Find the cheapest flights from London to Shanghai in 2026. Compare airlines, prices by month, and booking tips to save on your trip.
Route: London (LHR) → Shanghai (PVG)
Distance: Direct flights not available
Flight Duration: 14-22 h with 1 stop
Prices by Month
| Month | Avg Price | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| January | €520 | high |
| February | €540 | high |
| March | €450 | medium |
| April | €470 | medium |
| May | €490 | medium |
| June | €520 | high |
| July | €620 | high |
| August | €650 | high |
| September | €520 | high |
| October | €460 | medium |
| November | €380 | low |
| December | €480 | medium |
Airlines on This Route
- British Airways (direct): from €550 — BA often releases seats 11 months ahead. Use their ‘Low Fare Finder’ tool and check both LHR-PVG and Gatwick connections for better deals.
- Virgin Atlantic (direct): from €520 — Virgin typically offers cheaper prices than BA on this route. Check their website Tuesdays-Thursdays for flash sales. Their Upper Class cabin is highly rated for this long-haul.
- Air China (connecting): from €420 — Often the cheapest connecting option. Routes via Beijing (PEK) can be shorter but check visa requirements. Book 8+ weeks ahead for best prices.
- Emirates (connecting): from €480 — Premium cabin experience at competitive prices. Check multi-city options to Dubai if you want a stopover. Their A380 service on this route is excellent.
- Qatar Airways (connecting): from €460 — Often cheapest for connecting flights via Doha. Use their ‘Explore’ tool to see if adding a multi-city stop saves money. Check both morning and evening departures.
- Turkish Airlines (connecting): from €390 — Frequently the cheapest European carrier option. Istanbul is a major hub with short connection times. Book 6-10 weeks ahead for optimal pricing.
Booking Strategy
The London to Shanghai route sees its lowest prices from mid-November through early December and again in March, when you can find return flights from €380-450. The most expensive periods are Chinese New Year (late January to February), the entire summer peak (June-August), and the week surrounding Chinese National Day in October. For the best deals, book 6-8 weeks in advance for economy class—booking too early (11+ months) sometimes yields higher prices, while last-minute bookings rarely offer savings on this popular business route. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are consistently the cheapest days to fly, with typical savings of €50-100 compared to weekend departures. Use Skyscanner’s ‘Everywhere’ search to compare airlines, and consider flying into Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA) if your final destination is in the Huangpu/Pudong area, as it’s closer to the city center than Pudong Airport. British Airways and Virgin Atlantic operate the only direct services, but connecting flights via Gulf hubs or European carriers often work out cheaper and offer more flight time flexibility.
Route Tips
- Use London Heathrow Terminal 5 for British Airways or Terminal 3 for Virgin Atlantic—allow 2.5 hours minimum for international departures and ensure your Chinese visa is valid before heading to the airport.
- Shanghai Pudong Airport has excellent fast-track immigration for business class passengers—look for the priority lanes if eligible.
- Consider a stopover if flying Emirates or Qatar Airways—Dubai and Doha both offer free transit tours if your layover is 6+ hours, effectively giving you two destinations for the price of one.
- Download a VPN and WeChat before arriving in China, as Western apps including Google, WhatsApp, and Facebook are blocked without one.
- For the best views on arrival, request a window seat on the left side of the aircraft when flying into Shanghai Pudong from London—the approach offers stunning city views on clear days.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the flight from London to Shanghai?
The direct flight from London Heathrow (LHR) to Shanghai Pudong (PVG) takes approximately 11 hours 35 minutes. British Airways and Virgin Atlantic operate daily direct services on this route. If you opt for a connecting flight, expect a total travel time of 14-22 hours depending on the layover duration. Popular connecting routes include Air China via Beijing (14-16 hours), Turkish Airlines via Istanbul (15-18 hours), and Emirates via Dubai (16-20 hours). The shortest connecting options typically go through the Gulf states, while European connections may have longer layovers but often better prices.
How much does it cost to fly from London to Shanghai?
Return flights from London to Shanghai start from around €300-350 for one-way deals in the low season, though return fares typically begin at €380-450. The average return price in economy is €450-550, rising to €600-800 during peak summer months (July-August) and Chinese New Year. Business class return flights range from €2,000-4,000, with First Class reaching €6,000+. Direct flights with British Airways or Virgin Atlantic are usually €100-200 more expensive than the best connecting options. November through early December offers the lowest prices, while August is typically the most expensive month to fly this route.
Are there direct flights from London to Shanghai?
Yes, direct flights operate daily between London Heathrow (LHR) and Shanghai Pudong (PVG). British Airways offers 1-2 daily departures using Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, while Virgin Atlantic operates daily services on this route. Both airlines provide Economy, Premium Economy, and Business Class options. There are no direct flights from London Gatwick or Stansted to Shanghai. As of early 2024, China Eastern had suspended their London-Shanghai direct service, leaving BA and Virgin as the sole direct operators. If you need the most convenient option, the direct flights are your best choice despite being pricier than connecting alternatives.
What is the cheapest month to fly from London to Shanghai?
November offers the cheapest flights from London to Shanghai, with average return prices around €380-450. Other affordable months include March (€450-480), October (€460-500), and early December before the Christmas spike (€480-520). The most expensive periods are Chinese New Year (January-February, €520-600), the entire summer peak from June through August (€550-700), and the Chinese National Day holiday in early October. Avoid booking during the ‘Golden Week’ holidays in China as prices surge significantly. For the best value, target mid-week departures in late November and consider灵活性 in your travel dates to save €100 or more.
Which airlines fly from London to Shanghai?
Direct carriers are British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, both offering daily services from London Heathrow. Among connecting airlines, the most popular options include Air China (via Beijing), Emirates (via Dubai), Qatar Airways (via Doha), Turkish Airlines (via Istanbul), KLM/Air France (via Amsterdam/Paris), and Singapore Airlines (via Singapore). Air China and Turkish Airlines typically offer the lowest connecting fares, while Gulf carriers like Emirates and Qatar provide a more premium experience at competitive prices. All major airlines serving this route include at least one checked baggage allowance in the ticket price, though weight limits vary from 23kg to 30kg depending on the carrier and cabin class.
What is the cheapest month to fly from London to Shanghai?
Shanghai has two main airports: Shanghai Pudong International (PVG), located 30km east of the city center, and Shanghai Hongqiao International (SHA), situated 13km west of central Shanghai. Most long-haul international flights, including those from London, arrive at Pudong Airport. From Pudong, the Maglev train reaches downtown in 8 minutes (¥50/$7) or you can take Metro Line 2 (¥9/$1.20, 90 minutes). Taxis to the city cost around ¥200-250 ($27-35) and take 45-60 minutes depending on traffic. Hongqiao is closer to the city but handles fewer international routes. Ensure your visa allows entry before booking, as most nationalities require a Chinese visa unless eligible for transit without visa (TWOV) schemes.
How far in advance should I book London to Shanghai flights?
For London to Shanghai flights, the optimal booking window is 6-10 weeks before departure for economy class. Booking exactly 7 weeks ahead typically yields the lowest prices—research shows fares tend to rise sharply after this window. For business travelers needing flexibility, last-minute deals occasionally appear 2-3 days before departure, but these are rare and unreliable. During Chinese New Year and summer peak, book 10-12 weeks ahead as availability tightens. Avoid booking 11+ months in advance when seats first open, as airlines often haven’t released their cheapest fare classes yet—wait until 6-8 months out for better deals. Use fare alerts set 8 weeks before your target travel dates to catch price drops.
Is it cheaper to fly from London to Shanghai on weekdays?
Yes, flying midweek from London to Shanghai is significantly cheaper than weekend departures. Tuesday and Wednesday departures typically cost €50-120 less than Friday or Sunday flights. This pattern holds true across all airlines, with the biggest differences during off-peak periods. For example, a Tuesday return in November might cost €380 while the same flight on Saturday could be €480+. If your schedule allows, depart Tuesday-Wednesday and return Monday-Wednesday for the best fares. The difference is less pronounced during peak season but still averages €40-60 in savings. Use Skyscanner’s ‘Whole month’ view to identify the cheapest day combinations for your specific travel dates.
Data updated: 2026-03
