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Ultralong Route Connects Shanghai and Buenos Aires With Technical Stop in Auckland, Reduces Travel Time, Launches South Corridor Through the Pacific and Repositions China on the Global Commercial Aviation Map.
China Eastern Airlines started, on Thursday (4), the operation of a new connection between Shanghai and Buenos Aires, with a technical stop in Auckland, which is now considered the longest flight in the world in one direction.
With more than 20,000 kilometers in length and approximately 25 hours and 30 minutes of travel, the route establishes a new milestone in commercial aviation by connecting Asia, Oceania, and South America in a single journey.
The flight is operated by flight MU745, which departs from Pudong International Airport in Shanghai, crosses the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, and makes a stop of approximately two hours in Auckland, New Zealand, for refueling.
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Heading to Brazil in a Bonanza F33 single-engine aircraft: a couple departs from Florida on a visual flight, makes technical stops in the Caribbean to refuel and organize paperwork, and begins the staged crossing until they reach the country.
Passengers remain on board during the stop, keeping the flight number and the same aircraft, which characterizes the connection as a direct service, although it is not a non-stop flight.
New Air Corridor Between China and South America
Until now, traveling between major Chinese cities and South American destinations generally required connections in hubs in Europe, North America, or the Middle East, extending the total journey to nearly 30 hours.
The new route creates a south corridor through the Pacific, reducing travel time by about five hours compared to traditional routes via the Northern Hemisphere.
With the launch, China Eastern offers a shorter and more direct alternative for passengers and cargo between China and Argentina, as well as for connections to other countries in South America.
The airline describes the route as the longest direct commercial flight in the world in terms of distance covered under a single flight number, surpassing previously record-holding routes.
Frequency, Duration, and Characteristics of Flight MU745
Flight MU745 leaves Shanghai twice a week, on Mondays and Thursdays, and arrives in Buenos Aires in the afternoon of the same day, local time, after flying over the Pacific and the technical stop in Auckland.
In the opposite direction, flight MU746 departs from the Argentine capital on Tuesdays and Fridays, also with a stop in New Zealand before continuing to China.
The complete journey between Shanghai and Buenos Aires takes about 25 hours and 30 minutes, and can approach 26 hours depending on weather conditions.
The total distance exceeds 20,000 kilometers, placing the connection at the top of the world ranking of longest commercial flights in regular operation.
The journey is made on Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, configured for long-haul operations, with three classes of service and a capacity for over 300 passengers.
The cargo hold is adapted for the transport of high-value goods, catering to the demand for tourism, business travel, and the flow of goods between the two markets.
First Direct Connection Between China and Argentina
Although there is a stop in New Zealand, the new route is classified by China Eastern as the first direct air route between China and Argentina, as the entire journey is made under the same flight number and without changing aircraft.
The landing in Buenos Aires, at Ezeiza International Airport, on Thursday (4), was marked by an official reception and a traditional water cannon salute.
Authorities and representatives of the airline emphasized that the connection is expected to facilitate the movement of tourists, students, executives, and government delegations between the two countries.
Enhanced connectivity is also expected to benefit cooperation agreements in energy, infrastructure, agribusiness, and technology, areas that are gaining significance in bilateral relations.
Impact on the Global Map of Ultralong Routes
The creation of the Shanghai–Auckland–Buenos Aires corridor repositions China at the center of the ultralong routes in global aviation.
Flight MU745 now joins the group of connections that exceed 20 hours, alongside routes between Asia, Oceania, Europe, and North America.
The difference lies in the direct connection between Asia and South America, something that until now depended on multiple stops.
Prior to the debut, the longest crossings between South American countries and Chinese cities usually included stops in Madrid, Paris, Doha, Dubai, or North American airports.
Now, part of this flow can migrate to a service where the passenger boards in Shanghai and only disembarks upon arrival in Buenos Aires, even with a technical stop in between.
Experts believe that the new route accompanies the expansion of exchanges between China and Latin America.
Argentina seeks to increase exports of meats, grains, and derivatives, while Chinese companies are active in sectors such as automobiles, energy, and telecommunications.
This context increases demand for faster and more reliable air connections.
Regional Connections and Effects on Tourism
From Shanghai, MU745 integrates with the internal and international flight network of China Eastern and partner airlines, allowing connections to other major Chinese cities and Asian destinations.
On the Argentine side, the expectation is that agreements with local companies will expand the reach of the route to other South American hubs, offering itineraries with only one plane change on the continent.
In tourism, the new option may stimulate both the arrival of Chinese visitors to South America and the interest of South Americans in destinations in Asia and Oceania.
The possibility of traveling with just one technical stop reduces the risks of missed connections and makes the journey more competitive compared to traditional routes.
In a scenario of redesigning the international air network, the debut of MU745 creates a long-distance axis that may influence strategies of rival airlines and airports.
How can the consolidation of the longest flight in the world between Shanghai and Buenos Aires transform the experience of those traveling or doing business between the three continents?
Como a Terra é Plana esse voo é o mais lógico possível, só precisamos começar a usar o mapa da Terra Plana e confirmar a lógica.