Long-haul
Economy
- Meals and drinks included
- Seat-back entertainment
- One 8 kg carry-on plus an under-seat item
Airline Guide MU · SkyTeam
China Eastern flights to Shanghai and across Asia.
China Eastern is one of China's three largest airlines and the main carrier at Shanghai. From the U.S. it flies nonstop to Shanghai Pudong from Los Angeles and New York, with onward connections across China, Japan, Korea and Southeast Asia.
- IATA / ICAO
- MU / CES
- Main hub
- Shanghai Pudong (PVG)
- U.S. gateways
- Los Angeles, New York JFK
- Alliance
- SkyTeam, since 2011
- Loyalty
- Eastern Miles
- Founded
- 1988
Airline profile · updated 21 October 2026 · Photo: S5A-0043, CC BY 4.0
Official website
Search My Trip is an independent travel agency, not China Eastern Airlines. We help you compare and book MU flights; check-in, seats and onboard service are handled by the airline.
Why China Eastern
Shanghai as your gateway to Asia
Shanghai Pudong is China Eastern's main international hub. From there it flies to most of mainland China and to Japan, Korea and Southeast Asia, so a single stop in Shanghai can get you to cities that have no nonstop flight from the U.S.
Two Shanghai airports
International flights use Pudong (PVG); many domestic flights use Hongqiao (SHA), on the other side of the city.
First C919 operator
In May 2023 China Eastern flew the first commercial flight of the COMAC C919, China's home-built airliner.
Delta partner
Delta owns a stake in China Eastern and both are SkyTeam members, so miles can be earned on either.
Domestic China
A large network from Shanghai, Kunming, Xi'an and Beijing Daxing.
Routes
Popular China Eastern routes
Nonstop between the U.S. and Shanghai
LAXPVG
Los Angeles → Shanghai
~14h nonstop
Live fares
JFKPVG
New York → Shanghai
~16h nonstop
Live fares
PVGLAX
Shanghai → Los Angeles
MU583 · ~12h
Live fares
PVGJFK
Shanghai → New York
MU587 · ~15h
Live fares
From Columbus via Shanghai
CMHPVG
Columbus → Shanghai
See schedules
Live fares
CMHNRT
Columbus → Tokyo
See schedules
Live fares
CMHICN
Columbus → Seoul
See schedules
Live fares
CMHBKK
Columbus → Bangkok
See schedules
Live fares
Flight times are approximate and vary by season and direction. Flights between the U.S. and China are limited by government agreements, so frequencies change often — click a route for live schedules and prices.
For U.S. passport holders
Transit and visa rules in Shanghai
Staying airside
Connecting in Shanghai without leaving the international transfer area normally needs no Chinese visa.
240-hour transit
U.S. passport holders can spend up to 240 hours (10 days) in China without a visa — but only if the next flight goes to a third country or region, e.g. Los Angeles → Shanghai → Tokyo.
Round trips don't qualify
U.S. → China → U.S. is not transit. For that trip you need a Chinese visa.
Rules are set by China's National Immigration Administration and can change. Check the current rules for your passport before you travel.
Where China Eastern connects
Shanghai first, China-wide
PVG
Shanghai Pudong
International hub
SHA
Shanghai Hongqiao
Domestic & regional
PKX
Beijing Daxing
Northern China
KMG
Kunming
Southwest & Southeast Asia
XIY
Xi'an
Central & western China
Flights from the U.S. arrive at Shanghai Pudong. If your next flight leaves from Hongqiao you have to cross the city — book it on the same ticket and allow several hours, or choose a connection at Pudong.
- Mainland ChinaMost major Chinese cities.
- Japan & KoreaFrequent flights from Shanghai.
- Southeast AsiaThailand, Vietnam, Singapore and more.
- Europe & OceaniaSelected cities in Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
Cabins & fleet
What to expect on board
Flights to the U.S. use the Boeing 777-300ER with Economy and Business, plus First on some aircraft. Meals and drinks are included in every cabin on these long flights.
Long-haul
Business
- Lie-flat seat
- Lounge access
- Priority check-in and boarding
- Larger bag allowance
Some 777-300ERs
First
- Small private cabin at the front
- Dedicated check-in
- Highest bag allowance
Pack right
China Eastern baggage
Economy carry-on
1 × 8 kg
Up to 55 × 40 × 20 cm
Under-seat item
Free, all cabins
Handbag, laptop bag, camera bag or similar
Checked, Economy (U.S. routes)
Usually 2 × 23 kg
Some lower fares include one bag — shown before you pay
Checked, Business (U.S. routes)
2 × 32 kg
Piece system on routes to and from the Americas
Allowances depend on fare and route and China Eastern can change them. The exact allowance is on your e-ticket.
Eastern Miles
Earn on SkyTeam
Eastern Miles is China Eastern's frequent flyer program. Miles can be earned on China Eastern and SkyTeam partners, and eligible China Eastern flights can be credited to Delta SkyMiles instead.
Eastern MilesAdd your Eastern Miles or Delta SkyMiles number when you book.
From our travel desk
Tips for booking China Eastern
-
Plan the 240-hour stop
Flying on to Japan, Korea or Southeast Asia? A few days in Shanghai can be added without a visa.
-
Stay at one airport
Pudong to Hongqiao is a long transfer — prefer connections at Pudong.
-
Avoid Chinese holidays
Spring Festival (Jan–Feb) and Golden Week (early October) push fares up.
-
Compare with Delta
Delta sells some China Eastern flights too — the same seat can be priced differently.
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Add your loyalty number
Eastern Miles or Delta SkyMiles — add it when booking.
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Ask about phone-only fares
Our agents can sometimes access fares and routings that do not appear online.
Good to know
China Eastern FAQs
Is Search My Trip the same as China Eastern Airlines?
No. Search My Trip is an independent travel agency. We help you search, compare and book China Eastern flights, but we are not owned by or affiliated with the airline.
Which U.S. cities does China Eastern fly from?
Los Angeles (LAX) and New York (JFK), nonstop to Shanghai Pudong. Flights between the U.S. and China are limited by government agreements, so frequencies change more often than on other routes.
Do U.S. citizens need a visa for a layover in Shanghai?
Not if you stay airside. To leave the airport, U.S. passport holders can use the 240-hour visa-free transit — only when continuing to a third country or region. A round trip U.S. → China → U.S. needs a visa.
Is China Eastern in SkyTeam?
Yes, since 2011, together with Delta, Air France, KLM, Korean Air and others.
What is the C919?
A narrow-body airliner built by China's COMAC. China Eastern operated its first commercial flight in May 2023 and uses it on domestic routes.
Is it cheaper to book China Eastern over the phone?
Sometimes. Our travel experts can see phone-only fares and alternative routings. Call +1 (855) 447-1880 any time — we're available 24/7.
Talk to an expert
Flying to Asia via Shanghai?
Tell us your dates and your final destination — we will check schedules, transit rules and fares.
Search My Trip is an independent travel agency and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by China Eastern Airlines. Airline names and programme names are trademarks of their respective owners and are used here only to describe the flights we help you book. Airline policies and visa rules change, so always confirm details with the airline and official sources before you travel. Last updated 21 October 2026.
Photos via Wikimedia Commons, cropped and resized: S5A-0043 (CC BY 4.0); Tim Wu (CC BY-SA 4.0).
