Overview

• Billed as the world’s longest “direct” passenger flight, the approximately 12,229‑mile service will link Shanghai, Auckland and Buenos Aires under a single flight number.
• Flights begin December 4 and run twice weekly in each direction on Boeing 777‑300ERs with multiple crews, with block times of about 25.5 hours eastbound and 29 hours westbound.
• Each leg includes a roughly two‑hour stop in Auckland, and coverage differs on whether through passengers will remain on board or be allowed to deplane.
• China Eastern holds fifth‑freedom rights on the Auckland–Buenos Aires sector, enabling point‑to‑point bookings and reviving a New Zealand–Argentina connection.
• December one‑way fares currently show roughly $1,538–$2,270 in economy and $5,000+ in business, as New Zealand projects about NZ$48 million in additional annual visitor spend and eases transit visas for Chinese travelers.