Best time to go: what is the RIGHT price for a round-trip flight to Shanghai (from: Los Angeles )

The average price to go to Shanghai from Los Angeles airport is $ 1642 (round trip). However, there are variations depending on the departure month. Thus, it is possible to pay for your plane ticket on average between $ 1344 (in february) and $ 1990 (in july), which is a saving of $ 299 or a surplus of $ 349 (compared to the average price) depending on the period you leave.

The analysis of all prices reveals that the most frequent price is between $591 to $645 and it is generally more economical to leave on a thursday and return on a thursday on a flight with 1 or more layovers.

Be careful, the cheapest months may correspond to unfavorable weather periods . Check out our page best time to go to Shanghai before booking your flight.

If you want to know when to book your flight at the best price, go straight to the second part of this page: When to buy your Los Angeles -Shanghai plane ticket.

How are these data calculated?

We have studied a sample of 60000 airfare prices from previous years for flights to Shanghai from Los Angeles and can thus establish precise and credible price variation trends based on different parameters. Of course, prices can vary from year to year, but the seasonal aspect of this data (recurrence of school holidays, events... from year to year) makes these statistics quite reliable.

Average price depending on the departure month

Data analysis:

By leaving in february, the price of the plane ticket will statistically be the cheapest ($ 1344, saving $ 299 compared to the average price over the year which is $ 1642). Conversely, july will be the most expensive ($ 1990).

Flight Los Angeles -Shanghai: when is the best time to go for the best price?

Month Good price* Average price Our opinion
January$ 969 $ 1556 fair price
February$ 867 $ 1344 very good price
March$ 888 $ 1523 fair price
April$ 869 $ 1514 fair price
May$ 952 $ 1544 fair price
June$ 1288 $ 1978 high price
July$ 1316 $ 1990 very high price
August$ 1224 $ 1924 high price
September$ 1032 $ 1639 fair price
October$ 995 $ 1494 good price
November$ 922 $ 1474 good price
December$ 1114 $ 1726 fair price

*great price to buy your plane ticket: if you see this price or cheaper during your flight search, go for it and buy it!

Price breakdown to travel from Los Angeles to Shanghai

Data analysis:

The prices for flights from Los Angeles to Shanghai range from $269 to $2042. 1% of tickets were purchased at the minimum price (from $269 to $323), 1% at the maximum price (from $1988 to $2042). The majority of plane tickets were purchased in the range of $1236 to $1290 (4% of tickets).

Cheapest airlines for the Los Angeles ->Shanghai flight

There are 22 companies that serve Los Angeles from Shanghai airport: United, Philippine Airlines, China Eastern, Cathay Pacific, Air Canada, Viva Macau, Japan Airlines, Air China, EVA Air, Delta, Singapore Airlines, ANA, Alaska Airlines, Asiana Airlines, Xiamen Airlines, Korean Air, Hainan Airlines, Turkish Airlines, China Airlines, Qatar Airways, China Southern and Hawaiian Airlines.

Data analysis:

Of the 60000 flights analyzed in previous years, United was the airline that offered the best fare most often in the flight ticket search results (15% of the time) on the Los Angeles ->Shanghai route.

Direct flight or flight with layover?

Data analysis:

To get the best price for the Los Angeles -Shanghai flight, you should take a flight with one or more layovers (you will save an average of $ 1133 compared to a direct flight).

Which day of the week to leave?

Data analysis:

Statistically, Los Angeles -Shanghai flights departing on a thursday are cheaper than on other days of the week. By choosing a thursday as your departure date, you can save an average of $70. On the other hand, departing on a friday may cost you an additional $119.

Which day of the week to come back?

Data analysis:

Statistically, return flights from Shanghai to Los Angeles departing on a thursday are cheaper than on other days of the week. By choosing a thursday for your return date, you will save an average of $83. Conversely, departing from Shanghai on a friday may cost you an additional $80.


Top prices Los Angeles -Shanghai

Round tripDatesPrice
Los Angeles → Shanghai14-05 to 23-05-2024$ 1049 
Los Angeles → Shanghai19-08 to 25-08-2024$ 1049 
Los Angeles → Shanghai05-09 to 19-09-2024$ 1048 
Los Angeles → Shanghai08-09 to 26-09-2024$ 1049 
Los Angeles → Shanghai01-10 to 10-10-2024$ 1033 
Los Angeles → Shanghai16-10 to 23-10-2024$ 1046 
Los Angeles → Shanghai17-10 to 23-10-2024$ 1048 
Los Angeles → Shanghai02-11 to 19-11-2024$ 1001 
Los Angeles → Shanghai13-11 to 27-11-2024$ 1049 
Los Angeles → Shanghai14-11 to 23-11-2024$ 973 


When to book your flight Los Angeles - Shanghai to get the cheapest price?

Statistically, you will make the biggest savings by buying your plane ticket between 11 to 12 months in advance. However, you may end up paying a high price if you book between 10 to 11 months in advance.

Did you know: the price of plane tickets not only varies depending on how far in advance you book, but also on the day of the week you book! So, to maximize your chances of getting the best price for a Los Angeles -Shanghai flight, it is recommended to book your ticket on a tuesday.

How far in advance should I buy my flight?

Data analysis:

To get the cheapest flight ticket from Los Angeles to Shanghai, it is recommended to buy it 11 to 12 months before departure (it is then on average 1431 $, which is a saving of 211 $ compared to the overall average price). On the other hand, if you buy your ticket 10 to 11 months in advance, you will pay the full price (277 $ more than the average price).

Depending on the departure month

The best time to buy your Los Angeles to Shanghai flight ticket may vary depending on your departure month. Therefore, we offer you statistics on when to book your flight month by month.

Departure on... How far in advance should I book?
January

Best time: 6 to 7 months before departure (average price: 1344 $)

Other interesting period(s): 2 to 3 months ($ 1375), 3 to 4 months ($ 1437), 4 to 5 months ($ 1480), 5 to 6 months ($ 1456)

February

Best time: 4 to 5 months before departure (average price: 1008 $)

Other interesting period(s): 1 to 2 months ($ 1308), 2 to 3 months ($ 1249), 3 to 4 months ($ 1333), 6 to 7 months ($ 1301), 7 to 8 months ($ 1248)

March

Best time: 5 to 6 months before departure (average price: 925 $)

Other interesting period(s): 1 to 2 months ($ 1348), 2 to 3 months ($ 1195), 6 to 7 months ($ 1322), 8 to 9 months ($ 1119), 9 to 10 months ($ 1287)

April

Best time: 3 to 4 months before departure (average price: 1080 $)

Other interesting period(s): 5 to 6 months ($ 1387), 6 to 7 months ($ 1356), 9 to 10 months ($ 1215), 10 to 11 months ($ 1389)

May

Best time: 10 to 11 months before departure (average price: 1218 $)

Other interesting period(s): 1 to 2 months ($ 1496), 2 to 3 months ($ 1447), 3 to 4 months ($ 1443), 4 to 5 months ($ 1271), 7 to 8 months ($ 1476)

June

Best time: 5 to 6 months before departure (average price: 1554 $)

Other interesting period(s): 3 to 4 months ($ 1799), 4 to 5 months ($ 1724), 6 to 7 months ($ 1656), 9 to 10 months ($ 1791), 10 to 11 months ($ 1699)

July

Best time: 5 to 6 months before departure (average price: 1459 $)

Other interesting period(s): 2 to 3 months ($ 1933), 4 to 5 months ($ 1649), 6 to 7 months ($ 1528), 7 to 8 months ($ 1461), 9 to 10 months ($ 1519), 11 to 12 months ($ 1709)

August

Best time: 7 to 8 months before departure (average price: 1430 $)

Other interesting period(s): 2 to 3 months ($ 1871), 3 to 4 months ($ 1725), 5 to 6 months ($ 1586), 6 to 7 months ($ 1651), 8 to 9 months ($ 1753)

September

Best time: 7 to 8 months before departure (average price: 1096 $)

Other interesting period(s): 2 to 3 months ($ 1577), 3 to 4 months ($ 1331), 4 to 5 months ($ 1440), 6 to 7 months ($ 1322), 8 to 9 months ($ 1312), 11 to 12 months ($ 1239)

October

Best time: 10 to 11 months before departure (average price: 1151 $)

Other interesting period(s): 2 to 3 months ($ 1353), 3 to 4 months ($ 1380), 4 to 5 months ($ 1282), 5 to 6 months ($ 1481), 7 to 8 months ($ 1327), 8 to 9 months ($ 1436), 9 to 10 months ($ 1391), 11 to 12 months ($ 1319)

November

Best time: 9 to 10 months before departure (average price: 1093 $)

Other interesting period(s): 1 to 2 months ($ 1412), 4 to 5 months ($ 1138), 5 to 6 months ($ 1113), 6 to 7 months ($ 1212), 7 to 8 months ($ 1422), 10 to 11 months ($ 1294)

December

Best time: 11 to 12 months before departure (average price: 1389 $)

Other interesting period(s): 2 to 3 months ($ 1615), 3 to 4 months ($ 1671), 4 to 5 months ($ 1410), 5 to 6 months ($ 1474), 6 to 7 months ($ 1547), 10 to 11 months ($ 1543)

What day of the week should I book my flight ticket?

Data analysis:

Statistically, tuesday is the day when plane tickets for Los Angeles ->Shanghai are the cheapest. So, by buying your plane ticket on a tuesday, you will save $30. Conversely, by buying it on a sunday, you may end up paying $55 more.



Los Angeles to Shanghai: flight price when booking today

Information: this data is not statistics but comes from real prices collected less than 7 days ago. Some months may not be available as we do not have enough data for them.

Month Current price
May 2024$ 2172
$1049 to $3755
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June 2024$ 2071
$1182 to $3079
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July 2024$ 2160
$1367 to $5402
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August 2024$ 2245
$1049 to $3178
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September 2024$ 1460
$1038 to $1919
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October 2024$ 1395
$917 to $2830
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November 2024$ 1244
$973 to $1575
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December 2024$ 1727
$1200 to $2135
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January 2025$ 5330
$1327 to $7332
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February 2025$ 5721
$1088 to $13254
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March 2025$ 1073
$1048 to $1109
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April 2025$ 1249
$1060 to $1365
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Data analysis:

Compared to the average price, september, october, november, march and april are cheaper to travel to Shanghai. So it may be interesting to book now to leave during these months!



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