United Airlines to Resume Shanghai Service

United Airlines this week announced it will resume twice-weekly service between San Francisco and Shanghai’s Pudong International Airport, beginning July 8, more than three months after halting the service due to COVID-19. 

United will operate the flights from San Francisco on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with return flights scheduled from Shanghai launching on Thursdays and Sundays.

“United’s service to mainland China has been a point of pride for our employees and customers for more than 30 years,” said Patrick Quayle, United’s vice president of International Network and Alliances. “Resuming service to Shanghai from the United States is a significant step in rebuilding our international network.”

The airline suspended service to Shanghai back in February due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and prior to that United was the largest U.S. carrier to service the Chinese market, operating five daily flights between Shanghai and its hubs in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago and New York/Newark for more than 30 years.

In addition to the returning Shanghai service, United will also reintroduce several popular pacific routes, including service to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport from Chicago, service to Hong Kong and flights to Singapore, scheduled to relaunch in July.

United joins Delta Air Lines in restarting service between the U.S. and China this month. United, Delta, and American Airlines are all resuming service to Japan and South Korea.