Shanghai (Pudong) to San Francisco (PVG–SFO) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
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No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
PVG–SFO is served by 2 airlines with nonstop service. United Airlines and China Eastern Airlines lead the route. The flight covers 6,138 miles in approximately 10h 55m. Beyond nonstop, 40 hubs offer 1-stop connections.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UA United Airlines | 7 | 77W | 11h10 | – | Star Alliance | – |
| MU China Eastern Airlines | 3 | 77W | 10h55 | – | SkyTeam | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
On-Time Performance
Travel Essentials
PVG: CST · SFO: PDT
When it's 6:00 PM in Shanghai (Pudong), it's 3:00 AM in San Francisco.
Chinese passport holders require a B1/B2 visa for tourism or business travel to the United States. The visa is typically issued for 10 years with multiple entries, allowing stays of up to 180 days per visit. An in-person interview at a US embassy or consulate is required, and the application fee is US $185. Holders of 10-year B visas must also enroll in EVUS (Electronic Visa Update System) every two years before travel.
The Maglev from Longyang Road Metro station covers the 30 km to Pudong in 8 minutes (¥50 one-way, ¥40 off-peak). The Maglev does not reach the city center directly; transfer to Metro Line 2 at Longyang Road. Metro Line 2 runs the full route from city center to PVG but takes 60–70 minutes and requires a terminal transfer at the airport.Taxis from People's Square cost ¥130–180 and take 45–75 minutes depending on traffic. The elevated highway is faster than surface roads. Ride-hail via DiDi is comparable in price.
BART from SFO station (free AirTrain from any terminal to the station) to downtown San Francisco takes 30–40 minutes ($10.45 to Embarcadero). Traffic on 101 can make taxis and ride-hails much slower during peak hours; BART skips all of that. BART also reaches Oakland, Berkeley, and Millbrae for Caltrain connections.Ride-hails from SFO use a dedicated garage pickup area; follow signs. Taxis are metered; downtown SF costs $40–60. Caltrain to the Peninsula (Mountain View, Palo Alto, San Jose) requires taking BART to Millbrae station for the transfer. Rental cars are at a consolidated facility accessible by AirTrain.
Coastal fog dominates the climate pattern. The thick marine layer ("Karl the Fog") rolls into SFO from the Pacific regularly in summer (June–September), causing significant low-visibility delays even on days that appear sunny inland. Morning fog burns off by afternoon most days, but persistent IFR conditions can last all day. This is the primary flight disruption risk at SFO.
Temperatures are mild year-round (10–20°C) with little seasonal variation. Winters bring rain (December–March) and occasional atmospheric river events that cause brief but intense flooding on the 101. Summers are cool. Pack a light jacket year-round. Wind off the bay affects small aircraft approach paths.
PVG–SFO Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from PVG to SFO
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) are connected by nonstop service from China Eastern Airlines and United Airlines. With 10 weekly departures, this is a regularly served route.
PVG to SFO Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from PVG to SFO ranges from 10 hours 55 minutes to 11 hours 10 minutes. The route covers a distance of 6,138 miles (9,877 km). There are approximately 10 weekly flights outbound and 10 return, totaling 20 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
40 one-stop connections are available, with the fastest taking approximately 18 hours via SEA. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs.