Want to get plane tickets, but do not know airline which has this route. Also, any idea how much it will cost? Thank you!

You won't find it on easily on their published timetables, but there are at least 3 flights:

China Southern:
CZ 3481 15:10-15:50 735

China Eastern:
MU 4447 7:00-7:40 733
MU 4449 7:40-8:10 733

Don't ask me why Dali isn't even among the cities to search for on their websites, or even CZ's downloadable PDF timetable... That's how the Chinese run their websites.

There are typically five to seven flights daily between Kunming and Dali (the airport is actually at Xiaguan, and bus shuttle links to there, from where you need to change bus station to get a bus to Dali). All but one of these flights are with China Eastern, the other with China Southern.

But if you are thinking of booking before reaching China, don't. Just buy in Kunming, and you'll pay much less for your ticket: perhaps as little as half, buying from agents in the town, and haggling a little.

There are also luxury buses on the Kunming to Dali route which are worth considering, as the scenery on the way is splendid, as well as a rather slow and less convenient rail service.

Peter N-H
http://members.axion.net/~pnh/China.html

Peter: How long is the bus ride, please? Thanks!

Fve hours; around ¥100 (US$12).

Peter N-H
http://members.shaw.ca/pnhpublic/China.html