[3/17 Update]: Air China has canceled some flights on certain dates due to the pandemic.
Now that the global outbreak has deteriorated sharply, tickets to return home are suddenly in high demand. Many routes are hard to get, and fares have gone up dramatically.
This post covers which routes and flights are operating between China and North America right now. Flights to other continents are not covered for now.
Because schedules are complicated, all listed departure dates are shown in Beijing time.
Before the route information:
- Even in a pandemic, there is still risk in flying, even with good aircraft ventilation—whether because of passengers nearby, filters not changed for a long time, or older aircraft
(looking at you, Delta). If travel can be avoided, avoid it. - Returning to China now requires mandatory centralized/home quarantine for 14 days, with no exemption.
- If return travelers incur quarantine or treatment costs, non-Chinese nationals must pay 100% out of pocket. Chinese citizens should first apply medical insurance/social security reimbursement and then pay the remaining amount. International students should check their own situation to see whether the first two points apply.
Contents [Hide]
Direct flights between China and the U.S.
US carriers
None (A lot of dramatic posturing, but it turned out to be nonsense)
Air China (CA)
CA989/990, PEK-JFK, 2 weekly on 2/5. An extra flight has been added on Sunday, 3/29.
CA981/982, PEK-JFK-IAD, 3 weekly on 1/3/6
CA987/988, PEK-LAX, 5 weekly on 1/2/3/4/5/6, changing to 1/3/6 starting in April
CA983/984, PEK-LAX-SFO, 4 weekly on 2/4/5/7
China Eastern (MU)
MU587/588 PVG-JFK, 3 weekly on 3/5/7. Starting March 29, one flight daily.
Temporarily canceled on March 27 and 29.
MU583/586 PVG-LAX, one flight on March 18, then daily from March 20.
Temporarily canceled on March 25, 27, and 29.
PVG-ORD on March 20, 25, and 27, one flight each. Then resumed to 3 weekly on 1/3/5.
MU589/590 PVG-SFO daily one flight from March 20 to March 28; starting March 30, 3 weekly on 1/3/5.
China Southern (CZ)
CZ609/610, SHE-LAX, 3 weekly on 2/4/6
CZ327/328, CAN-LAX, operating on March 19/21/24/26/28, and starting March 29, 3 weekly on 1/3/5/7
CZ659/660, CAN-SFO, starting March 20, 3 weekly on 1/3/5/7
CZ659/660, CAN-JFK, starting March 30, 3 weekly on 1/2/4/6
XiamenAir (MF)
MF829/830, XMN-LAX, March 19-29, 2 weekly on 4/7
MF857/858, TAO-LAX, March 16-28, 3 weekly on 1/3/5
MF849/850, FOC-JFK, March 16-28, 3 weekly on 1/3/6
Canceled: 3/25, 3/30, 4/1, 4/6, 4/8
Hainan Airlines
No flights in March; unclear for April and May.
Sichuan Airlines
None
Direct flights between China and Canada
Except for Sichuan Airlines and China Eastern’s Nanjing routes, which are still on hold, the other routes are mostly normal. If you are already in Canada, you can keep coming as usual.
There are two ways to return from Canada: with a Canadian visa, or transiting back without one.
First, routes:
- YVR: Air China PEK, China Eastern PVG, China Southern CAN, XiamenAir XMN, Shouhang TAO
- YYZ: China Eastern PVG, China Southern CAN, HNA PEK
- YUL: Air China PEK
Starting March 18, Canada is prohibiting travelers who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents from entering.
Foreigners who have been in the U.S. for the last 14 days are still allowed to enter.
[East-commute cancellation dates]:
MU207/MU208, PVG-YYZ, March 28 flight canceled
MU597/MU598, PVG-YVR, flights on March 25/27/28 canceled
Transit
Hong Kong
Transit is still possible in Hong Kong, so Cathay Pacific flights are workable. In general, Cathay’s North America routes are also operating. Check fares for your specific dates. And mileage tickets have been relatively easy to book recently.
But flights from Hong Kong to the Mainland only run to 5 airports:
HKG-PEK: Dragonair, Hong Kong Airlines, and Air China; mostly one flight daily
HKG-PVG: Dragonair and Spring Airlines; mostly one flight daily
HKG-SHA: China Eastern and Hong Kong Airlines; mostly one flight daily
HKG-CTU: Dragonair, 3 weekly
HKG-XMN: Dragonair, 3 weekly
South Korea
Transit is still possible in South Korea, so Korean Air (KE) and Asiana (OZ) are workable, and their North America routes are also operating. Check fares for your dates. Mileage tickets are also relatively easy to get right now.
The Korean official response is: if the departure point is not Mainland China, you have not visited Hubei in the last 14 days, and your passport was not issued in Hubei, you can transit transit-fee-free but cannot enter Korea.
Japan
Transit is still possible in Japan, so Japan Airlines (JL) is workable, and JL’s North America routes are also operating. Check fares for your dates. Mileage tickets are also comparatively easy to get right now.
If you have a Japan visa issued outside Mainland China, you can do immigration at the airport; otherwise, you cannot. Transit must be completed the same day, so do not book itineraries that require changing airports, such as LAX-NRT or KIX-PVG.
Taiwan
Transit is still possible in Taiwan, so EVA Air and China Airlines (CI) flights are workable, and EVA/CI North America routes are also mostly operating. Check fares for your dates. Mileage tickets have also been relatively easy to obtain lately.
But flights from Taiwan to the Mainland are available only to 5 airports:
TPE-PEK: EVA/CAT? Actually EVA/CI/Air China
TPE-PVG: EVA, China Airlines, Air China, China Eastern, China Southern, Lucky Air, Spring Airlines
TSA-SHA: EVA, China Airlines, China Eastern
TPE-CTU: EVA and China Airlines combined, 3 weekly
TPE-XMN: XiamenAir
According to DP, as long as the EVA or CI check-in counter at your departure airport issues a complete itinerary boarding pass, transit in Taiwan should be fine.
According to DP, EVA’s counter is generally easier than China Airlines at obtaining a complete-itinerary boarding pass.
Singapore
Foreigners who have visited South Korea and Iran cannot enter Singapore, and cannot transit.
Foreigners who have been to Spain, Italy, France, or Germany in the last 14 days are barred from entering Singapore, and also barred from transiting there. This does not apply to Singapore permanent residents and holders of long-term visas.
Foreigners who have been in Mainland China (including transit) in the last 14 days cannot enter Singapore and cannot transit there.
Tourist visas tied to Mainland China passports/Iranian passports are temporarily invalid; transit visa-exemption entry is suspended.
For Mainland China passports (not issued in Hubei), if you have not been in Mainland China in the last 14 days, you can transit in Singapore. So routes North America - Singapore - Mainland China/overseas are workable.
UAE
Emirates (EK), Etihad (EY), and Air China (CA) all operate routes from Dubai/Abu Dhabi to Beijing. The UAE still allows visa-free entry, but the Mainland China destination is currently only Beijing.
EK306/307: daily
EY888/889: daily
CA942/941: 5 weekly on 2/3/5/6/7
Summary
The most suitable option is obviously direct flights from North America to Mainland China, and there are many of them. Transit flights are the fallback.
Among transit options, Hong Kong and South Korea are relatively convenient and comparatively safe.
Regardless, reduce unnecessary travel, and protect yourself and others too!