Most schools reimburse flight cost over the course of the year either through a one lump payment or split up into a small amount and paid monthly throughout the year. 

Don't travel to China with a debt already incurred - especially a debt to your employer.
It is similar to the basic rule of not paying an agent to get a job.

any debt will leave you open to exploitation and abuse.

If you are travelling to China have at least 1 months worth of money in reserve - maybe more.

you might need this should a medical emergency arise.

I had the equvilant of 750 Euros reserve all the time.

You can certainly negotiate about the plane ticket with your employer.

If they really want and need you, they might be prepared to purchase your ticket in advance with deduction from your pay later on.

I am thinking, what are they going to do once you signed the contract and papers for the visa are already in progress, but you don't have enough funds for the plane ticket.

I wouldn't ask them for the advance money!

Once they'll agree with the loan, it's better if you ask them to just purchase your ticket.

Good luck!

this might interest you  (if you are a real person)

if you can not afford the plane fare into China, it is probably best you don't travel.

by arrving in debt, you are ripe for exploitation.
without a financial 'cushion' on arrival, you are one accident away from destitution and don't think for a moment that your Chinese employer will bail you out (or care).

It does not bode well for you if you can not get yourself to China without indebting youself.
I have seen foreign workers survive from paycheck to paycheck with little to show.
Financial prudence is a must in China for foreign workers, and being in debt when you arrive does not show you in a good light.

https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/3190238/hong-kongs-selling-piglets-human-trafficking-scandal-shows-how-desperate

Getting in debt on arrival, out of anything that the reason would be is a ticket to abuse. Expect that the whole time working for your employer be asked to work extra hours and do those jobs that, very likely the employe wouldn't ask you to do, weren't for the debt.

Yoou will be despised in the eyes fo the employer because they will see you incompetent to taking care of your life and that you fly to China to become as dependent on others. It is a hash image but I have learnt enough of the Chinese mind to understand that there is nothing to admire about becoming vulnerable. 

This is the measure for losing face, and the CHinese people hate losing it. You are making yourself vulnerable when there shouldn't be any,  precisely at the beginning of your contract, if you have one.

Borrow money from your friends or family or work something that would secure the flight ticket and never expect for favors from your employer, ever, never, ever. Try not even show any fragile side to your image. Don't let them to perceive anything of too extraudinarily great nor of the wickness about you. Be balanced, be subtle, be distant, be prudent. Do not make yourself servile out of gracefulness and token of appreciation. Make it clear that you are paid for what you work and for what you work be ready to fight.

You won't be able to fight in the prudent way your employer if you are paid the flight to China.

My two cents, anyways.

It seems Calaba didn't like my replying. Here is my chance for more points.