Shanghai, these accommodation options will have you sleeping moments from your departure gate:
Of all flights leaving John F. Kennedy International Airport, 74.1% arrive on time at their destination.
You'll find JFK at JFK Airport.
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
You can take a direct flight from New York to Shanghai departing from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). Begin your travels at EWR and come in for landing at Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG).
United Airlines offers direct New York to Shanghai plane tickets from EWR. Book your favourite window seat and reach your destination in one go.
Split up your New York to Shanghai flight with a stop so you can stretch your legs or cross a new place off your list. Top stopovers between Newark Liberty International Airport and Shanghai include:
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
You can reach EWR from central New York in about 30 minutes by car (depending on traffic conditions). The journey by public transport will take roughly 1 hour 10 minutes to travel the 14 kilometres or so.
Want to enjoy an extra night away before your flight from New York to Shanghai? Relax in a hotel near Newark Liberty International Airport before your adventure officially starts. Check out these accommodation options:
When it comes to flight punctuality, Newark Liberty International Airport has an on-time arrival rate of 73%.
You'll find EWR at Building 1, Conrad Road.
LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
Choosing a ticket from New York to Shanghai with one or more stops can offer you a bigger choice of departure times and access to better fares. When flying from LaGuardia Airport (LGA), here are a few places you can detour to on the way to Shanghai:
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
LGA is around 13 kilometres from central New York. Driving from the city centre to the airport takes about 25 minutes. If you're planning to take public transport, expect a journey of around 1 hour.
Relax in bed for a little longer and still make your New York to Shanghai flight without having to rush. These accommodation options near LaGuardia Airport make departure day effortless if you're jetting off early:
LGA has an on-time performance rate of 80.0%. This means the majority of its flights land as expected and your trip goes off without a hitch.
The street address of LaGuardia Airport is Hangar 7 Centre.
Arriving in Shanghai
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) to central Shanghai takes about 50 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 32 kilometres away.
Getting there by public transport typically takes 40 minutes.
Consider staying in a hotel close to PVG if you have a late flight from New York to Shanghai. Check in to one of these options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Start your adventure the moment you land with a Shanghai Pudong International Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Hertz to explore Shanghai and beyond.
Boost your chances of securing the best rate by booking as early as you can. Reserving your ride from Shanghai Pudong International Airport at least a few weeks in advance is a good idea.
The street address for PVG is No.300 Qihang Road.
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)
After your flight from New York to Shanghai has arrived, you can reach the city centre in around 20 minutes by car. Central Shanghai is roughly 13 kilometres from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA).
You'll find some great places to lay your head close to SHA. Tuck yourself in after your New York to Shanghai flight at any of these well-located options:
Why run on someone else's schedule? Pick up a Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport rental car and steer your own course. Reserve a set of wheels here with Hertz.
Avoid filling out paperwork at the rental desk by having everything prearranged. Reserve your ride from SHA in advance so you can simply grab the keys and go.
You'll find Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport at 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 (73ºF) to 34ºC (93ºF).
If you like travelling in cooler conditions, search for a cheap flight from New York to Shanghai in January when temperatures average between -1ºC (30ºF) and 10ºC (50ºF).
More about Shanghai
After booking your flight from New York to Shanghai, choose a hotel that puts you where you want to be. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Shanghai:
The Bund Sightseeing Avenue and Yu Garden are just the start of the major attractions to add to your Shanghai must-do list. Keep the adventure rolling by checking out Shanghai Tower.
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.