China Eastern Airlines Offers World’s Longest Direct Flight

China Eastern Airlines is now offering tickets for the world’s longest direct flight, which will take travelers from Buenos Aires, Argentina to Shanghai, China. This incredible journey will take a total of 29 hours, with a stopover in Auckland, New Zealand.

The Flight Details

The flight will be operated by a Boeing 777-300, known for its long-range capabilities. However, due to the 12,000-mile distance, a stopover is required. The flight will have a two-hour layover in Auckland, but passengers will not have the opportunity to leave the plane.

The Cost

Tickets for this extraordinary flight come at a high price. One-way economy tickets in December range from $1,538 to $2,270. For those looking for a more comfortable journey, business class tickets start at $5,000.

Flight Schedule

The outbound flight, China Eastern 745, will operate twice a week on Mondays and Thursdays, starting on December 4. The return flight, China Eastern 746, will take place on Tuesdays and Fridays. The outbound flight from Shanghai to Buenos Aires will take approximately 25 and a half hours, while the return flight will be slightly faster due to favorable winds.

Record-Breaking Flight

This flight will break the record for the longest direct flight, currently held by Air China Flight 897, which travels from Beijing to São Paulo. However, it is important to note that there is a distinction between direct and non-stop flights.

Direct vs.

Direct flights have a stopover but do not require passengers to change planes. Non-stop flights, on the other hand, travel directly from one destination to another without any stopovers. Singapore Airlines currently holds the record for the longest non-stop flight, which takes travelers from New York to Singapore in nearly 19 hours.

Future Plans

However, both of these records are set to be broken in 2026 when Qantas, an Australian airline, launches two non-stop flights to the US and UK. These flights, nicknamed “Project Sunrise,” will use an Airbus A350-1000 and will travel from Sydney to New York and London. The London route will take the title for the longest non-stop flight, covering a distance of nearly 10,600 miles and taking approximately 20 hours.

Innovative Stories from Business Insider

Business Insider is proud to share the most innovative stories with our readers. Stay tuned for more exciting developments in the world of air travel.