Emirates Airline announced its plans to launch services to Panama City, beginning 1st February, 2016. The new service will be the longest non-stop flight in the world (17 hours 35 minutes in the westbound direction) and will be Emirates' first gateway destination in Central America.

Service to Panama City, Panama's capital and largest city by population, will commence with a daily flight operated by a Boeing 777-200LR aircraft in a 3-class layout – 8 in First, 42 in Business, and 216 in Economy. The aircraft can carry up to 15 tonnes of cargo. Key imports to the country include pharmaceuticals, machinery products, iron/steel rods, and electronics. Service to Panama City will operate through Tocumen International Airport (PTY).

"Panama City will be our first destination gateway in Central America, providing a convenient option for our passengers travelling from or through our global hub in Dubai and onward to destinations throughout Central America, the Caribbean and the northern part of South America," said His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline & Group. "We're also pleased to be the only commercial airline to offer a daily, First Class service to travellers on what will be the world's longest non-stop flight."

Emirates flight EK251 will depart Dubai at 08:05 and arrive in Panama City at 16:40 daily. The return flight EK252 will leave Panama City at 22:10, arriving in Dubai at 22:55 the next day.

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