SHANGHAI– China Eastern Airlines (MU) has announced the launch of a new long-haul service linking Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), China, with Buenos Aires, Argentina, via Auckland Airport (AKL), New Zealand, by the end of 2025.
The announcement was made during the 2025 North Bund International Aviation Forum in Shanghai, reflecting China Eastern’s growing international presence and its aim to lead among Chinese carriers in overseas destinations served.
China Eastern New Route
The new route will make the carrier the first mainland Chinese airline to operate passenger flights across all six inhabited continents, a major milestone in its expanding global network.
The upcoming service will connect Shanghai with Buenos Aires’ Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) through a single stop in Auckland (AKL). The total journey will span roughly 20,000 km (12,000 miles) and take about 25 to 29 hours, including the layover.
The flight is expected to operate twice a week starting in December 2025, using long-haul aircraft such as the Boeing 777-300ER, which seats approximately 316 passengers in a three-class configuration.
This expansion strengthens China Eastern’s intercontinental reach and provides a new air bridge between East Asia and South America.
The route will also revive a long-dormant link between New Zealand and Argentina, offering travelers a smoother, one-ticket connection between the two regions.
China Eastern’s Strategic Hub and Global Network
Shanghai Pudong continues to serve as China Eastern’s primary international hub. In 2024, the airline recorded 8.36 million international transfer passengers through the airport, representing more than 80% of its total transfer traffic.
The figure rose by 26.8% in the first half of 2025, underscoring the airport’s growing significance in global transit.
Since 2024, China Eastern (MU) has launched 23 new medium- and long-haul international routes, expanding its footprint to 21 countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative.
With the addition of Argentina, the carrier will now cover all six inhabited continents, reaffirming its leadership among Chinese airlines in terms of network size and connectivity.
Implications for Latin-America link
The new route will provide the first direct mainland China–South America service by a Chinese carrier, shortening travel time between the two continents and deepening bilateral trade, tourism, and cultural exchanges.
The Auckland stopover will act as a southern hemisphere bridge, easing airspace congestion and improving operational efficiency for the ultra-long route.
For Argentina and South America, this development signals a new phase of engagement with Asia’s aviation sector. Enhanced connectivity is expected to encourage greater visitor inflows, cargo exchange, and business partnerships between the two regions.
Bottom Line
China Eastern’s upcoming Shanghai–Auckland–Buenos Aires route represents a significant strategic achievement, enabling the airline to serve all inhabited continents while reinforcing Shanghai Pudong’s position as a premier global hub.
The new connection symbolizes not only the airline’s global ambition but also China’s deepening role in shaping intercontinental aviation networks.
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