China Eastern Airlines has marked a major milestone in long-haul aviation with the launch of what it is billing as the world’s longest passenger flight, linking Shanghai Pudong with Buenos Aires via Auckland.
The inaugural PVG–AKL–EZE service took to the skies on 4 December 2025, operated by a Boeing 777-300ER, opening a new and highly strategic air bridge between Asia, Oceania and South America.
The Auckland–Buenos Aires leg operates twice weekly, departing Auckland every Monday and Thursday, with return services leaving Buenos Aires on Tuesdays and Fridays. The new route positions Auckland as a critical transit hub for ultra-long-haul travel and provides Australian travellers with an additional option to access South America.
China Eastern’s Boeing 777-300ER is configured with three cabins, including six First Class suites featuring full-flat beds, a Business Class cabin in a 1-2-1 layout with direct aisle access and fully flat beds, and Economy Class. The product brings a full-service long-haul offering to a market that has historically relied on limited routing options.
For Australian passengers, the service can be accessed via China Eastern’s direct Sydney–Auckland flights before connecting to the Auckland–Buenos Aires sector. Alternatively, travellers can fly from Australia to Auckland with Qantas (including MU codeshare services), Air New Zealand or Jetstar, and then connect to China Eastern’s NU745 service to Buenos Aires.
To support trade awareness and education, China Eastern partnered with Flight Centre to host a small group of Australia-based agents on the inaugural flight, including a short stay in Buenos Aires. The initiative aimed to give frontline sellers first-hand experience of the product and the destination.
Sydney-based Flight Centre agent Malik, who travelled on the inaugural service, described the experience as a standout. “Buenos Aires was on my bucket list well before this trip,” he said. “Thanks to China Eastern, Chimu and Flight Centre, I was able to live out this bucket list dream – and it was phenomenal.”
Malik said the airline’s onboard experience exceeded expectations. “China Eastern operates like most other airlines with meals, entertainment and a generous baggage allowance, but it was refreshing to be on board with a friendly crew and a clean and tidy aircraft.”
From a sales perspective, Malik believes the new route fills a significant gap in the market. “We have a large South American community wanting to visit home, as well as Australians keen to explore the continent,” he said. “China Eastern offers a more budget-conscious option and allows customers to avoid lengthy and often difficult layovers in Santiago or the US.”
He added that the included baggage allowance was a key selling point for visiting-friends-and-relatives travellers and said the experience had given him strong confidence to promote China Eastern’s Australia–Auckland–Buenos Aires services.
“The key message is simple,” Malik said. “If customers need a better route at a more budget-friendly price, China Eastern is the new kid on the block offering the right services for the right price.”
