Aviation history has been rewritten with the launch of the planet's longest commercial passenger flight, a mammoth journey spanning nearly 29 hours in the air.
A New Record in the Sky
China Eastern Airlines commenced its groundbreaking new service on Thursday, 6th December 2025. The flight connects Shanghai in China with Buenos Aires in Argentina, covering a staggering distance of 12,400 miles. The outbound leg takes over 25 hours, with the return journey stretching to approximately 29 hours due to prevailing wind patterns, solidifying its record-breaking status.
The service dethrones the previous record-holder, Singapore Airlines' non-stop flight between New York and Singapore, which clocks in at around 19 hours. The new route includes a two-hour technical stop in Auckland, New Zealand, for refuelling and a change of crew.
Connecting Continents and Communities
Operated by a 316-seat Boeing 777-300ER, the flight will run twice a week throughout the year. Its inaugural journey departed Shanghai Pudong International Airport at 2 am local time and touched down at Buenos Aires' Ezeiza International Airport ten minutes early, at 4:45 pm local time.
China Eastern states the route fills a crucial gap in direct air links between Shanghai and major South American cities. It is strategically significant, serving Argentina's substantial East Asian diaspora. Data from Simply Flying indicates over 55,000 people born in China reside in Argentina, forming one of the country's fastest-growing communities. Furthermore, nearly 96,000 passengers travelled between China and Buenos Aires in the year leading to September 2025.
The Race for Long-Haul Dominance
The launch reignites the competition among airlines to operate the world's most extended flights. Australian carrier Qantas has already announced plans to start a 22-hour direct route from Sydney to London in 2027, indicating the push for ultra-long-haul travel is accelerating.
In a statement, China Eastern said: "This new route opens a 'southbound corridor' connecting opposite ends of the Pacific and reshapes air travel between three continents." The milestone was celebrated with events in Shanghai, Auckland, and Buenos Aires, marking a new chapter in global connectivity.
