China Eastern Airlines has completed what is now regarded as the world’s longest commercial flight, a 29-hour journey spanning roughly 12,400 miles – almost half the circumference of the Earth.
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The service departed Shanghai at 2am local time on Thursday, 4 December, and landed at Buenos Aires’ Ezeiza International Airport at 4.45pm the same day, arriving ten minutes ahead of schedule.
Although the aircraft made a stop in Auckland, New Zealand, to refuel and change crew – meaning it does not qualify as the longest non-stop flight – the route itself is now recognised as the world’s longest commercial service.
The journey from China to Argentina takes just over 25 hours, with the return leg adding a further four, securing its place at the top of the global long-haul ranking. Celebrations marking the inaugural flight were held in Shanghai and Buenos Aires, while Auckland hosted a welcome ceremony during the stopover.
China Eastern confirmed that the 316-seat Boeing 777-300ER will operate the service twice a week throughout the year. The airline says the route aims to support Argentina’s growing East Asian diaspora, one of the fastest-expanding communities in the region.
“This new route bridges the gap in direct connections between Shanghai and major South American cities,” the carrier said in a statement. “It establishes a ‘southbound corridor’ linking distant points across the Pacific and reshapes air travel across three continents.”
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The achievement places China Eastern ahead of Singapore Airlines, whose 19-hour New York–Singapore service previously held the record for the world’s longest commercial route.
Meanwhile, Australian airline Qantas continues development of its ambitious “Project Sunrise”, which aims to introduce non-stop flights between Sydney, London and New York. These flights, expected to begin in 2027, would last up to 22 hours and cover more than 10,500 miles, supported by additional long-range fuel capacity.
