Shanghai to Buenos Aires: China Eastern Launches World’s Longest One-Way Flight

​In a significant expansion of its global network, China Eastern Airlines has launched what it claims is the world's longest one-way flight, a massive route connecting Shanghai, China, with Buenos Aires, Argentina. The new service, which commenced on December 4, 2025, sets a new benchmark for long-haul travel, spanning approximately 20,000 kilometers and dramatically reshaping air connectivity between Asia and South America.

​Reshaping the Asia-South America Travel Corridor

​The new route, designated as Flight MU745, operates from Shanghai Pudong International Airport and includes a necessary stopover in Auckland, New Zealand, before completing its journey to the Argentine capital. This strategy leverages a "southbound corridor" flight path across the Pacific Ocean, offering several critical advantages over previous travel options.

​Historically, flights between China and major South American cities required lengthy transits through Europe or North America. These "northern routes" often forced travelers into journeys lasting around 30 hours or more, plagued by complicated logistics and extended layovers.

​The new China Eastern route shaves off significant time, reducing the total travel duration between China and South America by more than four hours, bringing the journey down to roughly 25 hours. This makes the connection significantly more convenient and faster for passengers, particularly those in the business and trade sectors.

​Strategic and Economic Significance

​The launch of this ultra-long-haul flight carries substantial strategic and economic weight for both China and South America:

​Direct Market Access: It fills a major gap in direct flight services from Shanghai to key South American cities, bolstering direct business, tourism, and diplomatic ties between the two continents.

​Global Hub Status: The route enhances Shanghai's position as a major global aviation hub, capable of managing and linking intercontinental traffic flows across vast distances.

​Trade Facilitation: Shortening the distance and time creates a more robust air bridge, which is essential for supporting the rapidly expanding trade and commerce under initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative (B&R) that seek to strengthen global connectivity.

​The flight is scheduled to operate two round-trip services per week, a frequency designed to cater to the growing demand for efficient travel options across the Southern Hemisphere. By establishing this vital link, China Eastern is not just achieving a world record for flight distance, but is also strategically pioneering a more efficient transport network that benefits passengers and trade across three continents: Asia, Oceania, and South America.