Emirates will operate the world's longest non-stop flight when it launches a service to Panama City in February.
The destination is the Gulf carrier's first in Central America and will be served daily by a three-class B777-200LR with eight seats in first class, 42 in business and 216 in economy.
When flying westbound, from Dubai to Panama City, the new service will take 17 hours and 35 minutes, the longest non-stop flight in the world.
From February 1, outbound flight EK251 will depart Dubai at 0805 and arrive in Panama City at 1640, while return flight EK252 will leave Panama City at 2210 and land in Dubai at 2255 the next day.
Emirates Group chairman and CEO Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum said: "Panama City will be our first destination gateway in Central America... 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."
Last week, it was announced that Emirates' London services will become an A380-only offering from the start of next year (see news, August 6).
Graham Smith