A new aviation milestone has been reached with the launch of the world’s longest passenger flight, a marathon journey lasting up to 29 hours and covering around 12,427 miles (nearly 20,000 kilometres). The 29-hour journey connects Shanghai, China, with Buenos Aires, Argentina, linking two cities on opposite sides of the globe.
For passengers, it is a journey that pushes the limits of long-haul travel, involving a single aircraft, one flight number, and a scheduled stop along the way rather than a plane change. The service, operated by China Eastern Airlines, officially began in December 2025.
Although not a non-stop flight, it is considered a “direct” service because passengers remain on the same aircraft for the entire journey. The aircraft only pauses briefly in Auckland for refuelling, cleaning, and crew changes.
The stop in Auckland is relatively short, lasting around two hours. During this time, passengers can stretch their legs while the aircraft is serviced and prepared for the next leg of the journey across the Pacific.
This midpoint also allows the airline to operate one of the few commercial routes connecting the Pacific region directly with South America.
The route is flown using the Boeing 777-300ER, one of the longest-range twin-engine aircraft in commercial service.
The Shanghai–Buenos Aires service is now considered the longest one-stop passenger flight in the world. It also represents the first commercial air link between two almost exact antipodes, points directly opposite each other on the globe.
The flight operates twice a week in each direction. Westbound journeys from Shanghai are generally shorter, taking around 25 hours, while eastbound return flights can stretch closer to 29 hours.
The schedule includes overnight departures and extended layovers in Auckland before continuing to the final destination.
Although this route now holds the record for the longest one-stop flight, it is not the longest non-stop journey in the world. That title currently belongs to Singapore Airlines who runs a 19-hour flight from Singapore to New York without stopping.
China Eastern Airlines offers airline tickets and flights to over 1000 destinations in 177 countries worldwide.
