China Eastern Plots exciting 29-Hour Marathon Flight from Shanghai to Buenos Aires

China Eastern Plots exciting 29-Hour Marathon Flight from Shanghai to Buenos Aires

Move over Netflix marathons—China Eastern Airlines just redefined the meaning of a long haul. Starting 4 December 2025, the carrier will launch what it’s proudly calling the “world’s longest direct flight”: a Shanghai–Buenos Aires service that clocks in at up to 29 hours. Yes, you read that right—29. That’s practically enough time to watch all three extended editions of The Lord of the Rings and squeeze in a nap.

So How Does It Work?

The new service will run twice a week on a Boeing 777-300ER. It’s being branded as “direct,” which technically means there’s a two-hour stop in Auckland—so it’s not quite a nonstop, but don’t ruin the marketing team’s fun.

The quirky part is the southerly flight path. Instead of the usual zigzag over the Pacific or Atlantic, the route takes a scenic detour skimming near Antarctica. According to China Eastern, this unusual loop shaves at least four hours off what the trip would otherwise take. Think of it as the airline’s way of giving you a free aerial tour of the icy bottom of the globe. Penguins not included.

Antipodal Cities, Meet the Air Silk Road

One of the big talking points? This flight connects two antipodal cities—meaning they’re almost directly opposite each other on the planet. Shanghai on one side, Buenos Aires on the other. Until now, if you wanted to go from one to the other, your options involved multiple layovers, a lot of patience, and probably a meltdown in some airport lounge.

China Eastern is marketing this as a shiny new link in its “Air Silk Road”, positioning the route as a bold connection between Asia-Pacific and South America. In other words, it’s not just about getting tourists to tango in Buenos Aires or sip Malbec in Mendoza—it’s also about boosting trade, business, and bragging rights.

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But Wait… Is It Really the Longest?

Here’s where aviation geeks get a bit fussy. While this Shanghai–Buenos Aires flight may be the longest in terms of scheduled duration (hello, 29 hours), it’s not the longest nonstop. That crown still belongs to Singapore Airlines’ Singapore–New York JFK service, which takes about 18 hours to cover 15,349 km without stopping.

Meanwhile, Qantas is also in the game with its ambitious Project Sunrise, aiming for future nonstop flights from Sydney to London. Translation: the title of “world’s longest” is more complicated than it sounds, depending on whether you measure by hours, kilometers, or number of sore backsides.

What This Means for Passengers

So, what’s it like to be on a plane for 29 hours?

• Entertainment: Hope you like your in-flight system, because you’ll run out of movies around the halfway mark. Pro tip: bring a good book. Maybe several.
• Food: With a two-hour layover in Auckland, you’ll have the rare chance to stretch, re-caffeinate, and brag on social media: “Halfway to Argentina—still alive.”
• Sleep Strategy: Do not—repeat, do not—start off with an energy drink in Shanghai. You’ll regret it somewhere over Antarctica.

On the bright side, imagine the conversations: “What did you do this week?” “Oh, nothing much, just spent 29 hours on a plane flying halfway across the planet.”

Why It Matters

For China Eastern, this isn’t just about passenger bragging rights. It’s about strengthening ties between China and Latin America, two regions that are increasingly trading goods, talent, and tourism. For travelers, it’s about skipping the hassle of three connections and instead signing up for one mega-journey that’s part endurance test, part global adventure.

And for the rest of us? It’s about marveling at the fact that while we complain about a three-hour flight delay, some people are willingly signing up for nearly 30 hours in the sky.

The Bottom Line

China Eastern’s new Shanghai–Buenos Aires route is bold, unusual, and just a little bit crazy—in other words, it’s perfect for the age of aviation one-upmanship. Sure, it’s not technically the world’s longest nonstop, but with its Antarctica-skimming path, 29-hour schedule, and status as the first direct link between two opposite ends of the globe, it’s nothing short of epic.

So buckle up, stretch often, and bring extra patience. Because by the time you land, you won’t just be in a new time zone—you’ll practically be in a new universe.