Find flights
When to book
Airlines
FAQs

Cheap flights from the United Arab Emirates to Shanghai, China

DXB — SHA
28 Oct — 4 Nov1
1 adult
1 adult, Economy, 0 bags

Find flight deals from United Arab Emirates to Shanghai

Popular in

May

Cheapest in

March

Average price

AED 2,725
Highest demand for flights based on searches. 27% potential increase in price (AED 4,167 potential increase over avg. return price).
Search Deals
Cheapest flight prices on average. 5% potential price decrease (AED 578 potential savings vs. average return price).
Search Deals
Average for round-trip flights in September 2026
Search Deals

Cheapflights Insights

Everything you need to know about your flight from the United Arab Emirates to Shanghai

How far ahead should I book a flight from United Arab Emirates to Shanghai?

Booking 67 days in advance of your planned departure date is, on average, the best time to get cheap flights from United Arab Emirates to Shanghai. The general trend is that the closer you book to the departure date, the more expensive your flight will be.

What is the cheapest month to book a flight from United Arab Emirates to Shanghai?

Currently, January is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from United Arab Emirates to Shanghai (average of AED 1,576). Flying from United Arab Emirates to Shanghai in May is currently the most expensive (average of AED 3,959). There are several factors that can impact the price of a flight, so comparing airlines, departure airports and flight times can provide users with more options.

What is the cheapest time of day to fly from AE to SHA?

When flying from United Arab Emirates to Shanghai, the time of day you decide to fly out makes little to no difference towards the overall price you’ll pay on tickets.

Reviews of airlines servicing Shanghai

Get a feel of what it's like to fly with Emirates,Air China, andEtihad Airways from the United Arab Emirates to Shanghai by reading reviews from past customers. Users have also rated airlines in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.
Emirates
8.1
Very Good
3,665 reviews
Check prices

Overall

8.1

Comfort

8.0

Food

7.9

Boarding

8.2

Crew

8.4

Entertainment

8.2

Reviews

1 / 20
4.0
Okay

Milind,Aug 2026

DXB - SFO

Subject: Disappointing Experience Relative to Your Premium Brand I chose your airline because of its reputation as a premium carrier and was willing to pay a significant premium for that experience. Unfortunately, several aspects of my journey fell well short of the standard I expected. Airport Experience At check-in, I was initially directed to the regular line and then told to move to the U.S. line, resulting in unnecessary delays and confusion. I attempted to purchase a Business Class upgrade for my wife, who was traveling in Premium Economy. I was directed to a reservations desk that was unattended. After searching for another service window and waiting approximately 15 minutes, I eventually gave up. This was a frustrating experience that should have been much easier to navigate. Onboard Experience The lounge experience was excellent and is one of the highlights of the journey. Once onboard, I tried again to upgrade my wife to Business Class. I was quoted approximately $1,500 for a single flight segment, which was difficult to justify. What was even more frustrating was discovering later that several Business Class seats remained empty. It seems counterproductive to let seats go unused rather than offer a more reasonable last-minute upgrade option. Had the price been more aligned with market realities, my wife could have traveled with me in Business Class and both the airline and the customer would have benefited. The inflight entertainment was disappointing. The quality of the system and the selection of English-language movies were well below what I would expect from a premium international airline. I spent much of the flight unable to find suitable content. During the final meal service before landing, I was never offered a meal despite being awake and attentive. While I have no doubt the crew would have provided one had I specifically requested it, I do not believe customers should have to ask to receive a standard meal service. What Worked Well The chauffeur/car pickup service at all locations was excellent and consistently met expectations. The lounge experience was also very good. Loyalty Program One factor that makes it difficult for me to remain loyal is that your frequent flyer program is not integrated into one of the major global mileage ecosystems in the same way airlines such as United participate in broader alliances. Given your premium pricing and limited route network relative to larger carriers, consolidating miles and status benefits across multiple airlines is an important consideration for travelers like me. Overall Impression This was not an inexpensive trip. In fact, given recent geopolitical concerns in the region, choosing this routing required a degree of trust and willingness to accept additional travel risk. Unfortunately, the overall experience did not justify either the premium price or that trust. When I combine the airport issues, upgrade frustrations, entertainment shortcomings, missed meal service, and loyalty limitations, I cannot say I received the level of experience your brand promises. As things stand today, I am unlikely to choose your airline again, and my wife is already encouraging me to consider alternatives for my next international trip in December. I share this feedback because I believe your airline has the potential to deliver a truly exceptional experience, but this journey fell significantly short of that expectation.
Emirates
8.1
Very Good
3,665 reviews
Emirates
8.1
Very Good
3,665 reviews
Check prices

Overall

8.1

Comfort

8.0

Food

7.9

Boarding

8.2

Crew

8.4

Entertainment

8.2

Reviews

1 / 20
4.0
Okay

Milind,Aug 2026

DXB - SFO

Subject: Disappointing Experience Relative to Your Premium Brand I chose your airline because of its reputation as a premium carrier and was willing to pay a significant premium for that experience. Unfortunately, several aspects of my journey fell well short of the standard I expected. Airport Experience At check-in, I was initially directed to the regular line and then told to move to the U.S. line, resulting in unnecessary delays and confusion. I attempted to purchase a Business Class upgrade for my wife, who was traveling in Premium Economy. I was directed to a reservations desk that was unattended. After searching for another service window and waiting approximately 15 minutes, I eventually gave up. This was a frustrating experience that should have been much easier to navigate. Onboard Experience The lounge experience was excellent and is one of the highlights of the journey. Once onboard, I tried again to upgrade my wife to Business Class. I was quoted approximately $1,500 for a single flight segment, which was difficult to justify. What was even more frustrating was discovering later that several Business Class seats remained empty. It seems counterproductive to let seats go unused rather than offer a more reasonable last-minute upgrade option. Had the price been more aligned with market realities, my wife could have traveled with me in Business Class and both the airline and the customer would have benefited. The inflight entertainment was disappointing. The quality of the system and the selection of English-language movies were well below what I would expect from a premium international airline. I spent much of the flight unable to find suitable content. During the final meal service before landing, I was never offered a meal despite being awake and attentive. While I have no doubt the crew would have provided one had I specifically requested it, I do not believe customers should have to ask to receive a standard meal service. What Worked Well The chauffeur/car pickup service at all locations was excellent and consistently met expectations. The lounge experience was also very good. Loyalty Program One factor that makes it difficult for me to remain loyal is that your frequent flyer program is not integrated into one of the major global mileage ecosystems in the same way airlines such as United participate in broader alliances. Given your premium pricing and limited route network relative to larger carriers, consolidating miles and status benefits across multiple airlines is an important consideration for travelers like me. Overall Impression This was not an inexpensive trip. In fact, given recent geopolitical concerns in the region, choosing this routing required a degree of trust and willingness to accept additional travel risk. Unfortunately, the overall experience did not justify either the premium price or that trust. When I combine the airport issues, upgrade frustrations, entertainment shortcomings, missed meal service, and loyalty limitations, I cannot say I received the level of experience your brand promises. As things stand today, I am unlikely to choose your airline again, and my wife is already encouraging me to consider alternatives for my next international trip in December. I share this feedback because I believe your airline has the potential to deliver a truly exceptional experience, but this journey fell significantly short of that expectation.
Air China
7.5
Good
166 reviews
Emirates
8.1
Very Good
3,665 reviews
Check prices

Overall

8.1

Comfort

8.0

Food

7.9

Boarding

8.2

Crew

8.4

Entertainment

8.2

Reviews

1 / 20
4.0
Okay

Milind,Aug 2026

DXB - SFO

Subject: Disappointing Experience Relative to Your Premium Brand I chose your airline because of its reputation as a premium carrier and was willing to pay a significant premium for that experience. Unfortunately, several aspects of my journey fell well short of the standard I expected. Airport Experience At check-in, I was initially directed to the regular line and then told to move to the U.S. line, resulting in unnecessary delays and confusion. I attempted to purchase a Business Class upgrade for my wife, who was traveling in Premium Economy. I was directed to a reservations desk that was unattended. After searching for another service window and waiting approximately 15 minutes, I eventually gave up. This was a frustrating experience that should have been much easier to navigate. Onboard Experience The lounge experience was excellent and is one of the highlights of the journey. Once onboard, I tried again to upgrade my wife to Business Class. I was quoted approximately $1,500 for a single flight segment, which was difficult to justify. What was even more frustrating was discovering later that several Business Class seats remained empty. It seems counterproductive to let seats go unused rather than offer a more reasonable last-minute upgrade option. Had the price been more aligned with market realities, my wife could have traveled with me in Business Class and both the airline and the customer would have benefited. The inflight entertainment was disappointing. The quality of the system and the selection of English-language movies were well below what I would expect from a premium international airline. I spent much of the flight unable to find suitable content. During the final meal service before landing, I was never offered a meal despite being awake and attentive. While I have no doubt the crew would have provided one had I specifically requested it, I do not believe customers should have to ask to receive a standard meal service. What Worked Well The chauffeur/car pickup service at all locations was excellent and consistently met expectations. The lounge experience was also very good. Loyalty Program One factor that makes it difficult for me to remain loyal is that your frequent flyer program is not integrated into one of the major global mileage ecosystems in the same way airlines such as United participate in broader alliances. Given your premium pricing and limited route network relative to larger carriers, consolidating miles and status benefits across multiple airlines is an important consideration for travelers like me. Overall Impression This was not an inexpensive trip. In fact, given recent geopolitical concerns in the region, choosing this routing required a degree of trust and willingness to accept additional travel risk. Unfortunately, the overall experience did not justify either the premium price or that trust. When I combine the airport issues, upgrade frustrations, entertainment shortcomings, missed meal service, and loyalty limitations, I cannot say I received the level of experience your brand promises. As things stand today, I am unlikely to choose your airline again, and my wife is already encouraging me to consider alternatives for my next international trip in December. I share this feedback because I believe your airline has the potential to deliver a truly exceptional experience, but this journey fell significantly short of that expectation.
Etihad Airways
7.3
Good
1,540 reviews
Emirates
8.1
Very Good
3,665 reviews
Check prices

Overall

8.1

Comfort

8.0

Food

7.9

Boarding

8.2

Crew

8.4

Entertainment

8.2

Reviews

1 / 20
4.0
Okay

Milind,Aug 2026

DXB - SFO

Subject: Disappointing Experience Relative to Your Premium Brand I chose your airline because of its reputation as a premium carrier and was willing to pay a significant premium for that experience. Unfortunately, several aspects of my journey fell well short of the standard I expected. Airport Experience At check-in, I was initially directed to the regular line and then told to move to the U.S. line, resulting in unnecessary delays and confusion. I attempted to purchase a Business Class upgrade for my wife, who was traveling in Premium Economy. I was directed to a reservations desk that was unattended. After searching for another service window and waiting approximately 15 minutes, I eventually gave up. This was a frustrating experience that should have been much easier to navigate. Onboard Experience The lounge experience was excellent and is one of the highlights of the journey. Once onboard, I tried again to upgrade my wife to Business Class. I was quoted approximately $1,500 for a single flight segment, which was difficult to justify. What was even more frustrating was discovering later that several Business Class seats remained empty. It seems counterproductive to let seats go unused rather than offer a more reasonable last-minute upgrade option. Had the price been more aligned with market realities, my wife could have traveled with me in Business Class and both the airline and the customer would have benefited. The inflight entertainment was disappointing. The quality of the system and the selection of English-language movies were well below what I would expect from a premium international airline. I spent much of the flight unable to find suitable content. During the final meal service before landing, I was never offered a meal despite being awake and attentive. While I have no doubt the crew would have provided one had I specifically requested it, I do not believe customers should have to ask to receive a standard meal service. What Worked Well The chauffeur/car pickup service at all locations was excellent and consistently met expectations. The lounge experience was also very good. Loyalty Program One factor that makes it difficult for me to remain loyal is that your frequent flyer program is not integrated into one of the major global mileage ecosystems in the same way airlines such as United participate in broader alliances. Given your premium pricing and limited route network relative to larger carriers, consolidating miles and status benefits across multiple airlines is an important consideration for travelers like me. Overall Impression This was not an inexpensive trip. In fact, given recent geopolitical concerns in the region, choosing this routing required a degree of trust and willingness to accept additional travel risk. Unfortunately, the overall experience did not justify either the premium price or that trust. When I combine the airport issues, upgrade frustrations, entertainment shortcomings, missed meal service, and loyalty limitations, I cannot say I received the level of experience your brand promises. As things stand today, I am unlikely to choose your airline again, and my wife is already encouraging me to consider alternatives for my next international trip in December. I share this feedback because I believe your airline has the potential to deliver a truly exceptional experience, but this journey fell significantly short of that expectation.
China Southern
7.3
Good
172 reviews
Emirates
8.1
Very Good
3,665 reviews
Check prices

Overall

8.1

Comfort

8.0

Food

7.9

Boarding

8.2

Crew

8.4

Entertainment

8.2

Reviews

1 / 20
4.0
Okay

Milind,Aug 2026

DXB - SFO

Subject: Disappointing Experience Relative to Your Premium Brand I chose your airline because of its reputation as a premium carrier and was willing to pay a significant premium for that experience. Unfortunately, several aspects of my journey fell well short of the standard I expected. Airport Experience At check-in, I was initially directed to the regular line and then told to move to the U.S. line, resulting in unnecessary delays and confusion. I attempted to purchase a Business Class upgrade for my wife, who was traveling in Premium Economy. I was directed to a reservations desk that was unattended. After searching for another service window and waiting approximately 15 minutes, I eventually gave up. This was a frustrating experience that should have been much easier to navigate. Onboard Experience The lounge experience was excellent and is one of the highlights of the journey. Once onboard, I tried again to upgrade my wife to Business Class. I was quoted approximately $1,500 for a single flight segment, which was difficult to justify. What was even more frustrating was discovering later that several Business Class seats remained empty. It seems counterproductive to let seats go unused rather than offer a more reasonable last-minute upgrade option. Had the price been more aligned with market realities, my wife could have traveled with me in Business Class and both the airline and the customer would have benefited. The inflight entertainment was disappointing. The quality of the system and the selection of English-language movies were well below what I would expect from a premium international airline. I spent much of the flight unable to find suitable content. During the final meal service before landing, I was never offered a meal despite being awake and attentive. While I have no doubt the crew would have provided one had I specifically requested it, I do not believe customers should have to ask to receive a standard meal service. What Worked Well The chauffeur/car pickup service at all locations was excellent and consistently met expectations. The lounge experience was also very good. Loyalty Program One factor that makes it difficult for me to remain loyal is that your frequent flyer program is not integrated into one of the major global mileage ecosystems in the same way airlines such as United participate in broader alliances. Given your premium pricing and limited route network relative to larger carriers, consolidating miles and status benefits across multiple airlines is an important consideration for travelers like me. Overall Impression This was not an inexpensive trip. In fact, given recent geopolitical concerns in the region, choosing this routing required a degree of trust and willingness to accept additional travel risk. Unfortunately, the overall experience did not justify either the premium price or that trust. When I combine the airport issues, upgrade frustrations, entertainment shortcomings, missed meal service, and loyalty limitations, I cannot say I received the level of experience your brand promises. As things stand today, I am unlikely to choose your airline again, and my wife is already encouraging me to consider alternatives for my next international trip in December. I share this feedback because I believe your airline has the potential to deliver a truly exceptional experience, but this journey fell significantly short of that expectation.
China Eastern
7.3
Good
244 reviews
Emirates
8.1
Very Good
3,665 reviews
Check prices

Overall

8.1

Comfort

8.0

Food

7.9

Boarding

8.2

Crew

8.4

Entertainment

8.2

Reviews

1 / 20
4.0
Okay

Milind,Aug 2026

DXB - SFO

Subject: Disappointing Experience Relative to Your Premium Brand I chose your airline because of its reputation as a premium carrier and was willing to pay a significant premium for that experience. Unfortunately, several aspects of my journey fell well short of the standard I expected. Airport Experience At check-in, I was initially directed to the regular line and then told to move to the U.S. line, resulting in unnecessary delays and confusion. I attempted to purchase a Business Class upgrade for my wife, who was traveling in Premium Economy. I was directed to a reservations desk that was unattended. After searching for another service window and waiting approximately 15 minutes, I eventually gave up. This was a frustrating experience that should have been much easier to navigate. Onboard Experience The lounge experience was excellent and is one of the highlights of the journey. Once onboard, I tried again to upgrade my wife to Business Class. I was quoted approximately $1,500 for a single flight segment, which was difficult to justify. What was even more frustrating was discovering later that several Business Class seats remained empty. It seems counterproductive to let seats go unused rather than offer a more reasonable last-minute upgrade option. Had the price been more aligned with market realities, my wife could have traveled with me in Business Class and both the airline and the customer would have benefited. The inflight entertainment was disappointing. The quality of the system and the selection of English-language movies were well below what I would expect from a premium international airline. I spent much of the flight unable to find suitable content. During the final meal service before landing, I was never offered a meal despite being awake and attentive. While I have no doubt the crew would have provided one had I specifically requested it, I do not believe customers should have to ask to receive a standard meal service. What Worked Well The chauffeur/car pickup service at all locations was excellent and consistently met expectations. The lounge experience was also very good. Loyalty Program One factor that makes it difficult for me to remain loyal is that your frequent flyer program is not integrated into one of the major global mileage ecosystems in the same way airlines such as United participate in broader alliances. Given your premium pricing and limited route network relative to larger carriers, consolidating miles and status benefits across multiple airlines is an important consideration for travelers like me. Overall Impression This was not an inexpensive trip. In fact, given recent geopolitical concerns in the region, choosing this routing required a degree of trust and willingness to accept additional travel risk. Unfortunately, the overall experience did not justify either the premium price or that trust. When I combine the airport issues, upgrade frustrations, entertainment shortcomings, missed meal service, and loyalty limitations, I cannot say I received the level of experience your brand promises. As things stand today, I am unlikely to choose your airline again, and my wife is already encouraging me to consider alternatives for my next international trip in December. I share this feedback because I believe your airline has the potential to deliver a truly exceptional experience, but this journey fell significantly short of that expectation.

Related info for your journey

  • What are the cheapest airlines to fly from United Arab Emirates to Shanghai one-way?

    The cheapest airline one-way is China Southern, with whom users have recently found tickets for as low as AED 697. However, be on the lookout for offers from Air China and China Eastern, as they are both options that can get you from United Arab Emirates to Shanghai for a low price.

  • What are the most popular routes from United Arab Emirates to Shanghai?

    Most travellers choose Dubai Intl - Shanghai Hongqiao Intl, Abu Dhabi Zayed Intl - Shanghai Hongqiao Intl or Dubai Intl - Shanghai Pu Dong when deciding on the best route from United Arab Emirates to Shanghai.

  • Can I find deals for flights from United Arab Emirates to Shanghai that include hotel bookings?

    Yes. In addition to deals on United Arab Emirates to Shanghai flights, Cheapflights offers holiday packages that include both flights and hotel.

  • How can I find direct flights from United Arab Emirates to Shanghai?

    After entering your origin and destination, apply the non-stop filter on the search result page to find direct flights from United Arab Emirates to Shanghai.

  • Can I find deals for business class flights from United Arab Emirates to Shanghai?

    Yes. Cheapflights offers flight deals from United Arab Emirates to Shanghai by cabin class. In addition to browsing deals, you can also filter by cabin class on the search results page after making a search.

  • What is the cheapest month to book a flight from United Arab Emirates to Shanghai?

    Currently, January is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from United Arab Emirates to Shanghai (average of AED 1,576). Flying from United Arab Emirates to Shanghai in May is currently the most expensive (average of AED 3,959). There are several factors that can impact the price of a flight, so comparing airlines, departure airports and flight times can provide users with more options.

See more FAQs

Browse thousands of different options on Cheapflights for your next trip

Alternative routes for United Arab Emirates to Shanghai

Dubai to Hongqiao Intl flights
Abu Dhabi to Hongqiao Intl flights
Dubai to Pu Dong flights
Abu Dhabi to Pu Dong flights

Top 6 airlines flying from United Arab Emirates to Shanghai

AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
China EasternCheapestAED 812AverageAED 1,993FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time62%
Search China Eastern flights
China SouthernCheapestAED 961AverageAED 1,521FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time69%
Search China Southern flights
Air ChinaCheapestAED 1,169AverageAED 1,904FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time67%
Search Air China flights
EmiratesCheapestAED 1,225AverageAED 3,895FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time75%
Search Emirates flights
Cathay PacificCheapestAED 1,364AverageAED 1,645FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time72%
Search Cathay Pacific flights
Etihad AirwaysCheapestAED 1,440AverageAED 3,574FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time75%
Search Etihad Airways flights

Fly with Cheapflights

How does Cheapflights help users find flights from United Arab Emirates to Shanghai?

900+ travel sites are searched through when a user searches for a flight using Cheapflights. From the search interface, users can use filters to choose airlines, airports, flight times, cabin classes and more to their preference. Book your flight to Shanghai from United Arab Emirates today with Cheapflights!

Why should you use Cheapflights to find cheap flight tickets from United Arab Emirates to Shanghai?

Cheapflights helps you find that perfect flight to Shanghai from United Arab Emirates by searching from hundreds of airlines and agencies you know and love. We are also free to use, in case you were wondering!

Can Cheapflights find flights from United Arab Emirates to Shanghai with no change fees?

Yes! Cheapflights helps users easily find flights from United Arab Emirates to Shanghai with no change fees.

Can Cheapflights notify me if prices for flights from United Arab Emirates to Shanghai become cheaper?

Yes! Start tracking prices for United Arab Emirates to Shanghai flights today and get alerted whenever prices for these flights change. To access this feature, click the bell icon next to the flight deals above, which will prompt you for a valid email address to receive your alerts.

100% Free

Cheapflights is completely free to use, so you can start saving the moment you arrive.

Book With Flexibility

Our users can plan ahead with confidence and find flights with no change fees.

Travel Smart

Millions of people come to us for their flight needs every year. We help make travel planning easy by providing useful insights and data-driven graphs that can inform your decisions.