Chinese Airline Launches World’s Longest Flight Route

China Eastern Airlines has recently announced the launch of the “world’s longest flight route” between Shanghai and Buenos Aires, spanning a distance of 12,500 miles. The new flights, MU746 and MU745, are set to begin on December 4th.

Flight Details

The flights will take approximately 29 hours to complete, including a two-hour stop in Auckland, New Zealand. While passengers will not be able to leave the plane during the stopover, the journey will still be a record-breaking feat. The departing flight from Shanghai’s Pudong International Airport to Ministro Pistarini International Airport in Buenos Aires will take 25 hours, while the return leg will take 29 hours.

Aircraft and Ticket Prices

China Eastern will operate the route twice weekly using a wide-bodied Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft. Economy tickets for flights in December are currently priced between £1,130 and £1,670, with business class tickets priced at around £3,700.

Competing for the Longest Flight Route Title

While China Eastern’s new route will not secure the title of the longest non-stop flight, it will still hold the record for the longest flight route with a stopover. Currently, Singapore Airlines holds the record for the longest non-stop commercial flight between Singapore and JFK in New York, which takes between 18 and 19 hours. However, Australian airline Qantas plans to surpass this record with its “Project Sunrise” flights, which will take approximately 20 hours non-stop from Sydney to London and New York.

The Final Frontier of Long-Haul Travel

Qantas’ Project Sunrise has been in the works for over a decade and has faced several setbacks. However, the airline plans to unveil the long-haul flights in 2027, describing the London-Sydney route as “the final frontier of long-haul travel.

Other Airlines Claiming the Title

Many airlines have claimed the title of having the “world’s longest” flight routes. However, China Eastern’s new route from Shanghai to Buenos Aires will be the longest with a stopover and second longest non-stop flight route.

Conclusion

China Eastern’s announcement of the world’s longest flight route marks a significant milestone in the aviation industry. As technology advances and airlines continue to push the limits of long-haul travel, we can expect to see even longer flight routes in the future.