A Chinese airline launched the world's longest one-way flight in the early hours of Thursday, the Global Times learned.

China Eastern Airlines flight MU745 took off from Shanghai Pudong International Airport, heading to Auckland, New Zealand and ultimately destined for Buenos Aires, Argentina. Spanning approximately 20,000 kilometres and crossing both the Eastern and Western Hemispheres as well as the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, the route sets a new record for the world's longest one-way flight, the airline said in a press release sent to the Global Times on Thursday. It also shortens the travel time between China and South America by more than four hours.

The newly launched route is scheduled to operate two round-trip flights per week. In addition to achieving the longest flight distance globally, it fills the gap in direct flights from Shanghai to major South American cities, establishes a "southbound corridor" flight path across the Pacific Ocean, and reshapes air travel connectivity among three continents.

Due to the very long route distances and aircraft performance limits, direct flights between China and South America currently require transit stops, the airline said. The new route utilizes a "southern corridor" with a stopover in Auckland. Compared with the previous "northern route" which routed through Europe or North America, the new route reduces travel time from about 30 hours to roughly 25, offering both shorter flights and more convenient connections, according to the airline. (Global Times)

• China Eastern Airlines flight MU745 is pictured at Shanghai Pudong International Airport before heading for Buenos Aires, Argentina, on December 4, 2025. Photo: Courtesy of China Eastern Airlines