China Eastern launches world’s longest flight linking Shanghai, Buenos Aires

China Eastern Airlines has inaugurated the world’s longest commercial air route, connecting Shanghai and Buenos Aires with a distance of more than 20,000 kilometers.

The inaugural flight, MU745, landed in the Argentine capital on the afternoon of December 4 after a 26-hour journey that included a technical stop in Auckland, New Zealand, Caliber.Az reports via Chinese media. 

The new connection is also the first commercial air link between two points located at nearly exact antipodes. By taking a southern route rather than traditional paths through Europe or North America, the flight shortens travel time by approximately five hours.

Operated with Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, the service departs Shanghai Pudong Airport at 2:00 a.m. Beijing Time every Monday and Thursday, arriving in Buenos Aires at 4:55 p.m. local time. The return flight, MU746, leaves Buenos Aires at 2:00 a.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays, landing in Shanghai the following evening at 6:00 p.m. Beijing Time. Although the aircraft stops in Auckland due to the extreme distance, passengers remain on board during the two-hour layover.

The first flight achieved a 96% load factor, reflecting strong initial demand. 

Beyond passenger travel, the new route opens opportunities for fresh cargo transport. Return flights are scheduled to carry shipments including 2.1 tonnes of Argentine cherries and 10.5 tonnes of chilled Chilean salmon to China.

By Sabina Mammadli