China Eastern Airlines has completed the world’s longest commercial flight, a 29-hour journey covering 12,400 miles from Shanghai to Buenos Aires. The flight, which departed Shanghai on 4 December at 2am local time, arrived 10 minutes ahead of schedule at Ezeiza International Airport at 4.45pm local time.
The route includes a stop in Auckland, New Zealand, for refuelling and crew rotation, meaning it does not qualify as the longest direct flight. However, the total duration of over 25 hours on the outbound leg and an additional four hours on the return makes it the longest commercial flight route globally.
The service, operated by a 316-seat Boeing 777-300ER, will run twice a week year-round. It aims to serve Argentina’s sizable East Asian diaspora, one of the country’s fastest-growing communities. China Eastern Airlines described the route as a “southbound corridor” connecting opposite ends of the Pacific and reshaping air travel between three continents.
The previous record holder was Singapore Airlines’ 19-hour service between New York and Singapore. Meanwhile, Qantas has announced plans for “Project Sunrise” flights between Sydney, London and New York, capable of flying up to 22 hours non-stop, with a target launch in 2027.
