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Best reviews • 8,2 score
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Airline reviews
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travellers who book at least 13 weeks in advance save around 22% compared to booking last minute.
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When to travel
Cheapest • 8% price drop
Most popular
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Cheap Flights to Shanghai

 
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent return flight deals to Shanghai

Multiple Airlines Logo
JNB  OR Tambo Airport, Johannesburg-CN2 London Canonbury
18916 kmmulti-stop
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CN2  London Canonbury-JNB OR Tambo Airport, Johannesburg
18916 kmmulti-stop
Multiple Airlines
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CPT  Cape Town Airport-CN2 London Canonbury
20852 kmmulti-stop
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CN2  London Canonbury-CPT Cape Town Airport
20852 kmmulti-stop
Multiple Airlines
Booking Insights

Price, demand, and travel trends for South Africa to Shanghai flights

Use KAYAK data on prices, travel dates, airlines, and seasonal trends to compare options and book flights from South Africa to Shanghai with more confidence.

What is the cheapest day to fly to Shanghai?

Wednesday is the cheapest day to fly to Shanghai at R13 467 return on average over the past 12 months on KAYAK. Saturday is the most expensive at R14 311.

What is the cheapest month to fly to Shanghai?

•January is the cheapest month to fly to Shanghai with an average price of R12 380 return.
•December (R15 106) and August (R14 668) are the most expensive.
•Based on KAYAK data over the past 12 months.

What is the cheapest time of day to fly to Shanghai?

Morning flights to Shanghai are the cheapest at R13 419 return on average. Night flights are the most expensive at R14 506.

When are flights to Shanghai the cheapest?

Flights to Shanghai are cheapest 13 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 22% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

Key details for flights to Shanghai

Low season

February
Best time to beat the crowds (8% less expensive on average)
Most popular time to fly (1% more expensive on average)

When to book flights to Shanghai

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel to Shanghai based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated return price

Your questions about flights to Shanghai, answered

Find helpful route details based on KAYAK data, including flight times, airports, airlines, and booking questions.

  • How do I know if a flight to Shanghai is a good deal?

    A good deal on a flight to Shanghai is around R11 994 return. This fare is in the lowest 25% of return flight prices searched on KAYAK, averaged across the cities most often searched as origins by KAYAK users.

  • Which airports serve Shanghai?

    Flights to Shanghai arrive at: Shanghai Pu Dong (PVG) and Shanghai Hongqiao Intl (SHA).

  • How expensive are last-minute flights to Shanghai?

    Last-minute fares to Shanghai – booked within 2 weeks of departure – run 14% above the average return fare of R13 521.

  • What is the difference between the most popular and the most frequent airline at Shanghai?

    Emirates operates the most flights from South Africa to Shanghai at 0 per week, while Qatar Airways is the airline most often selected by KAYAK users searching for flights from South Africa to Shanghai. The two are often different because flight volume reflects an airline's schedule, while popularity reflects traveller choice.

  • Which airports serve Shanghai and the surrounding area?

    Flights to Shanghai can arrive at several major airports serving the metro area, including Shanghai Pu Dong (PVG) and Shanghai Hongqiao Intl (SHA).

Your guide to booking Shanghai flights

From booking to airport arrival, find tips to help you plan your flight with more confidence.
  • For the best chance at a low fare to Shanghai, aim to book around 13 weeks before you fly. That window historically saves about 22% versus last-minute pricing based on KAYAK booking data over the last 12 months.
  • For flights to Shanghai, recent KAYAK data shows that stronger deals tend to be around R11 994 return. If you see a fare below that threshold, it's a good deal – book before the price climbs back up.
  • If you can choose when to go, aim to travel to Shanghai in January. Return fares historically average R12 380 that month – typically the cheapest month to travel based on the last 12 months.
  • Before you book:

    • Check the route's typical price range so you can spot a deal.
    • Confirm baggage fees and seat selection costs on budget carriers.
    • Verify whether you need any travel documents beyond an ID.
    • Pick a departure airport, since your nearest may not be the cheapest origin.
  • Shift your departure to morning to save up to R1 087 per return. Morning flights to Shanghai average R13 419 compared to R14 506 for evening flights. See the time-of-day chart above for the full breakdown.
  • Once you arrive in Shanghai, a great place to start is Oriental Pearl Tower. It is popular with first-time visitors and can give you a good feel for the area.

Reviews of the top 5 airlines flying to Shanghai

 
Need help choosing which airline to fly with to Shanghai? KAYAK airline reviews give an overall score for each airline based on loads of factors, including comfort, boarding, in-flight entertainment and more, to make your decision easier. See airline scores according to verified KAYAK customer reviews.
8,2
Singapore AirlinesOverall score based on 1608 reviews
8,1Entertainment
8,6Crew
8,0Comfort
7,8Food
8,3Boarding
Airline reviews

The A350 3-3-3 configuration is cramped and uncomfortable. The seats dig in to the contact points with your body. The aisles are now too narrow for passengers and crew to pass with ease. I was in an seat but the passenger in front was laid back for the majority of the flight meaning I had to do the same. There was a kid in the seat next to me who wriggled all night which kept waking me up. If fact there were too many kids on board - why weren't they at school? Babies crying too. It was like a Kindergarten. Singapore Airlines in barely getting above Jetstar these days. It seems to have gone downhill since merging with Air India, The evening meal of fish and noodles was average. the morning breakfast of a pie was poor. At least the alcohol flow kept some sanity. The film choice was good, but I'd already seen the good stuff on the way out. The crew are still amazing and the service set the airline apart. A shame about the packed plane with inconsiderate passengers.

6,0 GoodAnthony, Aug 2026
Read more Singapore Airlines reviews

The A350 3-3-3 configuration is cramped and uncomfortable. The seats dig in to the contact points with your body. The aisles are now too narrow for passengers and crew to pass with ease. I was in an seat but the passenger in front was laid back for the majority of the flight meaning I had to do the same. There was a kid in the seat next to me who wriggled all night which kept waking me up. If fact there were too many kids on board - why weren't they at school? Babies crying too. It was like a Kindergarten. Singapore Airlines in barely getting above Jetstar these days. It seems to have gone downhill since merging with Air India, The evening meal of fish and noodles was average. the morning breakfast of a pie was poor. At least the alcohol flow kept some sanity. The film choice was good, but I'd already seen the good stuff on the way out. The crew are still amazing and the service set the airline apart. A shame about the packed plane with inconsiderate passengers.

SQ is a market leader for good reason and its 787 this time was actually comfortable and the service top notch as always.

SQ service is great as always. However, the food quality seems to have gotten a lot worse recently.

I was in a middle seat where I felt a bit too cramped otherwise the trip was good

Horrendous. We upgraded and they took the money but cancelled one of our tickets. The recline action didn’t work on the seats for the flight from Singapore to London, pre booked meals but they seemed to have disappeared as well.. Phone customer service was horrendous. Took 5 phone calls and no fix. Craig at the airport was the only one who seemed to be able to get the ticket back.

Food could have been better. Too many passengers getting up and down all the time.

Flight from SFO did not include entertainment as it was not working the entire duration of the flight. Was informed that there would be a $350 voucher for the inconvenience. Uncertain how the voucher will be provided.

They bumped us up. They overbooked the flight and we hurried to the next flight. We are a family of 5 with 13, 10 , and 6 year olds kids. Everybody was running to the next flight. We never been exhausted in our flights hust like we have experienced this week. Mismanagement in scoot and kayak.

Wonderful service, planes and interior in great condition, very pleasant experience

The male traveller seated in the row in front diagonally opposite my husbands seat across the aisle as soon as the seatbelt sign went off moved across the aisle into the seat in front of my husband for the entire journey from London to Singapore he had his seat reclined and pushed back and the seat touching my husbands knees for the entire journey from London to Singapore. very uncomfortable for my husband.

There is an issue with A380 when it arrives in Munich, because a business class passengers like me have to wait for the first class passengers to disembark, which takes some time while you are also offloading economy passengers this causes an issue at customs where your business class passengers end up behind a large bulk of economy passengers This is a frustration and the early dislocation should be and is supposed to be a benefit of business class

This was my first time flying with Emirates. Overall, the experience was very good. I thought the seats in economy would have been a bit more comfortable, but, they seem to be on par with other airlines. The food was excellent and very satisfying. If you can afford it, I would definitely suggest upgrading to at lest premium economy seats for long haul flights.

First time and very memorable, the finest flying experience ive ever had

No Vegetarian options onboard, made to wait for a long time for boarding

The experience of the flight. The food options have definitely gone down

The internet connection did was not functioning as per normal.

The individual attention the crew gives to passengers is commendable and I find them positively helpful.

The amenities offered in the Business class is far away less compared with other Air Companies. Emirates is going down in the competition pricing the same value as Qatar airways for example.

For such a long flight I feel the spacing of seats could’ve been better to make it more comfortable for passengers. Very little space to move & stretch legs.

The flight was delayed in Jhb and I could have had some help in Dubai trying to get to my connecting flight to London

The crew were fabulous. We travelled Doha to Miami and the crew in board we exceptional too.

Qatar was pretty OK for their services but Arangrant was awful at theirs and frankly lied to me. Qatar offers four business class fares and only three of them allow lounge access. This is a horrible policy when you pay so much for business class and shame on them for denying the simple use of their lounges for this confusion. When I requested my business class ticket with Arangrant I knew this and specifically told them I would only purchase the lowest class business seat that would still permit me lounge access on all legs of my trip. They lied to me and said I did and then I was refused this service on my return flights. I had no less than 4-8 schedule changes and got screwed by a late departure from DCA on my double connection to JNB. I lost nearly a full day on my outbound and then had little to no use of the lounges on my outbound flights. To then be denied access on my return flights made the 27 hour trip home pretty awful. Kayak should no longer work with Arangrant as they are dishonest and liars. Qatar should price all four of their business class fares to include lounge access and stop the insanity they have forced on people. My return trip home nearly ruined my entire trip to South Africa and I blame Arangrant for telling me lies and for Qatar for offering insane rules and regulations on such expensive business class fares. For the money I paid to Qatar, I did not receive the full services I was promised. I will probably never use Arangrant and their ignorant services ever again. I will question whether I ever fly on Qatar Airways again as well. When you pay so much and get such little in return, it leaves a bad taste in your mouth. Arangrant gives the whole industry a bad name and Qatar is not far behind them. I can honestly say that the wretched service and way I was treated by both have soured me on travel companies and airlines. It is bad enough that we have an idiot, felon, racist and bigoted president and administration to contend with while he has started an illegal war, I did not expect to get screwed over by Arangrant and Qatar as well. Shame on all of you.

Friendly and discreet staff. Could have done with a few more offers of water/snacks overnight. Movie and tv selection notably poor. Seats not especially comfortable

I felt that when I was rerouted it should have been to business class.

Awful plane to Tashkent. Not even possible to sleep. In business class does not even recline fully

Qatar Airways did a very good job. Flights were slightly delayed with boarding but pilots made up time by arrival. The food was OK, no better or worse than other airlines. Although it would be nice to have three meals during 16 hours flight instead of two.

Moved seats, didn't accommodate requests to change seats even though other seats were available.

As gold member there is no priority checkin. Meaning you either have to board with your zone or last with business class pax. As economy pax all the baggage bays are filled by the time you arrive

The flight from Doha to Mumbai with Indigo was worst in my whole life, I had booked tickets with Qatar, but still we had to fly by Indigo , worst flight

Boarding was delayed by 2 hours since the machine that assigned boarding passes broke down and we were left waiting to drop our luggage

It was great! Kept the time. Provided what was promised

I booked and paid for a Business Class seat for myself and my wife. 4 hours before the flight i get a call saying the plane they sent doesn't have the correct layout to accommodate all the business class seats they sold me 3 months earlier at a premium of $1500 a ticket. So they have to bump me from Business to Economy and will give me a $400 credit (total of $800 for both seats) that I could turn in at Abu Dahbi for $400 in US cash. They then promised a row that we could have to ourselves and the arm rests would go up so we could spread out for each of us. My wife was taken care of but I was put in the exit row with the flight attendents set as part of the three...and the arm rest did not go up. When we got to Abu Dahbi, they would not exchange our credit for cash as promised. Very disappointed they took my money 3 months ago and refused to reimburse for the change in seats or follow the promises made.

We have paid premium price for a business class Cabinet and we have received the old 777 with the following apart business class that is not to standard. It was very disappointing and it’s a very bad reputation for a premium airline company. This aeroplane should be the commission from being as a business class. We will pass this knowledge to our colleagues because the quality of business class in Etihad is not consistent and it is a lucky dip that sometimes you’re getting a good aeroplane and sometimes you’re getting their 30 years old aeroplane. The crew of the aeroplane have apologise and said that they hate this aeroplane and they have complained about it multiple times as well. Obviously Etihad is putting the economy in front of the Customer Experience. For the future we will not take this risk anymore and will fly with established company like emirates.

Did not provided with option for class upgrade. Staff at gate was not able and willing to accommodate with class upgrade, eather with plenty empty spots in business and first class.

Stewardess was attentive and was actively roamin to check the passengers on the biz class

I had a terrible experience checking in at the airport for my flight. I booked my ticket initially through Kayak while it was promoted as a ticket that offers a carry on and 2 suit cases. (I have a screen shot as a proof of it) I selected it to buy three tickets and paid online. Couple of minutes later airfare assist which is the OTA offering the ticket called me saying My card declined. So I used a different card that went through. I was surprised that they increased the price ticket by a $167. They said the ticket no longer exists and because my card declined I had to buy a new one. So I did. The day my family and I were traveling I could not check in and when I went to the airport I was shocked to be told my ticket had no bags allowed and must pay $200 per bag for three people 6 bags mean I have to pay $1200. I called the travel agency as I feel I was scammed the confirmation didn’t say anything about the bags and they never told me the new ticket doesn’t not include any bag so they changed it after I selected it on your app without informing me. Very sneaky. The travel agency said they will reimburse me only for one bag person. Which means I still paid $600 I still feel very disappointed to pay such an expense. I have always used Kayak to buy my flight tickets and telling everyone how good your rates and app are however after this I feel I was mislead and paid more for something I should not have to. You allowing such an agency on your platform will surely hurt your reputation and level of integrity. I have all the proofs from the screen shot to the confirmation email from them, the or email offering to reimburse o e bag per person and the $1200 bag fees receipts that I paid on the desk. I must be refund the full amount and I look forward to your response.

Horrible. After paying for my seats, I was cramped, had no overhead bin space, freezing as the flight had no temperature controls, the food was awful and served cold, when asked for snacks was told to wait and then never received any. I booked this flight as a partner through American Airlines but will avoid in the future.

Extremely bad food, they never gave our bags in time, the online check-in did not let us check in because we had Indian OCI not sure why we were given the option to check in then, because we couldn’t check in online we had to go in person and we were not able to change our seats and sit with our family

Nothing was good everthing was hopeless especially your staff at indira gandhi international airport india.Everthing has deteoriated

It feels like the seat did not have any cushion and just ply wood. The seats are so compact that no one would sit comfortably. I am a slim person and it was super hard for me to move in the seat just imagine what someone else would feel. This airline would be my last option. Singapore Air and Emirates are far far far better than this. Do not travel even for free.

The following is a review for a flight from Johannesburg to Washington, DC with a connection at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and refueling landing at Rome, Italy. The flight was provided by Ethiopian Airlines. There were two of us: me and my wife on this flight. Everything was on time. Enough legroom between the seats, I was able to stretch my legs and sleep for at least some time during the 14 hour second flight (19 hours in total for both flights). Very decent meals that included two lunches and one breakfast on the flight from Addis Ababa to Washington and one lunch on the flight from Johannesburg to Addis Ababa. The lunch choices were beef, chicken and fish, I think the vegetarian option was available as well, accompanied with beans. The breakfast was a choice between egg and pancake, accompanied with a fruit salad. The egg breakfast was awesome, it came with a scrambled egg and a sausage. However, my wife mentioned unusual taste of the pancake breakfast meal, by all means those were not pancakes. What wasn't good: Externally initiated commercials on the infosystem screens, you couldn't turn the screen off. These commercials were accompanied by loud and annoying music, transmitted through the entire cabin. Obviously, there was no escape from this music as well. Additional moment: on the flight from Addis Ababa to Washington, DC, we landed at Rome for refueling. This was totally fine and it was in the flight itinerary. But, the flight attendant asked me to straighten the seat while we were at the steady position during the refueling. I can't rationalize this order except that some people just like to be a boss of some kind. Keeping the light lit in the economy cabin while keeping it dimmed in the first class also didn't improve my and my wife's feelings. Overall, the services were very good and the flight, despite its longevity, went on very smoothly.

To the Ethiopian Airlines Customer Relations Team, I am writing to formally express my disappointment regarding my recent travel experience with Ethiopian Airlines on flight [I629/352] . Unfortunately, the level of service provided fell significantly short of the standards I expected from your airline. I would like to highlight the following serious issues encountered during the journey: • Cabin Condition and Hygiene: The aircraft cabin was notably poorly maintained. The seating area was dirty, and there was a persistent, unpleasant odor throughout the flight, which made the environment very uncomfortable for passengers. • Inadequate Service: The overall level of service provided by the staff was unsatisfactory and did not reflect a professional passenger experience. • Baggage Loss: Upon arrival, I was informed that my luggage was lost. This is particularly distressing as it has caused significant personal inconvenience and disruption to my schedule. As a frequent traveler, I value reliability and a clean cabin environment. I request that you investigate these matters immediately, provide an update on the status of my missing baggage, and outline how you intend to compensate for these failures in service. I look forward to your prompt response and a resolution to my lost luggage claim. Sincerely, Puguh

Delay not posted, only departure time listed- not boarding time. We left an hour late and arrived 45 min late. Restrooms had backed up sinks and toilets not flushed ) passenger error). Lots of screen for entertainment didn’t work. But we arrived with our luggage

Food was really not appealing. There was a blocked sink in the toilet. Toilet is cramped and the wall between the 2 toilets are not secured properly.

I felt all of the food tasted the same. And we had five meals over the 16 hrs in the air.

Plane was late with no information or announcement … had to walk up n downstairs.., had not communicated this … and ppl had suitcase to carry .

There where no ear phones provided and the food needs to improve.

My entertainment screen wasn't working and they couldn't fix it.

It is just ok, the sits are very uncomfortable, the temperature too low and there weren’t blankets. The food is mediocre and there are no screens to watch movies.

I've never been served three bread courses in a single meal before. Was really impressed by the novelty of that.

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