San Francisco to Beijing (SFO–PEK) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
No flights match your filters.
No scheduled airline flights on this route — it's flown by charter / private operators (). No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
Most recently operated nonstop flights — the month shown is when each was last scheduled. Most destinations remain reachable with a connection.
No discontinued nonstop flights on record for this route.
SFO–PEK is served by 2 airlines with nonstop service. United Airlines and Air China lead the route. The flight covers 5,900 miles in approximately 13h 58m. Beyond nonstop, 1-stop connecting options are also available.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UA United Airlines | 7 | 772 | 13h50 | Star Alliance | – | |
| CA Air China | 2 | 773 | 14h05 | Star Alliance | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
On-Time Performance
Other ways to reach Beijing from San Francisco
| Metric | SFO→PEK | SJC→PEK |
|---|---|---|
| Distance from SFO | – | 30 mi |
| Nonstop airlines | 2 | 3 |
| Weekly flights | 9 | 1 |
| Flight time | 13h 58m | 12h 33m |
| Departure OTP | 75% | – |
Travel Essentials
SFO: PDT · PEK: CST
When it's 6:00 PM in San Francisco, it's 9:00 AM (next day) in Beijing.
US passport holders can enter China visa-free for stays up to 30 days under a temporary policy running through December 31, 2026. This covers tourism, business visits, and transit. No advance application is needed. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of entry.
For stays beyond 30 days, a standard visa from a Chinese embassy or consulate is required before departure. Separate 144-hour and 72-hour visa-free transit programs exist at select airports for travelers continuing to a third country.
BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) runs from downtown San Francisco (Embarcadero, Powell St.) to the SFO station and then a free AirTrain shuttle to all terminals (30–40 min from Embarcadero, $10.45). BART also connects Oakland and Berkeley; useful for East Bay travelers. Trains run from ~4am to midnight.Taxis from downtown San Francisco cost $40–60. Ride-hails (Uber, Lyft) pick up in the designated area in the garage and are often $30–50 depending on surge pricing. SamTrans buses serve Peninsula cities. Highway 101 and I-280 are heavily congested during commute hours; BART is faster than driving at those times.
Airport Express to Dongzhimen takes 16 minutes (¥25) and connects to Metro Lines 2 and 13 for central Beijing. Running 6am to 11pm from T2 and T3. It bypasses road congestion regardless of traffic conditions.Taxis use the meter; central Beijing runs ¥80–120 from the airport. Didi ride-hailing is available and widely used. Airport express buses (¥25–30) serve multiple city zones. T3 (international hub) and T2 are connected by a free inter-terminal bus if not airside. Note: Beijing has two airports; Capital (PEK) and Daxing (PKX) are not connected by convenient transport.
Humid continental climate with cold, dry winters (−8 to 2°C) and hot summers (28–35°C). The primary flight disruption risks are winter fog and smog (November–February, heavily air quality-dependent), summer thunderstorms (July–August), and spring sandstorms from the Gobi Desert (March–May) that can reduce visibility rapidly.
Fall (September–October) brings clear skies and minimal disruptions. The 2022 Winter Olympics improved Beijing's snowfall preparedness. Fog and smog remain serious delay causes through winter.
SFO–PEK Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from SFO to PEK
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) are connected by nonstop service from United Airlines and Air China. With 9 weekly departures, this is a regularly served route.
SFO to PEK Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from SFO to PEK is about 13 hours 58 minutes gate to gate. The route covers a distance of 5,900 miles (9,494 km). There are approximately 9 weekly flights outbound and 9 return, totaling 18 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
1-stop connecting options are also available, commonly via Los Angeles, Incheon and Narita. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs. Nearby alternative airports include San Jose (SJC).