China's ancient and modern capital rewards every kind of traveler — from the grandeur of the Forbidden City and the scale of the Great Wall to Michelin-starred cuisine and cutting-edge contemporary art. Cheap flights to Beijing from the US are accessible year-round, with nonstop service from multiple West Coast cities and competitive connecting options via Asian hubs. Call +1 (855) 302-0422 (24/7) to get a live fare quote and book your trip today.
Airports serving Beijing
Beijing has two major international airports — both serve international routes, and the newer one is notable:
- Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) — Beijing's original international hub and still the busiest, handling the majority of existing long-haul routes including most US-Beijing nonstop services. Located about 32 km northeast of the city, it is served by the Airport Express train to Dongzhimen Station in about 16–20 minutes.
- Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) — China's newest mega-airport, opened in 2019 and located about 46 km south of central Beijing. PKX is used by China Southern and certain other carriers; some international routes are expanding here. Check which airport your booking uses — PEK and PKX are well separated and require planning.
Most US-Beijing flights currently arrive at PEK. When booking flights to Beijing, confirm your arrival airport at time of booking.
US departure cities with nonstop service to Beijing
Beijing has solid nonstop coverage from the US, particularly the West Coast and New York:
| US Departure | Nonstop Available? | Airlines | Flight Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles (LAX) | Yes | Air China, United | ~13–14 hrs |
| San Francisco (SFO) | Yes | Air China, United | ~12–13 hrs |
| New York (JFK) | Yes | Air China | ~14–15 hrs |
| Chicago (ORD) | No | — | ~19–23 hrs via Seoul or Tokyo |
| Seattle (SEA) | No | — | ~15–18 hrs via Seoul or Tokyo |
Routes from Los Angeles to Beijing and San Francisco to Beijing offer the best nonstop frequency and typically the most competitive fares. Air China and United compete directly on these corridors.
Best seasons to find cheap Beijing flights
Beijing's climate is sharply continental — cold winters, hot summers, and a short but glorious spring and autumn. This directly shapes fare seasonality:
- Low season (cheapest fares): December through February (outside of Spring Festival), and July–August (scorching heat and high pollution in some years). West Coast round-trip fares can dip to around $560–$740 in midwinter (outside CNY) and midsummer.
- Shoulder season: May and September–early October. Good weather, moderate demand, fares often in the $750–$950 range from the West Coast.
- Peak season (highest fares): Chinese New Year/Spring Festival (late January–mid February), October Golden Week (first week of October), and late March–April (cherry blossoms at the Summer Palace, pleasant weather). These periods see both domestic Chinese travel surges and increased international demand.
Autumn — particularly September and the first half of October (before Golden Week prices kick in) — is Beijing's most celebrated season: crisp blue skies, golden foliage at Fragrant Hills, and mild temperatures perfect for walking the Great Wall. See when to book flights for the cheapest fare for general strategy on booking windows.
Illustrative round-trip fare ranges
Fares on US-Beijing routes are generally competitive due to multi-carrier nonstop service. These are rough estimates — call for actual current pricing:
| Departure City | Low Season (Economy) | Peak Season (Economy) | Business Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles (LAX) | from around $560 | from around $880 | from around $2,500 |
| San Francisco (SFO) | from around $580 | from around $900 | from around $2,550 |
| New York (JFK) | from around $700 | from around $1,020 | from around $3,000 |
| Chicago (ORD) | from around $680 | from around $980 | from around $2,900 |
Beijing sometimes offers the lowest entry-level fares of any major Asian destination from the US, particularly in low season. However, prices fluctuate and final fares are confirmed when you call.
Nonstop vs. connecting flights to Beijing
From the West Coast, nonstop flights to Beijing PEK take 12–14 hours — a manageable transpacific journey. For East Coast or Midwest travelers, one-stop routings via Seoul (ICN) on Korean Air or via Tokyo (NRT) on ANA/JAL are well-established options that add 3–5 hours to total travel time but can sometimes be more economical or offer better service than the nonstop alternative.
One note on Chinese carrier nonstop service: Air China's in-flight product on some routes has received mixed reviews. If service quality on a 13-hour flight matters to you, compare options carefully — sometimes paying slightly more for a Korean Air or ANA connection results in a more comfortable overall experience.
Money-saving tips for Beijing flights
- Fly in January (outside Spring Festival). Post-New Year Beijing is cold and quiet — and fares to match. If you can layer up, it's one of the best-value times to visit.
- Avoid Spring Festival and Golden Week entirely if possible. The fare spikes during these national holidays are dramatic, and airports and popular sites are extremely crowded.
- Compare Air China vs. United nonstop. These carriers compete directly on LAX-PEK and SFO-PEK. Pricing varies by day and booking window — we compare both.
- Note visa requirements well in advance. US citizens need a Chinese visa to enter mainland China. Apply at least 3–4 weeks before travel.
- Ask about open-jaw options. Flying into Beijing and out of Shanghai (or vice versa) on a single ticket — rather than booking two separate one-ways — can sometimes provide significant savings and lets you see more of China.
Changes and cancellations on China routes
International fare rules on China-bound tickets can vary significantly between carriers. Promotional fares from Chinese airlines are often non-changeable and non-refundable. Standard economy fares on US carriers typically carry no change fee but do require fare-difference payment. Read our guide on avoiding flight change and cancellation fees before booking to understand your options.
Book your Beijing flight today
The Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, the Summer Palace, and Beijing's extraordinary hutong alleyways — this city demands to be seen. Getting there at the right price is what we do. Call +1 (855) 302-0422 (24/7) and our agents will compare all nonstop and connecting options for your travel dates and lock in your booking.