China Eastern Airlines will inaugurate, on December 4, 2025, an ultra-long direct route from Shanghai Pudong to Buenos Aires via Auckland, using a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.

Though there is a layover in Auckland, passengers will remain onboard under a single flight number, making it a direct service despite the stop.

The westbound leg is expected to take about 29 hours, covering approximately 12,229 miles (about 19,700 kilometers), while the return flight benefits from favorable winds and should take about 25.5 hours.

The route will operate twice weekly in each direction.

Economy class seats are 258 of the 316 total; the configuration includes First and Business cabins as well.

China Eastern officials say the service will restore a long-lost Asia–South America connection and stimulate trade, tourism, and passenger traffic between the regions.

It becomes the longest scheduled one-stop direct flight in the world by both distance and duration, surpassing prior record holders.