The inauguration of the world’s longest flight has captured attention as it embarked on its maiden voyage, spanning an impressive 29 hours and covering a distance of 12,400 miles.

While the thought of spending over a day in the air might seem daunting to some, this development is a triumph for long-distance travelers who can now avoid layovers. The new route, launched by China Eastern Airlines on December 4, connects Shanghai directly to Buenos Aires.

Traveling from China to Argentina takes over 25 hours, while the return trip is slightly longer, clocking in at 29 hours.

Although the journey includes a brief two-hour stopover in Auckland, New Zealand, this milestone is a clear indication of the growing trend toward ultra-long-haul flights, which are flights that last 16 hours or more in a single stretch.

While the path isn’t direct – there’s a two-hour breather in Auckland, New Zealand – its introduction is another indicator that ultra-long flights (defined as over 16 hours or more in one go) are set to become increasingly common.

On December 4, passengers on the China to Argentina flight were seated on the jumbo 316-seat Boeing 777-300ER – a plane which will run twice a week year-round.

The flight left Shanghai Pudong International Airport at 2am local time and arrived at Ezeiza International Airport ten minutes ahead of schedule at 4.45pm local time.

China Eastern Airlines previously described the flight as ‘the world’s first commercial route connecting antipodal cities’.

Launched on December 4, the China Eastern Airlines route sets off from Shanghai and lands in Buenos Aires. The flight from China to Argentina takes more than 25 hours, with the return journey taking four hours longer (stock image)

‘The Shanghai Pudong-Auckland-Buenos Aires route is seen as an important measure to build a new “Air Silk Road” channel between Asia-Pacific and South America,’ the airline added.

Previously, it was reported that ticket prices for the new route are between £1,130 to £1,670 ($1,525 to $2,254) for economy. 

Business class is priced at around £3,700 ($4,994).

Before the new route, those wanting to travel between China and Argentina typically had to journey for more than 30 hours. 

The trip would usually involve connecting flights and layovers. 

More than 55,000 people born in China live in the South American country and comprise one of Argentina’s fastest-growing communities, according to data from Simply Flying.

In a statement, China Eastern said: ‘This new route fills the gap in direct flights between Shanghai and major South American cities.

‘It opens a “southbound corridor” connecting opposite ends of the Pacific and reshapes air travel between three continents.’

Qantas’ Project Sunrise launches in 2026, with new non-stop routes Sydney to London and Sydney to New York (Pictured: a cabin on board the airline’s A350-1000 aircraft)

As aviation technology improves, aircraft are lighter and more fuel-efficient, and 2026 will see Australian airline Qantas unveil more ultra-long-haul services, including a 20-hour non-stop flight between London and Sydney. 

Dubbed Project Sunrise, the name was inspired by WWII endurance flights, where those on board saw dawn more than once during one journey.

The bespoke version of the A350-1000 aircraft is set to be delivered in October 2026, with the first routes set to be Sydney to London and Sydney to New York, and the aircraft armed with additional fuel tanks to handle the roughly 10,500 miles between the two destinations. 

The airline currently already has one of the world’s longest direct flights, a 17-and-a-half-hour slog that connects London with Perth.