Passengers Celebrate Auckland Stop on World’s Longest Flight

Passengers on the inaugural journey of what has been labeled the “world’s longest direct flight” expressed gratitude for their brief stopover in Auckland. The service, operated by China Eastern Airlines, connects Shanghai to Buenos Aires and landed in Auckland just after 18:00 on Thursday. This twice-weekly flight offers travelers a two-hour respite in New Zealand, allowing them to recharge before continuing on their journey.

The total flight time from China to Argentina exceeds twenty-five hours, while the return journey takes an additional four hours. Yi Zhu, a resident of Shanghai visiting South America for the first time, appreciated the opportunity to rest in Auckland. “I think two hours is not too long, and we can have some rest,” he noted. “It’s good because we can prepare well for the next trip.”

Welcoming Ceremony at Auckland Airport

A welcoming ceremony took place at Auckland Airport following the arrival of the flight. Notable attendees included Tourism Minister Louise Upston, Immigration Minister Erica Stanford, Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown, Chinese Ambassador to New Zealand Wang Xiaolong, and executives from both Auckland Airport and China Eastern Airlines.

Minister Upston emphasized the importance of enhanced air connectivity for New Zealand’s economic future. “We are very firmly focused on growing tourism beyond 2019 levels, and China Eastern’s Southern Link marks a new milestone for New Zealand as a tourism and trade gateway,” she stated. Minister Stanford added that Chinese passengers transiting through New Zealand can now utilize the New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) without needing to apply for a separate transit visa, a policy designed to bolster New Zealand’s economic prospects.

Mayor Wayne Brown welcomed the updated visa requirements for Chinese visitors, highlighting the economic advantages of the new service. “It’s a link between two big economies, via our small economy, and we will gain from it,” he said.

Positive Reception from Passengers

The new China Eastern service has been well-received by passengers. Yi Zhu remarked that transiting through New Zealand without requiring a separate visa makes the journey more appealing for Chinese travelers. Emilio del Campo, who has been living in China for the past six months, described the route as the fastest way to return to his home country.

According to statistics from Auckland Airport, travel between New Zealand and South America rebounded to approximately 94,000 passengers last year, which is around two-thirds of the numbers seen prior to the pandemic. Furthermore, air trade between New Zealand and South America reached $129 million in the year ending in October 2025, marking an 11 percent increase from the previous year.

Carrie Hurihanganui, chief executive of Auckland Airport, noted that the new service is expected to attract high-value visitors from both China and Argentina, while also providing New Zealanders with additional travel options to South America. The introduction of this service represents a significant step forward in enhancing international connectivity for New Zealand, with far-reaching implications for both tourism and trade.