Auckland Airport at the heart of China Eastern’s new Shanghai-Auckland-Buenos Aires service – world’s longest direct flight

•    One of the world’s longest direct flights — up to 29 hours end to end, linking Asia, Oceania and South America through Auckland
•    First-ever air link between China and South America, operated by China Eastern Airlines
•    Two flights a week, connecting Shanghai, Auckland and Buenos Aires — three continents, one seamless journey
•    NZ–South America air trade worth NZ$129 million in the past year, up 11% year-on-year (October 2025)
•    Around 40,000 South Americans now call New Zealand home — strengthening cultural, tourism and family connections across the Pacific.
 
New Zealand’s role as a vital connector between Asia and the Americas reached a new milestone today, with China Eastern Airlines launching one of the world’s longest direct flights – a Shanghai–Auckland–Buenos Aires service.

Auckland Airport Chief Executive Carrie Hurihanganui said the route brings tangible benefits for New Zealand’s visitor economy, business sector and global engagement.

“This is a strategic and important connection for New Zealand because it deepens our aviation links with China and re-establishes our direct access to Buenos Aires, Argentina. It strengthens global mobility for travellers, opens new opportunities for exporters and education providers, and supports a more resilient, diversified aviation network for the country.”

The new service links China Eastern’s mega hub at Shanghai Pudong Airport with Auckland Airport and onwards to Buenos Aires Ezeiza Airport. Announced in June 2025 at a ceremony in Shanghai attended by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston, the twice-weekly flight marks China Eastern’s first connection between China and South America.

The full journey takes around 25.5 hours from Shanghai to Buenos Aires and up to 29 hours on the return, including a scheduled two-hour stop in Auckland where travellers disembark to transit for the onward journey or stop if New Zealand is their destination. The airline classifies it as a single direct service — placing Auckland at the heart of one of the most ambitious long-haul links in global aviation.

Ms Hurihanganui said the new route reflects a long-standing and trusted partnership between Auckland Airport and China Eastern.

“China Eastern has been a valued airline partner for more than a decade, steadily growing its presence in New Zealand since first entering the market in 2014. Today it’s the largest Chinese carrier operating to New Zealand, connecting Auckland with four cities – Shanghai, Hangzhou, Sydney and Buenos Aires – across three continents. This new route further strengthens our partnership and opens the door to commercial, cultural and tourism opportunities across all three regions.”

The new link is expected to deliver significant benefits for tourism, trade and education. In the past year, travel between New Zealand and South America reached about 94,000 passengers — around two-thirds of pre-pandemic levels — highlighting substantial room for growth. Air trade between New Zealand and South America totalled NZ$129 million in the year to October 2025, up 11 per cent on the previous year.

The service is also expected to attract high-value visitors from both China and Argentina, while giving New Zealanders a competitive travel option to South America. About 40,000 South Americans now call New Zealand home, forming a strong base for visiting-friends-and-relatives travel.

Ms Hurihanganui said the new connection aligns with Auckland Airport’s broader ambition to position New Zealand as a globally relevant travel and trade hub.

“We’re investing to ensure Auckland is an efficient, future-ready international gateway — from expanded aircraft stands and taxiways to the major terminal upgrades now underway ahead of our new domestic jet terminal opening in 2029. These developments help ensure we can support long-haul airline partners like China Eastern and deliver a fast, seamless transit experience.”

China Eastern Airlines Chairman Wang Zhiqing said: “Every December, while the northern hemisphere shivers in winter, the southern hemisphere bursts with warmth and energy — and right at the heart of that excitement is Auckland!

“It’s not just New Zealand’s gateway to the world, but now a dynamic hub connecting Asia and South America, bringing continents, cultures, and people closer than ever. From here, travellers can embark on an exciting journey from Shanghai to Buenos Aires via Auckland, the first-ever direct air link between China and South America.

“This route is more than a flight — it’s a symbol of cooperation, exchange, and friendship between China and South America, opening new opportunities for tourism, business, and cultural exchange.”

Ms Hurihanganui said today’s launch is the culmination of years of collaboration between China Eastern, Auckland Airport, government partners and other stakeholders.

“We’ve worked closely to restore and expand long-haul connectivity, and today’s milestone shows what’s possible when airlines, airports and governments align around a shared ambition. We’re proud to welcome this new service and look forward to seeing it thrive.”

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown joins today’s departure flight from Auckland to Buenos Aires, underscoring the importance of this new connection for the city and the wider region.