United Airlines to resume China flights on July 8
United Airlines will resume its service to Shanghai on July 8, making it the second US carrier to return to China.
The Chicago-based carrier will operate twice a week between its San Francisco hub and Shanghai Pudong (PVG) with a crew stop at Seoul Incheon (ICN). The flights will depart on Wednesdays and Saturdays and will return from Shanghai on Thursdays and Sundays.
Sign up for the free daily TPG newsletter for more aviation news.
- UA857: outbound departs San Francisco at 11 a.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays (all times local) and arrives Shanghai at 5:45 p.m. the next day. The itinerary includes a stop in Seoul.
- UA858: inbound departs Shanghai at 9:40 p.m. Thursdays and Sundays (all times local) and arrives San Francisco at 8:55 p.m. on the same day. The itinerary includes a stop in Seoul.
The flights will be operated on a Boeing 777-300ER (77W), which has 60 lie-flat Polaris business-class seats in a modified 1-2-1 configuration. However, passengers may not get the full Polaris experience that they had hoped for just yet — many airlines have still shuttered their lounges, including the Polaris Lounge in SFO. At the moment, only the United Club is open in Terminal 3 near Gate F11.
"Resuming service to Shanghai from the United States is a significant step in rebuilding our international network," Patrick Quayle, United's VP of International Network and Alliances, said in a press release.
Review: A review of United 777-300ER in Polaris business class
The carrier's Shanghai service comes after Delta had resumed its own service last Thursday from its Seattle hub. Unlike United, Delta plans to split its Shanghai routes to Seattle and Detroit. Delta's flights also include a stop in Seoul.
United is also resuming some of its other Asia-Pacific routes during July from San Francisco, such as Seoul, Hong Kong and Singapore.
Prior to the pandemic, United offered the most services to China of all U.S. carriers and the carrier seemed eager to reclaim that throne. Specifically, United was hoping to re-launch its service to Shanghai from both Newark (EWR) and San Francisco — as well as service between Beijing Capital (PEK) and San Francisco.
The airline had to swallow its ambitions, however, as the Civil Aviation Authority of China (CAAC) is only allowing two round-trip flights per week for U.S. carriers. The U.S. Department of Transportation is matching that policy at this time for Chinese carriers to "maintain the parity in scheduled passenger services," the latest update in a back-and-forth aviation spat between the countries.
United's focus on the SFO to PVG route suggests the airline's desire to recapture the lucrative Silicon Valley market, as reports have shown that Apple alone used to buy 50 business class seats on that very route every day.
Despite the resumptions, passenger traffic on the routes is still expected to be limited. Foreign nationals remain prohibited from entering China, and the U.S. government is forbidding entry for anyone who has visited China within the 14 days prior to departure — though U.S. citizens and green card holders are exempt.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees