If you’ve ever imagined being on a plane for more than an entire day, a Chinese airline is about to make that dream—or challenge—a reality.
China Eastern Airlines has officially launched ticket sales for its new route connecting Shanghai to Buenos Aires, which will soon become the world’s longest commercial flight in terms of duration.
Flight Details: 25.5 Hours One Way, 29 Hours on Return
According to the airline, the flight will depart from Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) and land at Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) in Buenos Aires in 25.5 hours. However, on the return journey back to Shanghai, passengers will spend 29 hours in the air, making it the longest scheduled direct flight duration anywhere in the world.
Not Non-Stop, But Still the Longest
While impressive, this new service is not a nonstop flight. The plane will make a two-hour stopover in Auckland, New Zealand, before resuming its journey. That’s why, technically, the crown of the longest nonstop flight still belongs to Singapore Airlines, which operates a 19-hour, 9,537-mile flight between Singapore and New York without stopping.
Still, with its unique trajectory and sheer length of time, the Shanghai–Buenos Aires service will rank as the longest direct commercial flight ever scheduled.
Connecting Antipodal Cities for the First Time
What makes this new route even more historic is that it will be the first commercial flight in history to link antipodal cities—two locations on opposite sides of the Earth. In this case, Shanghai and Buenos Aires sit almost exactly across from each other on the globe.
To achieve this, China Eastern’s Boeing 777-300ER will take an extraordinary flight path, passing near Antarctica, something rarely done in commercial aviation. The airline says this unusual routing will actually help save up to four hours compared to other possible routes.
Aircraft and Frequency
The airline will operate the route using the Boeing 777-300ER, known for its long-haul endurance and passenger comfort. Initially, the service will run twice a week, with the first flight scheduled for December 4, 2025.
Aviation Milestone
This announcement marks a milestone in global aviation, pushing the limits of what is possible for long-haul air travel. For passengers, the experience promises to be both unique and challenging—offering the rare chance to journey across nearly half the planet in a single ticket.
Travelers who board this historic flight won’t just be embarking on a trip between China and Argentina—they’ll be part of a record-setting chapter in aviation history.
