China Eastern Airlines to launch world’s longest direct flight - here's where it will fly, duration, schedule and ticket pricing

China Eastern Airlines is going to run the world’s longest direct flight, covering about 12,000 miles across the Pacific Ocean. The flight will connect Shanghai in China to Buenos Aires in Argentina, starting in December 2025. The journey will take around 29 hours and will use a Boeing 777-300ER plane, as per the report by Business Insider.

The flight will make a two-hour refueling stop in Auckland, New Zealand, but passengers will stay onboard, so it is still considered a direct flight. The flight schedule is: Flight 745 from Shanghai to Buenos Aires on Mondays and Thursdays starting December 4, taking about 25.5 hours because of favorable winds, as stated by Business Traveler.

Flight tickets and prices

The return Flight 746 from Buenos Aires to Shanghai will operate on Tuesdays and Fridays. Economy class tickets for December flights cost between $1,538 and $2,270, while business class tickets start at about $5,000 and offer lie-flat beds for comfort during the long trip.

Route benefits and importance

This new route is China Eastern’s first flight to South America via the southern hemisphere, skipping usual stops in the U.S. or Europe. The airline may also use this route to create a fifth freedom link between Buenos Aires and Auckland, which has shown demand historically, as stated by Business Traveler.

Auckland Airport CEO Carrie Hurihanganui said the flight will bring benefits like more tourism, trade, education links, and a direct connection home for the 40,000 South Americans living in New Zealand, as per the reports.

FAQs

Q1. What is the world’s longest direct flight by China Eastern Airlines?
China Eastern Airlines will operate the world’s longest direct flight from Shanghai to Buenos Aires, covering about 12,000 miles.

Q2. How much do tickets cost for the Shanghai to Buenos Aires flight?
Economy tickets cost $1,538–$2,270, and business class tickets start at around $5,000 for the nearly 29-hour trip.