Around the world in 29 hours, longest-ever commercial flight takes off

BEIJING : The record-breaking flight, operated by China Eastern Airlines, departed Shanghai at 2 am local time on Thursday, December 4, and arrived in Buenos Aires at Ezeiza International Airport at 4.45 pm local time, touching down 10 minutes ahead of schedule. Covering an astonishing 12,400 miles, the journey travelled around half the circumference of the globe.

The flight made a scheduled stop in Auckland, New Zealand, for refuelling and crew rotation, meaning it does not qualify as the world’s longest direct flight. However, with a total journey time exceeding 25 hours, and an even longer return leg taking an additional four hours, it has earned the title of the world’s longest commercial flight route.

Celebrations marked the milestone across continents, with events held in Shanghai and Buenos Aires, while Auckland hosted a welcome ceremony for the arriving aircraft. The route will be operated using a 316-seat Boeing 777-300ER and will run twice a week throughout the year.

The service is aimed at serving Argentina’s growing East Asian diaspora, now one of the country’s fastest-expanding communities, while also strengthening air connectivity between Asia and South America. With its launch, the route overtakes Singapore Airlines’ 19-hour New York–Singapore service, which previously held the record for the longest commercial flight.

The achievement comes as airlines continue to push the boundaries of ultra-long-haul travel. Australian flag carrier Qantas has already announced plans for its “Project Sunrise” flights, proposing non-stop services between Sydney, London and New York. Expected to launch in 2027, the London–Sydney route would cover 10,573 miles and last up to 22 hours, described by the airline as “the final frontier of long-haul travel.”