China Eastern’s New Auckland-Buenos Aires Route
So here we are, SkyTeam’s China Eastern is tying the skies with a brand new 007 style license to thrill, embracing the enigmatic world of fifth freedom flights. If geography had a southern limit in long-haul territory, this might just be it. “But why?” you ask. Well, it’s simple, really.
China Eastern Unveils Buenos Aires Adventure
Come December 2025, China Eastern is penciling itself into the skies with a twice-weekly hopscotch from bustling Shanghai to scenic Auckland to vibrant Buenos Aires. Yes, you heard that right, this is the inaugural stretch of their wings to South America – a slice of aviation audacity.
The route will lazy-Susan around some 12,229 miles. First, you’ll be whisked along from Shanghai to Auckland – a casual 5,808 miles – before skipping over to Buenos Aires, another 6,421 miles. If the freedom speaks to you, you’ll savor the ability to dash between New Zealand and Argentina, thanks to the fifth freedom flight. No chain of travel shackles here; it’s just you, some sky, and a bit of aviation magic in between.
China Eastern’s plan is no sketch on a napkin—it’s all mapped out with a Boeing 777-300ER. What’s inside, you ask? Well, picture 316 happy passengers. You’ve got six in first class, 52 in business class, and the merry 258 who choose economy.
The cherry on top? This route won’t just be scribbled into the history books as China Eastern’s debut in South America; it’s poised to be the world’s southern supremist in long-haul routes, nudging past rivals like Qantas and LATAM. Astounding in its ambition, this flight’s geometry is equally impressive.
All the motion and emotion of this remarkable journey were unveiled in Shanghai amid a flurry of press and praise, New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon took to the podium, sharing his excitement over this airborne escapade:
“Clamouring to return to our tourism glory days of 2019 and then some, we know this new flight path is set to rain an additional $48 million in annual visitor dollars on New Zealand.”
Auckland Airport CEO Carrie Hurihanganui chimed in with equal enthusiasm:
“In reclaiming connections with China, our visitor numbers have been sluggish. Fresh journeys from Shanghai’s well-linked hub will sprinkle more wanderlust not just from China but wider Asia and Europe to Auckland’s doorstep.”
“Moreover, stitching New Zealand and Argentina closer will fuel more than just tourism and trade. It’s a homecoming road for 40,000 South Americans nestled in New Zealand.”
A Competitive Chessboard
But let’s jump down the rabbit hole of route rivalry. Auckland-Buenos Aires is a familiar dance. Air New Zealand primed the pump back in 2015 only to shutter the service in 2020 as the pandemic threw a wrench in the works. Pre-dawn of Air New Zealand’s plans, Aerolineas Argentinas held the torch till 2012.
Flying non-stop from China to the South American continent is a pipe dream on fuel. Even so, China Eastern isn’t traversing uncharted air. Fellow flier Air China makes tracks from Beijing to Madrid and onward to Sao Paulo, albeit on a divergent path. Auckland’s connecting throng clearly makes Air New Zealand a formidable contender here, albeit with opportunity costs lurking in the wings.
The Chinese airline fraternity has been limping back post-pandemic, struggling to reclaim their branching wings internationally. I’d wager China Eastern’s new dance is both politically kissed and economically timed; they’re nudging into a potentially plump fifth freedom market. Sure, there’s demand to fill those two precious weekly flights.
Final Thoughts
Pencil in December 2025 as China Eastern drops in a twice-weekly cadence from Shanghai to Buenos Aires, via an Auckland encore. It promises a journey worth raising a glass to—the world’s southernmost aviation escapade.
Adding intrigue to the skies with another South America to New Zealand link along with LATAM’s service, this one’s set to shake up the skies.
So, what do you think of China Eastern’s Buenos Aires tango? Feel free to discuss this juicy morsel of aviation news over at the glamorous Val Seny ski resort or wherever else tickles your travel fancy.