Nearly 30 hours stuck in a middle seat. That’s what some passengers will be required to endure when China Eastern Airlines launches a record-breaking direct flight between Buenos Aires and Shanghai this December.
The 12,000-mile journey, set to begin on December 4, 2025, pushes the limits of ultra-long-haul travel and raises questions about how airlines, crews, and passengers will cope with such an extraordinary trip.
The flight will be operated with China Eastern’s Boeing 777-300ER fleet, with the ER aptly signifying “Extended Range.” It will depart Buenos Aires, make a two- to two-and-a-half-hour stop in Auckland, New Zealand, and then continue on to Shanghai. Passengers will remain on board during the Auckland layover, and therefore the route will be categorized as a “direct” flight rather than “nonstop.”
Still, at roughly 29 hours, the Buenos Aires-Shanghai journey will surpass the current record holder, Air China’s Beijing-São Paulo route via Madrid, by about three hours. The return flight will benefit from prevailing tailwinds and is scheduled at roughly 25.5 hours.
Both services will operate twice weekly: Shanghai departures on Mondays and Thursdays, and Buenos Aires departures on Tuesdays and Fridays, according to the airline.
Fares reflect the extreme length of the trip. Business Insider reports economy prices ranging from $1,538 to $2,270. Business-class tickets are listed at $5,000 to $6,400, providing lie-flat beds and premium service — welcome offerings for a flight of such extraordinary length.
International aviation regulations strictly limit how long flight crews can remain on duty. To comply with crew duty and rest time rules, China Eastern will staff these flights with multiple sets of pilots and cabin crew. The Boeing 777-300ER is equipped with crew rest areas, allowing pilots and flight attendants to rotate off-duty, sleep, and return-to-duty shifts later in the flight.
On a journey of this length, three or even four full crews may be required.
Passengers face their own challenges. Long-haul flights already carry risks such as dehydration and deep vein thrombosis, a potentially life-threatening condition caused by sitting for too long, when dangerous blood clots can form typically in the thigh or calf. At 29 hours, the risks and discomfort multiply. Airlines typically encourage travelers to move around, stretch, and drink plenty of water, but turbulence and cabin services can limit mobility.
Keeping passengers and crew well fed for nearly 30 hours is a logistical puzzle as well. Airlines usually load extra meals and drinks in advance, but the Auckland stop will allow China Eastern to replenish supplies mid-journey if necessary.
Although the Boeing 777-300ER has long range, it cannot cover 12,000 miles nonstop with a full payload. The Auckland stopover makes the flight technically feasible while still offering the convenience of a single flight number.
The airline must also meet ETOPS (extended twin-engine operations) requirements, which mandate that diversion airports remain within range on long segments over the ocean. That makes thorough pre-flight checks and maintenance planning especially critical.
The distinction between direct and nonstop is key. Singapore Airlines continues to hold the record for the longest nonstop flight — nearly 19 hours between New York and Singapore. Qantas, meanwhile, plans to launch its “Project Sunrise” flights in 2026, linking Sydney with London and New York nonstop at around 20 hours.
Still, no other passenger service has attempted what China Eastern is about to offer: nearly 29 continuous hours on a single aircraft under one flight number. For passengers, it promises bragging rights — and likely some sore backs.
