Bei Jing Ri Bao Ke Hu Duan·2025-12-04 05:04Core Viewpoint - China Eastern Airlines has launched a new direct flight route from Shanghai to Buenos Aires, filling a gap in direct flights between Shanghai and key cities in South America, and establishing a "Southbound Corridor" connecting the two regions [1][3]. Group 1: Flight Details - The new route, which connects Shanghai, Auckland, and Buenos Aires, is the world's first commercial flight route linking antipodal cities and sets a record for the longest one-way flight [3]. - The flight operates using a Boeing 777-300ER, with the outbound flight MU745 departing Shanghai every Monday and Thursday at 2:00 AM, and arriving in Buenos Aires after a 2-hour and 25-minute stop in Auckland [3]. - The return flight MU746 departs Buenos Aires every Tuesday and Friday at 2:00 AM, with a similar stop in Auckland, arriving back in Shanghai the next day at 6:00 PM [3]. Group 2: Operational Efficiency - The new route optimizes the previous travel options that required layovers in Europe or North America, reducing the travel time from nearly 30 hours to approximately 25 hours [3]. - New Zealand's government has announced that starting November 2025, travelers with Chinese passports can transit through Auckland without needing a transit visa, simplifying the travel process [4]. - China Eastern Airlines has adopted an "all-in-one" operational model, allowing passengers to continue their journey to Argentina without changing planes during the brief stop in Auckland [4]. Group 3: Cultural and Economic Impact - The inaugural flight features the "Guobiao" themed aircraft, designed in collaboration with the National Museum of China, showcasing significant cultural artifacts from Chinese history [4]. - The new route is expected to enhance trade logistics for high-value agricultural products and precision instruments among China, New Zealand, and Argentina [5]. - A new direct shipping channel for fresh produce from Argentina to China has also been established, with the return flight carrying 2.1 tons of cherries and 10.5 tons of fresh salmon back to China [5].