Summary United Airlines has resumed flights from Los Angeles to Shanghai. It is one of two passenger carriers serving the market, although four existed until the pandemic. In 2019, United only had two Asian routes from Los Angeles, but now there are four.
It took over four years, but United Airlines resumed service from Los Angeles to Shanghai Pudong. It is its second route to the Chinese metropolis, alongside San Francisco, which returned in January 2023. When all of United's China flights are considered, it plans 77 departures in September— down by 73% compared to the 283 before the pandemic in September 2020.
Ouch. Welcome back, Los Angeles-Shanghai! On August 29, Star Alliance member United left for Shanghai. It last served the route in March 2020 due to COVID-19 and its consequences on market access and demand.
United began Los Angeles-Shanghai Pudong flights in 2011. In September 2024, it will run four times weekly on the 257-seat Boeing 787-9, down from the daily 787-9 service before the pandemic. However, starting on October 27, when northern airlines switch to winter schedules based on IATA slot seasons, daily flights will return.
It is the second carrier on the 5,635 nautical mile (10,437 km) airport pair, alongside China Eastern's daily 777-300ER operation. Various freight operators also serve it, making it one of the world's largest dedicated freighter markets. United's schedule is as follows, with all times local: Los Angeles-Shanghai Pudong : UA198, 12:55-17:4.