December 18, 2025 | Dubai, UAE: China Eastern Airlines has officially launched what it describes as the world’s longest flight, a marathon 29-hour journey connecting Shanghai and Buenos Aires with a brief stopover in Auckland. The inaugural service departed Shanghai Pudong International Airport on December 4, marking a significant milestone in ultra-long-haul aviation and establishing a new benchmark for commercial passenger travel.

The twice-weekly service covers approximately 20,700 kilometres, making it the world’s longest flight route currently in operation by total duration. Flight MU745, operating the southbound journey, takes just over 25 hours, while the return flight MU746 stretches to approximately 29 hours due to prevailing headwinds.

Flight Details Comparison and Configuration

Operated by a Boeing 777-300ER, the service includes a two-hour stopover in Auckland, where passengers can disembark. Because of this intermediate stop, the service does not qualify as the world’s longest flight in the non-stop category, a distinction currently held by Singapore Airlines’ 18-hour Singapore to New York JFK route covering 15,349 kilometres.

Strategic Route, Growing Demand, and Statistics of the World’s Longest Flight

China Eastern has described the new route as a step toward creating an “Air Silk Road” connecting Asia with Oceania and South America. According to booking data, 96,000 round-trip passengers flew between China and Buenos Aires in the 12 months ending September 2025, with the Shanghai to Buenos Aires market accounting for 26,000 passengers. Approximately 55,000 Chinese nationals live in Argentina, making it a key market for the airline.

The airline has chosen an unconventional southern route, flying over remote waters close to Antarctica. China Eastern states this trajectory reduces total flight time by at least four hours compared to traditional northbound routes with transfers in Europe or North America, which typically take around 30 to 31 hours.

Redefining Ultra-Long-Haul Travel Standards

The launch of this world’s longest flight reflects the rapid expansion of ultra-long-haul travel in the aviation industry. According to OAG data, the China Eastern service has surpassed the previous record holder in the one-stop category, Aircalin’s route from Nouméa to Paris CDG via Bangkok. The world’s longest flight now joins a small but growing group of ultra-long-haul routes, including Qatar Airways’ Doha to Auckland connection and Qantas’ Perth to London Heathrow services.

The onboard experience includes gourmet multi-course meals adapted for varying time zones, extensive in-flight entertainment libraries, and wellness features such as adjustable lighting and humidity controls to combat jet lag during the extended voyage. The service will depart Shanghai on Mondays and Thursdays, with return flights from Buenos Aires on Tuesdays and Fridays.

While Singapore Airlines’ non-stop services to New York remain the longest uninterrupted flights, China Eastern’s total journey time establishes a new record in the one-stop category. Looking ahead, Qantas plans to launch a Sydney to London direct service in 2026 using Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, with an estimated flight time of 22 hours that could challenge current non-stop records.

Industry experts note that the world’s longest flight designation carries significant marketing value. China Eastern’s achievement demonstrates the growing demand for direct connectivity between distant regions. The service also facilitates cargo transport, including electronics, medical instruments, and agricultural products between China, New Zealand, and Argentina. As the airline evaluates passenger demand and operational performance, the success of this world’s longest flight could influence future route planning across the industry, potentially inspiring similar ultra-long-haul connections between other distant city pairs around the globe.

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