China Eastern to Launch World’s Longest Direct Flight in December

China Eastern Airlines plans to set a new record for the world’s longest direct flight this December with a new service linking Shanghai and Buenos Aires. Covering more than 10,600 nautical miles (12,200 miles/19,631 km), the journey is scheduled to take about 25 hours and 30 minutes outbound and approximately 29 hours on the return leg. These extended flight times are due to prevailing headwinds on the return journey and the sheer length of the route, which will become the longest “direct” commercial flight in the world.

Although the route will include a stopover in Auckland, passengers traveling between Shanghai and Buenos Aires are expected to remain on board for the entire time. China Eastern has already put tickets on sale for the Boeing 777-300ER service, with one-way Economy Class fares starting at US$1,718 and Business Class seats priced from US$6,435.

The new route will surpass all existing records for direct flights. In aviation terms, a “direct” flight may include a stopover but keeps the same flight number and aircraft; passengers are not required to clear immigration or reclaim their luggage at the intermediate stop. By contrast, “non-stop” flights operate without any stopovers but are limited by aircraft range.

Currently, the world’s longest non-stop flight is Singapore Airlines’ 9,537-nautical-mile (10,975 miles/17,653 km) service between Singapore and New York JFK, which takes nearly 19 hours using specially configured ultra-long-range Airbus A350 aircraft with only Business and Premium Economy seats. Until December, the longest direct flight is Air China’s Beijing–Sao Paulo service via Madrid at 9,494 nautical miles (10,924 miles/17,583 km), followed by London–Sydney via Singapore at 9,274 nautical miles (10,671 miles/17,175 km).

China Eastern’s Shanghai–Buenos Aires route will be operated twice weekly. The outbound flight departs Mondays and Thursdays, while the return flight leaves Buenos Aires on Tuesdays and Fridays. The service is part of China’s efforts to strengthen diplomatic and commercial ties with South America, though demand is expected to be limited.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, paddleyourownkanoo.com