(DDM) – China Eastern Airlines is preparing to make aviation history with the launch of what could become the world’s longest direct flight, a 29-hour route connecting China and Argentina, according to reports by Daily Mail and CNN.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the new intercontinental journey will operate between Shanghai’s Pudong International Airport and Ministro Pistarini International Airport in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The route covers a remarkable 12,500 miles, making it one of the farthest commercial connections ever attempted.
The airline confirmed that the service, which officially begins on December 4, 2025, will operate as flights MU745 and MU746, offering passengers two weekly departures.
Although marketed as a “direct flight,” DDM learned that the journey will include a two-hour refueling and technical stop in Auckland, New Zealand, without passengers disembarking. Despite this pause, the route is considered one continuous direct operation, spanning nearly one full day and five hours on the return leg.
China Eastern described the new initiative as “the world’s first commercial route connecting antipodal cities,” meaning two cities located almost exactly opposite each other on the globe.
In an official statement, the airline said, “The Shanghai Pudong–Auckland–Buenos Aires route is a strategic step to build a new ‘Air Silk Road’ linking Asia-Pacific with South America.”
Before this new development, DDM reports that travelers between China and Argentina typically faced over 30 hours of travel time, often requiring multiple connections through hubs like Dubai, Amsterdam, or New York.
By introducing this new nonstop link, China Eastern aims to cut travel time and enhance trade, tourism, and diplomatic connectivity between the two continents.
According to aviation analysts, the airline will deploy its Boeing 777-300ER or Airbus A350 aircraft for the route, both capable of handling ultra-long-haul operations across remote and challenging flight paths, including portions that fly near Antarctica.
Ticket pricing, DDM confirmed, will range between £1,130 and £1,670 ($1,525–$2,254) for economy class, while business class seats will start at £3,700 ($4,994).
A check on travel platform SkyScanner shows that, as of late September, the quickest available flight from Shanghai to Buenos Aires still lasts 29 hours, with at least one stop, meaning China Eastern’s new service will match that duration but provide a single continuous flight experience.
Meanwhile, the cheapest alternative currently available is a 54-hour journey involving three layovers across different continents.
Industry experts told DDM that the upcoming route represents a new chapter in global aviation, reflecting Asia’s growing influence in long-haul travel innovation.
They noted that while airlines like Qantas are preparing to launch their own Project Sunrise routes between Sydney and London or New York by 2027, expected to last around 20 hours, China Eastern’s offering could set a new benchmark for endurance flying.
At the International Air Transport Association (IATA) conference held in June, Qantas announced that its new Airbus A350-1000 fleet would feature upgraded economy seating with 84cm of legroom, USB-C charging ports, and 33cm entertainment screens, setting new comfort standards for ultra-long-haul travel.
Aviation observers say China Eastern’s move appears to be part of a broader strategic competition between Asian and Oceanian airlines to dominate ultra-long-distance air travel, a sector that demands advanced aircraft, high fuel efficiency, and global route cooperation.
The new Shanghai–Buenos Aires connection will, for the first time, give travelers a seamless link between East Asia and South America, bypassing North American or European hubs entirely.
Analysts told DDM that this will likely boost bilateral relations, tourism, and trade between China and Argentina, aligning with Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) goals to strengthen infrastructure and transportation ties across continents.
As the countdown to December 4 continues, aviation enthusiasts are already calling the flight “a test of endurance for both machine and man.”
Once launched, the route will officially become the world’s longest commercial direct flight, stretching across hemispheres, cultures, and 12,500 miles of sky.