Los Angeles to Shanghai Flight Distance
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
Primary sources · 6
- [1] Vincenty (1975) — Direct and Inverse Solutions of Geodesics on the Ellipsoid — the iterative formula used for distance · Survey Review XXIII (176), pp. 88–93 · April 1975 https://www.ngs.noaa.gov/PUBS_LIB/inverse.pdf
- [2] NGA.STND.0036_1.0.0_WGS84 — WGS-84 reference ellipsoid (a = 6,378,137 m, 1/f = 298.257223563) · NGA Standard · July 2014 https://earth-info.nga.mil/index.php?dir=wgs84&action=wgs84
- [3] DESNZ 2024 conversion factors — Per-km kg CO₂e factors for the three distance bands and four cabin classes · UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero · June 2024 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/greenhouse-gas-reporting-conversion-factors-2024
- [4] Lee et al. (2021) — Effective radiative forcing of aviation — the science behind the 1.9 × CO₂ → CO₂e uplift · Atmospheric Environment 244, 117834 · January 2021 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2020.117834
- [5] OpenFlights — Airport coordinates and IATA codes · openflights.org/data.php · Community-maintained https://openflights.org/data.php
- [6] Sack (2010) — Jet-lag review — clinical chronobiology and asymmetric recovery rates · New England Journal of Medicine 362:440 · February 2010 https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMcp0909838
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Your Route Summary
What This Means For Your Trip
Flight Duration: At 6,485 miles, this long-haul flight will take approximately 13h 7m. Plan for a substantial flight with meals, entertainment, and rest time.
Time Adjustment: Shanghai is 15 hours ahead of Los Angeles. Prepare for significant jet lag. Allow 12+ days for recovery and avoid scheduling important meetings on arrival day.
Environmental Impact: An economy class seat produces approximately 1565 kg of CO2. Consider carbon offset programs—planting 142 trees could offset this flight.
Flight Options: 7 airlines serve this route, giving you options for schedule and price comparison.
Complete Flight Analysis
| Metric | Value | Category / Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Distance (Miles) | 6,485 mi | Primary frequent flyer unit |
| Distance (Kilometers) | 10,436 km | International standard |
| Distance (Nautical Miles) | 5,635 nm | Aviation standard |
| Flight Time | 13h 7m | Based on 850 km/h cruise + ground time |
| Route Classification | LONG HAUL | Long-haul flight (4,000 - 12,000 km) |
| Flight Direction | 312° NW | Northwest |
| Cruising Altitude | 41,000 ft | FL410 (12,497 m) |
| Time Difference | +15h | Jet lag: severe |
| CO2 (Economy) | 1565 kg | DEFRA 2024 factors |
| CO2 (Business) | 4540 kg | 2.9x economy |
| CO2 (First Class) | 6262 kg | 4x economy |
| Trees to Offset | 142 | Economy class, per passenger |
| Fuel per Passenger | 313 L | ~56,340 L total (180 pax) |
| Operating Airlines | 7 | Direct flights available |
Tips for This Route
Los Angeles International Airport
Los Angeles, United States
Shanghai Pudong International Airport
Shanghai, China
Airlines Flying This Route
7 airlines operate flights between Los Angeles and Shanghai.
Flight Details
Flight Midpoint
The geographic midpoint of this flight is located at:
Carbon Emissions by Cabin Class
CO2 emissions vary by cabin class due to seat space allocation. Based on DEFRA 2024 emission factors.
Jet Lag & Travel Tips
- Consider a stopover to break up the journey
- Use melatonin supplements (consult doctor first)
- Plan light activities for first few days
- Expose yourself to daylight at appropriate times
- Avoid important meetings on arrival day
Seat Recommendations
Distance in Perspective
Distance & Speed Reference
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Statute Miles | 6,485 mi |
| Kilometers | 10,436 km |
| Nautical Miles | 5,635 nm |
| Meters | 10,436,000 m |
| Feet | 34,240,800 ft |
| Flight Time (850 km/h) | 13h 7m |
Travel Speed Comparison
How long would it take to cover the 10,436 km between Los Angeles and Shanghai at different speeds?
| Mode | Speed | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Jet | 850 km/h | 13h 7m |
| Turboprop Aircraft | 500 km/h | 20h 52m |
| Bullet Train | 320 km/h | 32h 37m |
| Car (highway) | 100 km/h | 104h 22m |
| Walking | 5 km/h | 2,087h (87 days) |
| Speed of Sound | 1,235 km/h | 8h 27m |
Round Trip Summary
Quick Facts
Routes from LAX
View all routesFrequently Asked Questions
How far is Los Angeles from Shanghai?
The flight distance from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) is 6,485 miles (10,436 km). This is the great circle distance calculated using the Vincenty formula.
How long is the flight?
A direct flight takes approximately 13h 7m. This is a long-haul flight typically cruising at 41,000 feet (FL410).
What is the time difference?
Shanghai is 15 hours ahead of Los Angeles. Expect severe jet lag with ~12 days recovery time.
What airlines fly this route?
7 airlines operate this route: Air China, American Airlines, China Eastern Airlines and 4 more.
What is the carbon footprint?
Economy class: 1565 kg CO2 per passenger. Business class: 4540 kg. First class: 6262 kg. Offset with ~142 trees.
Which seat side is best?
For this Northwest flight, the right side offers the best views away from sun glare. Consider an aisle seat for easier movement on this long flight.
Can I drive from Los Angeles to Shanghai instead of flying?
Driving is not practical for this 10,436 km distance, especially across international borders. It would theoretically take over 130 hours of driving. Flying at 13h 7m is the recommended option.
What aircraft typically fly this route?
This long-haul route is typically served by Boeing 777, Airbus A350, Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. Wide-body aircraft are standard for this distance, offering more comfort for the longer journey.
How can I offset the carbon from this flight?
An economy class seat on this route produces 1565 kg CO2. You can offset this by planting approximately 142 trees, purchasing verified carbon credits through programs like Gold Standard or Verra, or supporting renewable energy projects. Many airlines also offer built-in carbon offset options during booking.
External Resources & References
Learn more about the airports, aviation data, and carbon emissions methodology used in this calculation.