On 30 October 2025, China Eastern Airlines (MU), which was one of the topmost carriers of mainland China this year, announced that it will inaugurate a new route by year-end connecting Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) with Argentina via New Zealand, becoming the first airline based in mainland China to provide passenger services on all six inhabited continents. This historic made at the 2025 North Bund International Aviation Forum in Shanghai.
China Eastern Airlines: carrier profile
| Attribute | Data |
|---|---|
| Base | Shanghai, People’s Republic of China |
| Fleet size | 672 |
| Hubs | Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) |
| Founded | 1988 (merged with Shanghai Airlines etc) |
| International expansions | 23 new medium/long-haul routes since 2024 |
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China Eastern’s Route details into Argentina, Latin America
Scheduled to commence in December 2025, the service will operate twice weekly, using a Boeing 777‑300ER and covering approximately 19,700 km with a single transit stop in Auckland. It is a 29-hour flight.
| Route | Day(s) | Flight No. | From (Airport Code) | Departure Time | Arrival Time | To (Airport Code) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai – Auckland – Buenos Aires | Monday | MU 745 | Shanghai (PVG) | 02:00 | 18:30 | Auckland (AKL) |
| Monday | MU 745 | Auckland (AKL) | 20:30 | 16:30 | Buenos Aires (EZE) | |
| Shanghai – Auckland – Buenos Aires | Thursday | MU 745 | Shanghai (PVG) | 02:00 | 18:30 | Auckland (AKL) |
| Thursday | MU 745 | Auckland (AKL) | 20:55 | 16:55 | Buenos Aires (EZE) | |
| Buenos Aires – Auckland – Shanghai | Tuesday, Friday | MU 746 | Buenos Aires (EZE) | 02:00 | 08:40+1 | Auckland (AKL) |
| Tuesday, Friday | MU 746 | Auckland (AKL) | 10:40+1 | 18:00+1 | Shanghai (PVG) |
Data: Flightradar24
Argentina is set to restore its air link with Oceania after nearly six years, marking the first connection since Air New Zealand (which has some of the most dazzling aircraft painting) last operated the Auckland–Buenos Aires route in March 2020. With the commencement of China Eastern’s service from Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina will once again stand as the sole Latin American city connected to all five continents.
Jason Zheng, an aviation analyst was quoted in South China Morning Post as having said that the Shanghai-Buenos Aires service “may poach passengers who otherwise would need to pass through the US“:
“With China becoming more invested in the economy and infrastructure of Latin America – long regarded as the backyard of the US – China’s state-owned airlines are adding new routes and bypassing the US,” Zheng said. “Other than operational considerations, there is also a political message. The new service could be the most convenient link between China and Argentina and beyond, as one can save about four hours and avoid transit visa requirements compared with going through Atlanta, Miami or New York’s JFK”
With this launch, China Eastern will extend its network to all inhabited continents. The following figures are a representative of the airline’s growth:
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Since early 2024, China Eastern Airlines has added 23 new medium- and long-haul international routes, strengthening its reach across 21 nations participating in the Belt and Road Initiative.
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During 2024, the carrier handled 8.36 million international transfer passengers through Shanghai Pudong International Airport, which represented 80.9 percent of the airport’s total transfer volume.
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In the first half of 2025, that number climbed to 4.8 million, marking a 26.8 percent increase compared to the same period the previous year.
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China Eastern has twenty Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. These have an average age of 9.8 years. According to planespotters.net, The youngest of these is registered B-7882 and is 8.3 years old. The oldest of these is registered B-2001 and was delivered to the carrier in September 2014.
| Cabin Class | Features & Layout | Seat Dimensions | Entertainment & Power | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Class | Six suites featuring electric window shades, privacy doors, and wardrobes large enough to hang a coat. Shallow storage cubby beneath the ottoman. | Seat width: 26.5″ (between armrests) Bed length: 78″ fully flat |
24″ HD screen Universal AC + USB-A sockets |
No overhead storage lockers; baggage stored in a front-cabin locker |
| Business Class | 52 Safran Cirrus II seats with open shelf and small storage compartments under armrest and foot stool | Seat width: 20.33″ (between armrests) Row pitch: 43″ Bed length: 75″ fully flat |
15.4″ HD touchscreen display (stowed during takeoff/landing) Universal AC + USB-A sockets |
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| Economy Class | 258 seats in 3-4-3 layout; each seat includes bi-fold table and independent cup holder | Seat width: 17.05″ (between armrests) Row pitch: 32″ Recline: 6″ |
10.6″ HD touchscreen display USB-A socket |
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What implications does the Shanghai– Buenos Aires flight have for Argentina-China relations?
Last year, roughly 60,000 people traveled between China and Argentina. UN Comtrade reported that trade between China and Latin America trade has grown unconscionably: from about US$12 billion in 2000 to US$515 billion in 2024. The following table gives us an evolution of the relationship between the two nations:
| Year/Period | Event/Development | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Argentina–China trade baseline | Imports from China valued at approximately US$330 million |
| 2022 | Growth in imports | Imports from China increased to nearly US$17.5 billion |
| 2024 | Total bilateral trade | Bilateral trade between Argentina and China reached US$16.35 billion |
| Late 2023 | Currency swap suspension | Beijing suspended part of a multibillion-dollar currency swap agreement |
| 2024–2026 | Deal renegotiation and renewal | Argentina renegotiated and renewed the currency swap through 2026 |
| 2023–2024 | Shift in Argentina’s foreign policy | President Javier Milei initially sought distance from China and blocked BRICS entry, later adjusted stance following financial negotiations |
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All in all
When the route was first announced, even the New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon opined that the flight would “connecting the three dynamic economies will help to create a more resilient and diversified aviation network, and benefit passengers, trade, and tourism in the three areas“, reported China Daily. The flights via this new route will also offer lower flight time than flights that fly via Europe or North America, and this sentiment was echoed by Business Wire too:
“The “New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor” shortens travel time by 4–5 hours versus European or North American routes and offers direct flights, while also reducing jet lag—passengers only face a 4-hour time difference when transiting through Auckland, as opposed to 12 hours via traditional Western routes. CEA plans to apply for fifth freedom for this route, enabling passenger and cargo transport in Auckland”
It is also likely that China Eastern will increase Auckland–Shanghai flights from 7 to 9 weekly. The announcement of Shanghai-Buenos Aeris flights came at a forum was held under the theme “Innovation and Intelligence: Shaping Aviation’s Next Era,” that:
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It emphasized the “Aviation+” initiative, which promotes integration of air travel with culture, tourism, and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions).
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Unveiled China Eastern’s AI-powered digital assistant “Dongdong” and a physical service robot “Xiaodong.”
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A “China Pass” card designed to provide discounts and special services for inbound travelers for China Eastern travelers.
It seems as if there’s a lot at store for travelers in the Shanghai-Buenos Aeris route and beyond.