The world’s longest commercial nonstop route officially launched today

At 02:19 on 4 December (China time), China Eastern flight MU745 lifted off from Shanghai Pudong International Airport carrying 282 passengers. After a technical stop in Auckland, the Boeing 777-300ER will continue to Buenos Aires, Argentina—covering roughly 20,000 km and rewriting the record for the longest single-sector flight.

The new weekly service (two round-trips per week) bridges East and West, North and South, and lops more than four hours off the traditional China–South America journey that previously required connections in Europe, the Middle East or North America.

By routing passengers and cargo across the Pacific via Auckland, the “South-Path Corridor” is both shorter and timed to exploit New Zealand’s transit-without-visa policy and minimal jet-lag. The service also holds fifth-freedom rights, allowing the carrier to pick up and drop off passengers and freight in Auckland—hailed by aviation analysts as the most lucrative traffic right.

For travellers, the one-aircraft concept eliminates interlining and long layovers; inaugural load factor was near 100 %. For shippers, Argentine beef and New Zealand wine can now reach Shanghai faster, while Chinese electronics and consumer goods move direct to Latin America.

China’s international network now covers 83 countries and more than 200 city-pairs with over 900 daily flights. During the 2025-26 winter season, 73.5 % of international seats are to Belt and Road partners, and passenger volume to Latin America and Africa is up 32 % and 26 % respectively versus last year, underpinning trade, tourism and business ties.