The world’s longest direct flight will soon be available to the public, with China Eastern Airlines set to launch a service from Shanghai to Buenos Aires via Auckland
A record-shattering flight spanning an incredible 29 hours and covering a distance of 12,200 miles is set to be launched this winter. China Eastern Airlines is gearing up to offer the world’s longest direct flight, taking passengers from Shanghai in China to Buenos Aires in Argentina, with a pit stop in Auckland, New Zealand.
Seasoned travellers are no strangers to long-haul flights that can last up to 16 hours, such as the Singapore-New York route offered by Singapore Airlines. However, the new China-Argentina service is set to smash all records.
Departing from Shanghai, passengers will reach their destination in just under 26 hours, covering a staggering 12,229 miles. This includes a two-and-a-half-hour layover in New Zealand.
Despite the stopover, it’s still considered a direct flight because passengers won’t have to change planes and can keep their seats throughout the journey.
The return trip will take a whopping 29 hours, again with a stop in Auckland. The estimated cost for a one-way ticket ranges from £1,280 for Shanghai to Buenos Aires, to upwards of £1,400 for the Buenos Aires to Shanghai leg, although reports vary.
This new service outstrips the previous record-holder for the longest one-stop flight in the world – the Beijing-Sao Paolo route operated by China Airlines.
For those curious about which type of aircraft is best suited for such an epic journey, it’s thought that the honour will go to a plane such as the Boeing 777-300ER, which is classified as a long-range type.
Tickets are now on sale via the airline for flights due to commence on December 4. Offering First, Business and Economy class seats, the flights are set to run twice weekly, Mondays and Thursdays from China and Tuesdays and Fridays from Argentina.
The new flight could serve as “diplomatic and commercial gesture”, one that could potentially strengthen ties between South America and China whilst providing a fresh route away from Europe and the US.
Additionally, it could also prove to be a handy link between the regions for those wanting to avoid active conflict zones, as well as having the benefit of having fewer stops.
In other news, a travel expert has recently revealed a simple trick that could save you a massive amount of cash on your next holiday. Andrea Platania, a travel specialist at Transfeero, noted how people underestimate the advantages of traditional travel agents.
He explained: “Plenty of agents promise to beat any price you find online. If you present them with a screenshot of the fare you noticed, even if that price vanishes when you actually attempt to book, many will honour it and match the deal.
“I’ve employed this strategy numerous times when travelling globally, and I’ve genuinely saved hundreds of pounds. It’s such a minor step, but it can make a substantial difference.”