Shanghai (Pudong) to Los Angeles
13h 21m The flight from Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) covers 10,415 km (6,472 miles) and takes approximately 13h 21m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads north-east on an initial great-circle bearing of 46°, passing near 51.8° N, 179.8° W at its midpoint.
The route
The great-circle path — the shortest line between the two airports across the curve of the earth. On a flat map it looks bent; on a globe it is straight.
Flight time at different cruise speeds
Aircraft type, winds and routing all move the real number. This is the same distance flown at different speeds, plus the 25-minute ground and climb allowance.
| Typical of | Cruise speed | Airborne | Gate to gate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turboprop / regional | 550 km/h | 18h 56m | 19h 21m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 13h 21m | 13h 46m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 11h 34m | 12h 00m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 12h 15m | 12h 40m |
Headwinds on an eastbound long-haul routinely add 30–60 minutes; the same route westbound can be quicker. Airlines publish schedules with padding built in.
Both airports
| PVG | LAX | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Shanghai Pudong International Airport | Los Angeles International Airport |
| City | Shanghai (Pudong) | Los Angeles |
| Country | China | United States |
| ICAO | ZSPD | KLAX |
| Coordinates | 31.1434, 121.805 | 33.9425, -118.408 |
| Elevation | 13 ft | 125 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from Shanghai (Pudong) to Los Angeles?
A non-stop flight from Shanghai (Pudong) (PVG) to Los Angeles (LAX) takes about 13h 21m. The great-circle distance is 10,415 km (6,472 miles, 5,624 nautical miles), flying north-east on an initial bearing of 46°.
How far is Shanghai (Pudong) from Los Angeles?
10,415 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 6,472 miles or 5,624 nautical miles. Actual flown distance is usually 2–5% longer because aircraft follow airways, avoid weather and route around restricted airspace.
Is there a non-stop flight between PVG and LAX?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 10,415 km the route is within reach of long-range widebodies, though not every city pair is served non-stop. Check an airline or booking site for what is actually scheduled.
What should I expect on a 13h 21m flight?
Anything past six hours is a long-haul flight: expect at least one meal service, a significant time-zone shift, and enough sitting that circulation and hydration start to matter. Cabin altitude, dry air and disrupted sleep do more damage to a training routine than the flight itself.
Other routes from Shanghai (Pudong)
Airport coordinates from OurAirports (public domain). Distance is a great-circle calculation; flight time uses the model described on the method page. Flight times are great-circle estimates for planning only — always check the airline's published schedule.