China Eastern Airlines flight lands at Auckland Airport on 6 November 2023 (file image). Photo: supplied / Auckland airport
Auckland has welcomed the first passengers on what has been dubbed the "world's longest direct flight".
A new China Eastern Airlines service from Shanghai to Buenos Aires landed in Auckland just after 6pm Thursday.
Auckland Airport chief executive Carrie Hurihanganui said the new route would boost the New Zealand's tourism and business links.
The flight from China to Argentina was expected to take more than 25 hours, with the return journey taking four hours longer.
The service will run twice each week, with passengers enjoying a two-hour stop in New Zealand before continuing on their final leg.
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