Historic Route: First Regular Direct Link Between China and Argentina

On December 4, 2025, China Eastern Airlines will launch MU 745—a twice-weekly service linking Shanghai, Auckland and Buenos Aires.

This 19 700 km journey, with just one stop, becomes the world’s longest single-stop flight. Passengers depart Shanghai at 2 a.m., arrive in Auckland at 6:30 p.m., then continue at 8:30 p.m. to land in Buenos Aires at 4:30 p.m., completing the trip in about 25½ hours.

The return flight, MU 746, leaves Buenos Aires at 2 a.m., reaches Auckland at 8:40 a.m. the next day, and touches down in Shanghai at 6:30 p.m., totaling 29 hours in the air.

China Eastern will deploy Boeing 777-300ERs with six first-class suites, 52 business seats and 258 economy seats. Fifth-freedom rights let the airline sell tickets between Auckland and Buenos Aires, tapping a market eager for direct South Pacific–South America connections.

Behind the scenes, this route reflects a strategic shift. Originally cleared in 2023 for a Madrid stopover, the airline opted for Auckland to shorten the path, avoid crowded Middle Eastern airspace and offer Chinese travelers visa-free New Zealand transit.

It also strengthens China Eastern’s SkyTeam partnerships—especially codeshares with Aerolíneas Argentinas at Ezeiza. For Latin America, the link offers faster ties to Asia’s largest economy.

Argentina could welcome over 100 000 Chinese visitors yearly. New Zealand expects an extra NZD 75 million in tourism revenue. Brazilian travelers gain an efficient one-stop itinerary to Shanghai.

More than a record-breaking flight, the “Southern Corridor” signals a new world of direct connections—reshaping travel, trade and diplomatic bridges across three continents. All figures and details are drawn from official airline notices and reputable aviation sources.