China Eastern Airlines has inaugurated what it says is the world’s longest one-way commercial flight, a roughly 20,000-kilometer journey connecting Shanghai with Buenos Aires through a stopover in Auckland, according to information released by the airline and reported by the Global Times. Flight MU745 departed Shanghai Pudong International Airport early Thursday, marking the debut of a route that crosses both the Eastern and Western Hemispheres as well as the Northern and Southern Hemispheres — an aviation milestone that reshapes air links between Asia and South America.
The carrier said the route will operate twice weekly and establishes a new “southbound corridor” across the Pacific, filling a longstanding gap in direct connections between Shanghai and major South American destinations. Beyond its record-setting distance, the flight also shortens total travel time between China and South America by more than four hours. Passengers who previously relied on northern transit hubs in Europe or North America can now expect the journey to take around 25 hours instead of the typical 30.
China Eastern emphasized that the extreme length of the route has historically made non-stop flights between the two regions impractical due to aircraft performance limits. By routing south through Auckland, the airline is able to offer a faster, more efficient link that significantly improves connectivity among Asia, Oceania and South America. According to the company, the southern pathway offers shorter overall segment lengths and more streamlined transfers, making it a strategically important addition to global aviation networks.
With the launch of MU745, China Eastern positions itself at the forefront of ultra-long-haul operations, introducing a route that not only expands China’s international reach but also strengthens commercial and cultural ties across three continents.
