Shanghai (Minhang) to Houston (SHA–IAH) — 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.
SHA–IAH had nonstop service from United Airlines, last on the schedule in May 2026. There's no nonstop on it right now, so today you'd fly it with one stop. The connecting options below are sorted by layover. Nonstop, it's about 7,573 miles in 3h 25m.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UA United Airlines | 1 | – | – | – | Star Alliance | – |
Connection Landscape
On-Time Performance
Travel Essentials
SHA: CST · IAH: CDT
When it's 6:00 PM in Shanghai (Minhang), it's 5:00 AM in Houston.
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.
Metro Lines 2 and 10 both serve Hongqiao Airport Terminal 2. Line 2 connects to People's Square (city center) in about 30 minutes (¥6) and continues to Pudong Airport; the most direct transit link in Shanghai. Line 10 serves the western and southern city.Taxis from the city center cost ¥40–70 (30–45 min). DiDi runs ¥35–60. The Hongqiao Railway Station is integrated into the same complex; high-speed rail connections to Nanjing, Hangzhou, and Beijing are direct from the same building, making SHA the best-connected inter-modal hub in China.
No direct rail from IAH. The METRO bus 102 (IAH Express) runs to downtown Houston's transit center (60–90 min, $1.25). Taxis to downtown Houston cost $50–70. Ride-hails pick up at the designated Rideshare zones outside baggage claim on the lower level.IAH has five terminals (A–E) connected by an underground tunnel with trams. Terminal D handles international arrivals. Rental car agencies are in a consolidated facility adjacent to Terminal C; a free IAH Connector bus runs between terminals and the rental car center. The Galleria / Uptown area costs $35–50 by ride-hail.
Humid subtropical climate. Hot, humid, and wet for much of the year. Summers are brutal (33–38°C) with high humidity and near-daily afternoon thunderstorms. Severe storms with hail and high winds regularly cause ground stops from April through September. Houston's flooding risk is significant. Heavy rain events, including tropical system remnants, have flooded airport roads, cutting off surface access even when the airport itself remains operational.
Winters are mild (5–18°C) with occasional ice storms. These are rare but highly disruptive when they occur. Hurricane season (June–November) requires monitoring for Gulf storms. October through March has the best flying weather.
SHA–IAH Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from SHA to IAH
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) and George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) had nonstop service from United Airlines, last on the schedule in May 2026. The nonstop is dormant right now, so the way to fly it today is one connection, and the options above are sorted by layover.
SHA to IAH Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from SHA to IAH is about 3 hours 25 minutes gate to gate. The route covers a distance of 7,573 miles (12,186 km).
Connecting Options and Alternatives
1-stop connecting options are also available, commonly via Tokyo Haneda. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs.