China Eastern Airlines has announced plans to inaugurate the world's longest commercial flight, linking Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) to Buenos Aires Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) via a technical stop in Auckland, New Zealand, La Nacion has reported. The route, covering approximately 19,681 kilometres, is set to commence in December 2025, with flights operating twice weekly.
The Shanghai–Auckland–Buenos Aires service will surpass the current record held by Air China's Beijing–Madrid–São Paulo route, establishing itself as the longest one-stop commercial flight globally. Despite the Auckland stop, passengers will remain on board, maintaining their seats without the need for aircraft changes, classifying the service as a 'direct' flight.
The journey from Shanghai to Buenos Aires is estimated to take approximately 29 hours, with the return leg slightly shorter at 25.5 hours.
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