San Francisco to Shanghai (Pudong) (SFO–PVG) — 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–PVG 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 13h 28m. Beyond nonstop, 1-stop connecting options are also available.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UA United Airlines | 7 | 77W | 12h55 | Star Alliance | – | |
| MU China Eastern Airlines | 3 | 77W | 14h | SkyTeam | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
On-Time Performance
Travel Essentials
SFO: PDT · PVG: CST
When it's 6:00 PM in San Francisco, it's 9:00 AM (next day) in Shanghai (Pudong).
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.
Maglev to Longyang Road (8 min, ¥50) is a fast exit; transfer to Metro Line 2 onward. Metro Line 2 runs directly from PVG T1/T2 to People's Square and Hongqiao Airport (1.5–2 hrs, ¥7). Taxis have a meter; expect ¥130–200 to Puxi (west side) depending on destination and traffic tunnels used.Airport buses serve multiple city zones (¥22–36, 60–90 min). DiDi ride-hail is available and typically cheaper than street taxis for longer distances.
Humid subtropical climate with four distinct seasons. Summers (June–August) are hot and oppressively humid (28–37°C) with typhoon risk. Storms can cause flight cancellations with little warning. Winters (December–February) are cold and damp (1–8°C) with occasional frost. Dense fog disrupts departures regularly in January–February.
Spring is rainy and mild. Autumn (October–November) is the most settled period. Clear skies and 12–22°C make it the best window for travel. Pack layers for shoulder seasons. An umbrella is useful year-round.
SFO–PVG Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from SFO to PVG
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) are connected by nonstop service from United Airlines and China Eastern Airlines. With 10 weekly departures, this is a regularly served route.
SFO to PVG Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from SFO to PVG is about 13 hours 28 minutes gate to gate. 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
1-stop connecting options are also available, commonly via Kansai, Incheon and Narita. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs.