World

China Eastern Airlines to Launch World’s Longest Flight: How Shanghai-Buenos Aires Route Redefines Travel

China Eastern will launch the world’s longest flight: Shanghai to Buenos Aires via Auckland.

September 14, 2025, 8:33 PM

A China Eastern Airlines passenger plane is parked on an airport tarmac with another plane behind it

A China Eastern Airlines Airbus A350-900 passenger plane is parked on the tarmac at an airport in Qingdao, China. By Sport car hub / Shutterstock.com.

Executive Summary

China Eastern Airlines will launch the world’s longest direct flight in December, connecting Shanghai and Buenos Aires with a technical stop in Auckland where passengers remain on board.

The new route will cover 10,600 nautical miles, with the return journey from Buenos Aires to Shanghai taking approximately 29 hours and the outbound 25 hours 30 minutes, utilizing a Boeing 777-300.

This ambitious flight is a strategic move to strengthen China’s diplomatic relations with South American nations, despite projections of limited initial demand.

The Story So Far

The launch of China Eastern Airlines’ new Shanghai-Buenos Aires route, despite projections of limited initial demand, is primarily a strategic initiative aimed at strengthening diplomatic relations and enhancing China’s broader engagement with South American nations, rather than being driven by immediate commercial viability.

Why This Matters

The launch of China Eastern’s ultra-long-haul Shanghai-Buenos Aires flight, despite its extreme duration and anticipated limited initial demand, primarily signifies a strategic move by China to deepen diplomatic and economic ties with South American nations, extending its global influence through direct air links, while also redefining the boundaries of long-haul air travel.

Who Thinks What?

China Eastern Airlines, supported by broader Chinese initiatives, views the new Shanghai-Buenos Aires flight as an ambitious and strategically important route aimed at strengthening diplomatic relations with South American nations, despite anticipating limited initial demand.

The market is presented with a record-breaking long-haul flight offering one-way Economy fares starting at $1,718 and Business Class at $6,435, with initial passenger demand projected to be limited.

China Eastern Airlines is poised to launch the world’s longest direct flight in December, establishing a new air link between Shanghai and Buenos Aires. The ambitious route, which includes a technical stop in Auckland where passengers will remain on board, is part of broader efforts to strengthen diplomatic relations between China and South American nations. Operating twice weekly, this service will surpass previous long-haul records, despite projections of limited initial demand.

Flight Details and Duration

The new route will cover an extensive 10,600 nautical miles, with the return journey from Buenos Aires to Shanghai expected to take approximately 29 hours due to significant headwinds. The outbound flight is scheduled for a duration of 25 hours and 30 minutes. China Eastern Airlines will deploy a Boeing 777-300 aircraft for this ultra-long-haul service.

This new offering will eclipse the current record holder for the world’s longest direct flight, which is presently held by Air China’s route between Beijing and Sao Paulo. Although the flight includes a stop in Auckland, passengers will not disembark, maintaining its classification as a direct service in terms of passenger experience.

Scheduling and Fares

The service will operate twice per week to accommodate travelers. Flights will depart from Shanghai on Mondays and Thursdays, while return flights from Buenos Aires are scheduled for Tuesdays and Fridays. This schedule aims to provide consistent connectivity between the two continents.

Fares for the lengthy journey will begin at $1,718 for a one-way Economy Class ticket. For those seeking enhanced comfort, Business Class tickets will start at $6,435. These prices reflect the extended duration and unique nature of the flight.

Strategic Importance

Beyond commercial considerations, the launch of this flight is understood to be a component of China’s ongoing initiatives to improve diplomatic relations with South American countries. Despite the strategic intent, the airline anticipates that initial demand for the route may be limited. This initiative underscores China’s persistent engagement with the region through various avenues, including direct transportation links.