$551 Cheap Flights from Shanghai (SHA) to Washington (DCA)

View $551 flight on Thu, Nov 27, 2025Opens in a new window

Popular airlines from Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)

Cheap Flights from Shanghai to Washington (SHA-DCA)

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $551 for one-way flights and $1,310 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

All Nippon Airways
Thu, May 14 - Tue, May 26
SHA
Shanghai
DCA
Washington
$1,310 Roundtrip, found 5 days ago
$1,310
Roundtrip
found 5 days ago
Select All Nippon Airways flight, departing Thu, May 14 from Shanghai to Washington, returning Tue, May 26, priced at $1,310 found 5 days ago
Flights from Shanghai (SHA) to Washington (DCA)
Origin airport
Hongqiao Intl.
Destination airport
Ronald Reagan Washington National
Airlines serving
Japan Airlines
Roundtrip price
$1,309
Distance
7454 mi

Shanghai to Washington Flights

The cheapest times to fly from Shanghai to Washington

On average, Thursday can be the cheapest time to fly, according to data from the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), one of the world's biggest databases for global airline sales. The data reveals that you could save up to 16% by flying on a Thursday—the cheapest day to travel on average—instead of a Sunday—the most expensive. Some of the most affordable flights from Shanghai to Washington are during the month of May. You can find some of the cheapest flights from Shanghai to Washington with Expedia's search tool and vast selection of airlines.

 

The best time to book a flight from Shanghai to Washington

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from Shanghai to Washington: Tickets reserved on a Sunday cost between 6% and 13% less than those reserved on a Friday, according to ARC data. The data also suggests booking early can also lead to cheaper airfares. You could save 24% by buying your tickets for domestic flights at least a month in advance and 10% by booking international flights 2 months in advance.

 

How to find cheap round-trip tickets from Shanghai to Washington

Being flexible with your dates and using Expedia's Price Drop Protection and Price Tracking features are some of the best ways of finding a cheap ticket from Shanghai to Washington in 2025. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from $551 one-way. Expedia also offers Price Drop Protection, so if the cost of your airfare goes down after booking, you'll receive a credit for the difference*. This is available for a small fee, and is free to One Key Gold and Platinum tier members.

 

Expedia's Price Tracking feature means you can stay on top of airfares without manually checking every day. It sends you automated price alerts for cheap Shanghai to Washington flights and uses historical data to indicate when the best time to book is. Download Expedia's free app to activate this handy tool in a few easy taps.

 

You could also save big by booking one of Expedia's vacation packages. Bundling together your Shanghai to Washington airfare with your accommodations and car rental is often cheaper than booking everything separately. There’s also One Key, Expedia's generous rewards program. Join for free and you could earn One Key cash on most bookings to save on future adventures.

 

*Terms apply.

 

Disclaimer: ARC The statistics are based on average round-trip ticket prices between January and August 2023. The percentages you see are averages.

 

Frequently asked questions

How much does a flight from Hongqiao Intl. Airport (SHA) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) cost?
Get a cheap one-way flight from $551 or cheap return flight from $1,310 from Hongqiao Intl. Airport (SHA) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) with Expedia. Enter your travel dates and sort by "Price (lowest to highest)" to see our cheapest flight deals on this route.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Hongqiao Intl. Airport (SHA) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)?
Planning your trip for May can help you save, as it's the cheapest month for flights between SHA and DCA. You'll often find the lowest fares during the off-season.
What is the cheapest airline that flies from Hongqiao Intl. Airport (SHA) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)?
Use the filters on Expedia to compare different airlines and find the most affordable carrier that'll fly you from SHA to DCA. Then, sort your results by "Price (lowest to highest)" to snag the best deal available.
How many flights per day from Hongqiao Intl. Airport (SHA) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)?
Direct flights from Hongqiao Intl. Airport (SHA) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) aren't available daily, so you'll have to take a flight with a layover. Explore your options with Expedia's filter tool. Enter your dates and click on either "1 Stop" or "2+ Stops."
What day of the week has the most flights from SHA to DCA?
Generally you'll find the largest variety of flight choices on a Friday. Tuesdays are often the quietest.* However, this can change depending on the time of year, airline and other factors.*Busiest/quietest day to travel is based on Expedia flight demand through January to December 2024.
What is the best time to fly from Hongqiao Intl. Airport (SHA) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)?
To avoid possible delays on the Hongqiao Intl. Airport (SHA) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) route, aim to fly before 3 PM. Departures after this time have a 22% higher chance of cancellation.**Most reliable time of the day and month to travel recommendation is based on January through August 2024 flight status data sourced from OAG's global flight data platform.
Is it cheaper to buy a plane ticket from Hongqiao Intl. Airport (SHA) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) last-minute?
Last-minute fares from SHA to DCA are typically more expensive. To secure the cheapest rates, start searching for flights well in advance. That said, if you're flexible with your travel dates, you may find a cheap fare right before you leave.
Is it cheaper to book a SHA to DCA flight and hotel package?
Securing a SHA to DCA flight and hotel package tends to be cheaper than booking separately. With Expedia, you can enjoy the ease of organizing your travels in one place. Select from our wide range of accommodations and then add activities, flights and car rentals to your booking. Bundle everything together, and you could save hundreds of dollars.
Can I cancel or change the date of my flight from Hongqiao Intl. Airport (SHA) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)?
If you booked your SHA to DCA flight in the last 24 hours, you may be able to modify or cancel it without fees. Depending on the airline and the type of fare you purchased, additional charges may apply for changes after that time. Airline policies and contact information can be found in your itinerary or confirmation email. Or, visit our Customer Service portal for more details.

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*Available to One Key members.