China Eastern to Launch Shanghai–Buenos Aires Route via Auckland

China Eastern Airlines has announced the launch of a new intercontinental route connecting Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) to Buenos Aires-Ezeiza (EZE), with a stopover in Auckland (AKL). Set to begin in December 2025, this service will mark the longest route in the world with a single stop, spanning nearly 19,000 kilometers.

The new Shanghai–Buenos Aires flight will build on China Eastern’s existing daily Shanghai–Auckland service, which has been in operation for over a decade. For the extended leg to Argentina, the airline will upgrade its aircraft from an Airbus A330-200 to a Boeing 777-300ER, which features 316 seats across First, Business, and Economy classes. This marks a significant capacity boost and a step forward in enhancing China–South America connectivity.

Originally approved in 2023 as a twice-weekly service via Madrid, the carrier has now opted for a Pacific routing. The Auckland–Buenos Aires leg will become the only nonstop Trans-Pacific connection between Argentina and the Asia-Pacific region, offering travelers a unique intercontinental option in the southern hemisphere.

According to Cirium, only two other airlines currently operate scheduled flights between South America and Australasia—Qantas between Sydney and Santiago, and LATAM between Santiago and several Australian and New Zealand cities.

Auckland Airport CEO Carrie Hurihanganui welcomed the move, noting the route’s importance in helping restore long-haul connectivity to pre-pandemic levels. China Eastern’s new service is expected to support tourism and business ties across Asia, Oceania, and South America.

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