China Eastern Airlines to Launch the World’s Longest Direct Flight
This December, China’s China Eastern Airlines will open a new international route between Shanghai and Buenos Aires, which will become the longest direct (but not nonstop) commercial flight in the world.
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Total route length: 19,631 km
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Flight duration:
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Shanghai to Buenos Aires: ~25 hours 30 minutes
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Return flight: ~29 hours (due to headwinds)
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The flight will be operated using Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, with a technical stopover in Auckland (New Zealand). Passengers will not have to leave the transit area or change planes, so the route is officially considered direct.
Ticket Prices:
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From $1,718 in economy class
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From $6,435 in business class
Flight Schedule:
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Departures from Shanghai: Mondays and Thursdays
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From Buenos Aires: Tuesdays and Fridays
Comparison with Other Record Flights:
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The current nonstop record belongs to Singapore Airlines (Singapore – New York):
17,662 km, ~19 hours on a specially modified Airbus A350-900ULR (business & premium economy only). -
Among economy class routes, the record is held by Air China:
Beijing – São Paulo (via Madrid): 17,583 km
Strategic Importance
While demand for such long flights is expected to remain moderate, the route highlights China’s growing diplomatic and transport ties with South America. It’s already being viewed as a strategic step to strengthen interregional cooperation.
