Longest Non-stop Airliner Journey - Tickets Sold by Chinese Airline for a 19,300-kilometer Trip
China Eastern Airlines and Qantas are making history in the aviation industry with their plans to operate the world's longest direct flights.
Starting from December 4th, China Eastern Airlines will offer a 29-hour direct flight from Buenos Aires to Shanghai on their Boeing 777-300. This flight, with an approximate distance of 19,300 kilometers, will require a refueling stop midway. In contrast, the flight from Shanghai to Buenos Aires will be slightly faster.
Meanwhile, Qantas is aiming to break these records with Project Sunrise. The Australian airline plans to offer nonstop flights from Sydney to New York and London using an Airbus A350-1000. The New York route will be approximately 6,440 kilometers longer than the one to Singapore, currently operated by Singapore Airlines with a flight time of almost 19 hours. The London route, under Project Sunrise, will take the top spot, at almost 17,059 kilometers.
The first aircraft for Project Sunrise is expected to arrive in 2026. However, there is no information available yet about who will set the record for the longest uninterrupted flight in 2026.
Upgrading to business class for a flat bed during these long flights will cost at least $5,000 (€4,257). One-way economy tickets for the December flights on China Eastern are advertised on their website for prices ranging from $1,538 to $2,270 (€1,309 to €1,933).
The current record holder for the longest direct flight is Air China Flight 897, which operates from Beijing via Madrid to São Paulo. This flight, while impressive, will be surpassed by the flights offered by China Eastern and Qantas.
Passengers on the China Eastern flight from Buenos Aires to Shanghai will have a two-hour stopover in Auckland, New Zealand, but they will not have the opportunity to disembark.
China Eastern 746, the world's longest direct flight, is scheduled for Tuesdays and Fridays, providing passengers with more opportunities to experience this groundbreaking journey. China Eastern 745 will depart every Monday and Thursday.
These developments in aviation technology and route planning are opening up new possibilities for long-distance travel, making the world a smaller place.
