$332 Find Cheap Flights from China to California

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KAYAK searches hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to California

 
These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results for flights to California
These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results for flights to California
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Booking Insights

KAYAK's insights & trends for flights to California

Get data-powered insights and trends for flights to California to help you find the cheapest flights, the best time to fly and much more.

What is the cheapest flight to California?

These are the best round-trip prices found by users searching on KAYAK in the last 72 hours.

The cheapest ticket to California from China found in the last 72 hours was to Los Angeles, at $507 round-trip. The most popular route is Guangzhou (CAN) to Los Angeles (LAX) and the cheapest round-trip airline ticket found on this route in the last 72 hours was $507.

What is the cheapest month to fly from China to California?

To calculate monthly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each month over the last year for flights from China to California, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the median of all values for each month.

The cheapest month for flights from China to California is September, when tickets cost $662 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are January and August, when the average cost of round-trip tickets is $1,107 and $1,029 respectively.

How far in advance should I book a flight from China to California?

To calculate weekly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each week before departure over the last year for round-trip flights to California, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the average of all the values for each week.

To get a below average price on the flight from China to California, you should book around 3 weeks before departure, which saves you about 13% compared to booking last minute. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 18 weeks before departure.

Which is the cheapest airport to fly into in California?

Prices will differ depending on the departure airport, but generally, the cheapest airport to fly to in California is Los Angeles Airport (LAX), with an average flight price of $650.

Good to know

Low seasonAugust
Cheapest flight$332
Best time to beat the crowds but there is an average 24% increase in price.
Most popular time to fly with an average 28% increase in price.
Flight from Shanghai Pudong Airport to Los Angeles

Flights from China to California: the best tips from KAYAK users

Insights shared by verified travelers who flew the route from China to California 
Verified travelerFlew with China SouthernCAN-LAXOct 2024
Wear comfy shoes it is a long flight. If you can try to get a window seat cause the middle seat is super uncomfortable. But the flight is amazing and even though it is a long flight I had fun
Verified travelerFlew with Sichuan AirlinesTFU-LAXAug 2024
1. Make sure the passport information has been correctly recorded with the ticket, otherwise you will not be able to pass custom/security at China. Ticket purchased overseas often misses such info. 2. Arrive at the airport early. 3+ hours would be my recommendation.
Verified travelerFlew with China SouthernWUH-SFOJun 2024
Monitor flight information closely in case unexpected cancelation. Other than that, everything was good.

FAQs for booking flights from China to California

  • How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from China to California?

    KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can find for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights from China to California.

  • How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket from China to California?

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight from China to California is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.

  • What is the Hacker Fare option on flights from China to California?

    Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional round-trip ticket. You could then fly from China to California with an airline and back with another airline.

  • What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from China to California?

    Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying from China to California up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

  • What is the cheapest day to fly to California?

    Based on KAYAK data, the cheapest day to fly to California is Tuesday where round-trip tickets can be as cheap as $1,151. On the other hand, the most expensive day to fly is Sunday, where round-trip prices are $1,290 on average.

  • What is the cheapest time of day to fly to California?

    The cheapest time of day to fly to California is generally in the evening, when round-trip flights cost $1,024 on average. Morning departures are around 10% more expensive than evening flights, on average. The most expensive time of day to fly to California is generally in the afternoon, which is peak travel time and where the average cost of a ticket is $1,507.

Reviews of the top 5 airlines serving from China to California

 
See real verified KAYAK customer reviews for airlines flying to California. Airline scores are aggregated from all reviews left by passengers on KAYAK after flying with an airline from China to California. KAYAK doesn’t show reviews that are older than 5 years. Learn how KAYAK collects reviews.
Need help choosing which airline to fly with from China to California? 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.
8.4
Korean AirOverall score based on 1155 reviews
8.2Entertainment
8.5Boarding
8.1Food
8.7Crew
8.3Comfort
Airline reviews

It’s great, long flight and arrive safe at destination

10.0 ExcellentAye, Oct 2025ICN - MSP
Read more Korean Air reviews

It’s great, long flight and arrive safe at destination

Everything was excellent as I expected. They also had a very caring crew. I had a headache and asked a Tylenol. The crew members kept checking with me how I was doing.

They were trying to get people to check luggage because the over head compartments were full but when we boarded there were lots of empty places that people could have put the luggage.

I can't believe they put my wife and I in the two middle seats! It is a very long flight and we had single flyers on either side of us blocking the way to the bathroom! There's no reason to not give one of us the isle seat so we could have managed bathroom needs and snacks with convenience. So I think very poorly of Korean air to put us both in the middle, I've never had that happen before and will probably avoid this airline in the future because of this. We tried to have them change it but they didn't so you pretty much lost a customer because of it.

One of the flight attendants stepped on my foot. I was on the aisle seat. A lady inside needed to get out. So Instood. Just then, a flight attentendant came wuicklybtheoughbthe aisle and stepprd on my sock covered toes. I let out a small sound. She stopped momentarily, but didn’t ask how I was just took off of the aisle. Never came back to see how I was. Fortunately, I was not really hurt other than a slight soreness in my toes. But I found that to be very negligent.

Korean Air is unlike any other major airline I have flown with. The grace and respect that the staff has from check in to de-boarding is unmatched. The flight attendants this time were especially wonderful to my five little children. They helped us rearrange to more suitable seating, brought our children’s meals, and patiently waited for them in the aisles when they had to use the bathroom. We felt so welcome and comfortable. I really appreciate the meal voucher when our flight was delayed. I am grateful to have had such an stress-free experience.

It's good overall. Flight was packed. Inflight entertainment choices were lacking.

They were very accommodating of a dietary issue. Nice movie & tv selections. Non-stop helped get through a very long (15 hr) flight

Great except for the delay in Korea. Korean Air did a great job setting up a hotel for the night. I also needed assistance with a wheelchair and they were outstanding.

The flight was on time and very quick, as expected, but the leg room isn't great in coach seats.

Better screens, it would have been nice to have more comfortable seats.

2nd major delay due to maintenance issues. 1st delay missed my connecting flight.

It was great, but my bag was not loaded onto the connecting flight. I'm currently getting it resolved. If this isn't a problem, everything else was excellent.

Very clean ,flight attendants very professional,nice , Boarding was very easy

The aircraft was massive (A-380) and became crowded with 400+ passengers on board.

The plane hasnt left im stuck in seatle still my flight has been grounded for almost 5 hours

My luggage didn’t arrive with my flight. Flight was delayed by nearly 2 hours while we sat on the plane and I almost missed my connecting flight and subsequently missed the last train from the airport so it took me another 2 hours to get to my destination after arriving, Crew skipped me several times when offering beverages, and I couldn’t get their attention at times because they wouldn’t even make eye contact with me. They didn’t give me a form for disembarking so I had to go to the back of the line after waiting an eternity for immigration. Paid for on flight wi- fi that didn’t work for most of the flight.

Coming back to America was a peaceful flight everyone and everything was perfect

I had a bad experience coming from America to Thailand. On my connecting flight my check in suitcase was not put on the departing aircraft, I received my suitcase 24 hours after arriving in Bangkok and when I open my luggage my hand swelled up. The next morning when I put on an outfit from my suitcase my face swelled up and became numb. My entire vacation was ruined it seems that some kind of chemical was sprayed into suitcase and ruined my clothes and got me sick. The staff at my hotel called the airline and spoke to someone and they told me to file a complaint and gave my a website to do so. I did not file a complaint I felt like it would have fell on death ears. I had to throw away my brand new vacation clothes and suitcase and I had the worst vacation ever due to this happening to me.

The staff was courteous and the flight was very smooth. It was so nice to see the captain greeting the passengers at the end of the flights.

Issues: 1) the charging issue as described in my previous survey 2) when I requested diet coke during the breakfast time, it is not available. Why? I can't drink diet coke in the morning? 3) when I tried to transfer to this flight, its gate information was not available to me?

The lead business class attendant was excellent. Made a point of greeting you and knowing your name by the time you leave.

A lot of things Never flying with this airline again Had an emergency landing

Chicken pieces were too big with pasta. Need to be smaller.

Seats in the absolute back row of the plane even though we booked ages ago :( Crew was awesome though

The only problem was my connecting flight to Chiang Mai on Hong Kong express that I booked through Cathay Pacific was canceled and I was never told about it. I was rescheduled on a flight 10 hours later. Very long day at rgr airport in Hing Kong after a 13 hour flight but that's OK, I understand things change but I think I should have been told. I would have prepared myself for a long wait. Great flights all around though. Thank you

Just want to do a little more clean up so does not smell like urine.

Check in process at the kiosk, crew in flight and overall comfort was good. Food selection could have been better. Flight from Hong Kong to Los Angeles did not have any vegetarian main course option, it was either sea food or chicken. Being a vegetarian I could only eat yogurt and fruit. Most international flights have one vegetarian main course dish which I found missing in Cathay Pacific menu.

Paid a premium a have a shorter transit time in Hong Kong, but Cathay pacific rebooked me and ended up waiting for 10 hrs in Hong Hong airport.

The only problem I had was not being able to download my boarding passes prior to arriving at the airport. Everything else was perfect.

In my return flight they couldn’t identify my ticket or boarding pass, I had to go to 3 different counters until I was able to get my boarding pass. The food was on, it was the bear minimum. They didn’t even recognise that I was a Muslim and can’t eat meat, chicken or pork. In one of the trays I believe they served me pork. The staff were very pleasant, but they need to be aware of their surroundings more carefully, one of them stuck her lower belly right into my face! I was shocked and very uncomfortable.

Overall I had good experience with China Southern airline. Nothing to claim. I hoped they could improve the meal quality that is.

Wow very impressed by the quality and attentiveness of service of China Southern. Lived the blankets! Will definitely fly with them again. Despite language barriers, a few attendants know enough English to understand our rudimentary Mandarin and respond to basic questions. Although they don’t explain the beverage and meal service on the website or ticketing documents, they offered regular beverage cart and snacks during the beginning hours and end hours of the long, transoceanic flight. A full meal at the beginning and end of the flight as well, and a midflight small sandwich (dinner roll sized) but we weren’t hungry and didn’t try that one. The expectation is that every sleeps during the middle of the flight. We were on a “redeye” departure from LAX with a morning arrival in China, so I don’t know if this service pattern is the same for other flights. The domestic flight we took from Guangzhou to Harbin offered conventional refreshments and meals like a US flight service. Note that they didn’t offer diet sodas. If you like to stay hydrated, I recommend bringing plenty of your own. It is served in small cups like any other drink. You can ask for a bottle but they’re tiny - about 6 ounces.

China Southern was not the problem. I booked my flight through Kayak and also received a booking reference and alert details regarding departure time and gate numbers… however Kayak NEVER actually booked my flight! We were stranded at the airport without a flight for a long awaited holiday!

The connection between LA and Atlanta was too much stress

Terrible boarding experience,,food is very poor that I I . Never going book this airline again.

The crew were kind, patient and responsive. The service was excellent, even though we travelled the cheapest economy class. We arrived at our destination 40 min early, which for a 15+ hour flight is a great bonus. The boarding seemed a bit "loose", but got us boarded on time, and the plane was off exactly @ 0:30 hrs.

The airport didn‘t give me the ticket. I called customer service to ask for a refund but they kept giving me a perfunctory response and refused to refund me.

The flight was delayed hours and most flights from CS are always delayed. Plane was efficient and got us home but not the best food and no entertainment system at all.

Not good - chair back could not move back for premium economy. Not worth the price

Flight from Rome to SFO was excellent compared To our flight to Europe from SFO. The food was much tastier. You can see how UNITED is skimping, though. Instead of getting something mid flight you had to ask for it. It was not automatically served. There was a cookie at the end of the arrival meal, for example that tasted like it just came out of a box. They used to serve a little container of nuts, now … a tiny container of nuts, mixed with pretzels. This was business class that you really have to pay for! But this is minor complaints compared to the overall. My major complaint is the position of the even numbered seats by the windows. You have to turn around to see your window & the positioning as some other controls are harder to get at. This is compared to the odd number seat that are perfectly aligned.

The food quality sucks. One must starve if they do not eat flesh Or wheat based products Some variety would be expected. The trivial amount of snacks and or food is inhumane

Flight was timely, relatively comfortable, with decent entertainment and food served. Only problem encountered was with the free messaging which I highly appreciate, but it did not work from iphone to non-iphones.

The internet service I paid for didn’t work at all and the flight crew was not very friendly.

Subject: Formal Complaint: Discriminatory and Unprofessional Conduct – Request for Immediate Action & Compensation Dear [Airline Customer Relations Team], I am writing to file a formal complaint regarding my recent travel experience with [Airline], which was by far the worst I have ever encountered. What occurred was not only unprofessional, but in several instances discriminatory, unsafe, and unacceptable. On the first leg of my trip, I arrived only four minutes past check-in. Instead of making any attempt to resolve the matter, your representative flatly denied me boarding and made me wait while she attended to passengers who arrived after me. By the time a manager intervened, it was too late to board, costing me time, money, and unnecessary frustration. The second leg of my trip (Chicago–San Francisco) raised even more serious concerns. From the outset, it was apparent that the staff—particularly two attendants—prioritized Caucasian passengers while dismissing African American and minority passengers. • When a Caucasian passenger in the exit row refused to comply with federal safety requirements, I, as a first responder, immediately offered to switch seats and assume the responsibility. My offer was blatantly ignored, and instead, a Caucasian passenger seated further up was chosen. This was discriminatory and deeply insulting, especially as I was actively de-escalating the situation that could have delayed the flight further. • During a lengthy tarmac delay of over 90 minutes, passengers were given conflicting and unreasonable instructions that created unnecessary distress and tension. • Throughout the flight, a visibly intoxicated passenger directly in front of me was disruptive, rude to others, failed to comply with seatbelt and electronic device rules, and yet faced no enforcement from the crew. In stark contrast, I was singled out for repeated compliance checks even though I was following every rule. This unequal treatment was so obvious that multiple passengers around me spoke up in my defense. This pattern of behavior demonstrated a clear lack of professionalism, disregard for passenger safety, and discriminatory treatment. I expect far better from an airline of your stature. As a paying customer subjected to this unacceptable treatment, I am formally requesting: 1. A full investigation into the conduct of the staff on both flights. 2. A written apology acknowledging the discriminatory and unprofessional behavior I endured. 3. Appropriate compensation for the distress, inconvenience, and mishandling of my travel. If this matter is not addressed promptly and thoroughly, I will have no choice but to escalate my complaint further, including filing with the U.S. Department of Transportation and sharing my experience through other channels. I trust [Airline] will take this complaint seriously and provide a timely resolution.

Check in was quick and easy during early hours. Flight was on time, and customer services was a plus.

I understand that the food on the airplane wouldn’t be fantastic. However, it wasn’t good at all. 😭

The flight was comfortable with the exit row and great service

Plane was crowded and even when we hit altitude, the plane was hot, not enough air flow.

1. when we went to check in, our 2 first class seats had been CANCELED and the flight was sold out. This was done without our prior knowledge. It was all we could do to restore one first class seat for my wife and I flew economy. 2, Our flight home was scheduled to leave at 10:30 pm. Due to tsunami warnings, the roads were closed and our flight status was uncertain as to whether it would leave as scheduled. It was announced that it would now leave at 11:20 pm and the roads were now open since the tsunami had come and gone. We made a mad dash to the airport and checked in. Delays were announced at 12:30 pm, 1:30 am, 2:30 am and at 3:30 am it was canceled. Since this was a flight due to natural (tsunami) causes, there was no compensation. We were told to return at 1:00 pm the next day and our baggage would be kept on the plane since the same plane was going to leave at 1:00 pm. We had to return to our hotel for the rest of the night. The same plane did not leave at 1:00 pm and our baggage was gone! All in all, it was a miserable performance by UA. Information was hard to obtain and no one knew what was going on and what was going to happen. Hundreds of passengers slept on the floor, chairs, etc. No food and no water was made available to the passengers. It was a situation where UA could care less what was going on. As a one million mile flyer, I had not experienced anything like this before and it was hugely disappointing!

Everything you need to know for your flight to California

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