Shanghai → Buenos Aires via Auckland: 29 hours, 12,200 miles, and a new aviation record.
Flight Overview
- Airline: China Eastern Airlines
- Route: Shanghai, China → Auckland, New Zealand → Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Total Distance: 12,229 miles (19,681 km)
- Total Duration: 29 hours (including stopover)
- Service Launch: Winter 2025
The Journey
- Depart Shanghai on China Eastern Airlines.
- Stopover in Auckland, New Zealand – approx. 2.5 hours.
- Continue to Buenos Aires, Argentina without changing aircraft.
- Total travel time: 25 hours 55 minutes in the air + 2.5 hours layover.
Why It’s a Record
- Longest direct flight available to passengers (direct = same plane, no aircraft change).
- Previous record holders include Singapore Airlines’ Singapore–New York route (~16–19 hours).
- Covers nearly half the circumference of the Earth in a single journey.
Passenger Experience
- No seat change required: passengers remain on the same aircraft for the entire trip.
- One of the few commercial services linking East Asia and South America directly.
- Provides new connectivity between China, Oceania, and South America.
Aviation Significance
- Strengthens China–Argentina air links, boosting tourism and trade.
- Expands China Eastern’s ultra-long-haul portfolio.
- Sets a new milestone in aviation endurance for both aircraft and passengers.
📌 Key Takeaway
With nearly 30 hours of continuous travel and a staggering 12,229-mile journey, the upcoming China Eastern Airlines service from Shanghai to Buenos Aires via Auckland will become the world’s longest direct passenger flight, offering a record-breaking experience in global aviation.




