Compare airlines, prices, and flight durations for your trip
Cheapest flights from London to Shanghai
Flaut.Travel was designed and developed by a team dedicated to making the process of searching, comparing and booking airline tickets as easy and convenient as possible. Our service helps travelers to find and buy the cheapest flights from London to Shanghai. We have connected more than 40 airlines and airline ticketing agencies to help you find the most suitable and affordable flight option.
Remember that on average the ideal time to book flights is 2 months before departure!
A non-stop flight is the most convenient and comfortable way to fly from London to Shanghai, despite the fact that sometimes flights with transfers can cost significantly less.
Schedule of direct flights from London to Shanghai
The only airline operating direct flights from London to Shanghai is Air China. Flights operate every day.
London airports overview
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Shanghai airports overview
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Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Answers to questions about the route that travelers are most interested in.
Special offers and sales on air tickets from London to Shanghai
We keep tight track on airlines' pre-holidays sales and other special offers occurences all the time to let you save maximum amount of funds while traveling to your family or just going out on vacation.
Alternative routes
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The London — Shanghai route is served by a wide range of airlines: 10 in total, including Air China, China Eastern Airlines, British Airways, Ryanair, LC Busre SAC, Malta Air, China Southern Airlines, Beijing Capital Airlines, Wizz Air, and Pegasus Airlines. Competition among carriers gives passengers the opportunity to find tickets at attractive fares — with prices starting from $286. Our service helps compare all available offers within seconds and choose the most convenient option. You can filter flights by price, departure time, or baggage rules to make your trip as comfortable as possible. With so many airlines, there’s always a chance to catch special promotions and save.
The cheapest one-way flight from London to Shanghai departs on 09/16/2026, is operated by Ryanair and costs $286
Cheapest round trip flight
$595
Hainan Airlines
1 layover
2d 4h 10m
09/02/2026
The cheapest roundtrip flight from London to Shanghai departs on 09/02/2026, is operated by Hainan Airlines and costs $595
The fastest flight
10h 55m
Fastest flight from London to Shanghai takes 10h 55m
Direct flights
Every day
There are direct flights on this route 7 days a week: Su, Mo, Tu, We, Th, Fr, and Sa
Earliest flight
11:15 AM
Latest flight
9:20 PM
Average flight duration
3h 10m
Direct flights count
40
Distance
9196km
Timezone difference
8h
The distance between London and Shanghai is 9196km (5702 miles). The average flight duration is 3h 10m. There are 40 direct flights from London to Shanghai. The time difference between London and Shanghai is 8h. Flights from London begin at 11:15 AM. The latest flight from London departs at 9:20 PM
London is served by several airports that together cover international, short-haul and low-cost traffic. Heathrow (LHR) is the city’s main international hub, typically used by full-service carriers and offering long-haul connections; it sits about 25 km west of central London and is usually reachable by the Heathrow Express (15–20 minutes), the Elizabeth Line or the Piccadilly Line (30–60 minutes), with fares ranging from moderate to premium. Gatwick (LGW) to the south commonly hosts both legacy and low-cost airlines, around 45 km from the centre, linked by a 30–40 minute express train or coach services at lower fares. Stansted (STN) and Luton (LTN) are typically budget-leaning airports farther out (35–70 km), popular with low-cost carriers and often cheaper on ticket price; expect longer transfer times by coach or train (40–90 minutes) and lower fares. London City (LCY) is a compact, business-oriented airport in the east, closest to central districts (about 10 km), often used for short business hops with quick DLR or taxi connections (15–30 minutes) but tighter luggage and aircraft restrictions. Pros across the network include frequent flights and route choice; cons can be variable transfer times, possible extra costs for airport transfers or bags, and different comfort levels depending on the airport and airline.
Shanghai is served primarily by two airports with different roles. Pudong International (PVG) functions as the city’s major international hub, handling most long-haul and full-service carrier traffic alongside some premium regional connections; fares can be mid to high depending on season. It sits about 30–40 km east of central Shanghai, reachable by the Maglev plus metro (around 40–60 minutes, combined fares typically moderate), direct metro lines (approx 60–80 minutes) and taxis (roughly 45–70 minutes, fares vary with traffic). Pudong is spacious and well-equipped for transfers but can be farther from central districts. Hongqiao (SHA) is closer and usually caters to domestic and regional flights, favored by budget and business travelers for shorter haul services. Located roughly 13 km west of downtown, Hongqiao is served by metro and high-speed rail with journeys of 20–35 minutes and modest fares, while taxis are quicker but subject to congestion. Hongqiao is convenient for quick city access though it offers fewer long-haul options than Pudong.
What is the cheapest price for flights from London to Shanghai?
The cheapest flight ticket from London to Shanghai according to data for the last 48 hours costs $286
When is the best time to buy air tickets on the route London — Shanghai?
Often the best time to buy tickets from London to Shanghai is 2 months before departure.
When is the cheapest time of year to fly from London to Shanghai?
Based on statistics over the past years, the lowest prices for flights from London to Shanghai can be found flying in these months: August, November, December.
How long does it take to fly from London to Shanghai?
The fastest flights from London to Shanghai start from 10 hours 55 minutes in the air.
Which airline can fly direct from London to Shanghai?
The following airlines operate direct flights on the route London — Shanghai: Air China, China Eastern Airlines, British Airways
The minimum one-way ticket price from London to Shanghai is $265 (August 2026), while the maximum is $473 (March 2027). On average, a ticket costs $380–$794.
Price dynamics
Prices on the London — Shanghai route are consistently going up. From August 2026 to July 2027, tickets went from $265 to $446 — a 68% increase. This trend is worth considering when planning your trip.
Cheaper and more expensive periods
The most significant price increase was from November 2026 to March 2027 — up 61%. The best time to fly is August 2026–September 2026, when the average price is $315. In March 2027–July 2027, tickets cost around $460.
Best time to buy
Given the rising prices, it's best not to delay your purchase. Flying in August 2026–September 2026 can save you up to 32% compared to the most expensive months.
Price predictability
Price variation across months on this route is 17.1%. Your choice of departure month significantly affects the total flight cost.
