Lufthansa has launched a non-stop service between Frankfurt, Germany, and Panama City.

Flight LH 484 departed from Frankfurt at 10:15 today, and is scheduled to arrive at the Aeropuerto Internacional de Tocumen in Panama City at 16:40 local time this afternoon.

Eastbound flight LH 485 will leave Panama City at 18:45 local time this evening, and is due to land in Frankfurt at 11:35 local time tomorrow.

Lufthansa will be operating a five-times-weekly service on the new route all year round.

“It’s an exciting time at Lufthansa as Panama is one of several new leisure destinations that we are adding to our growing network,” said Juergen Siebenrock, vice president Lufthansa German Airlines, The Americas.

“Passengers traveling from this new gateway will now be able to experience the quality service and premium products that Lufthansa has always been known to offer, including our brand new Premium Economy Class that offers extra space for comfort and relaxation, as well as an elevated experience.”

The Airbus A340-300, which is used on this route, is equipped with FlyNet, Lufthansa’s broadband internet access product, and offers a three-class configuration that includes 18 Business Class seats, 19 Premium Economy seats and 261 Economy Class seats, for a total of 298 seats.

Frankfurt – Germany’s most international city – offers a rich culture and history.

With a population of about 5.6 million, the Frankfurt Rhine-Main metropolitan region is one of Europe’s leading economic centres and a popular travel destination, offering a wide range of tourist attractions and sights, including world-class ballet, opera, theatres and art exhibitions.

Although only fifth in size among German cities, Frankfurt is Germany’s financial powerhouse.

The German Central Bank is there, as is the European Central Bank, which manages the Euro.

Under the new codeshare agreement, Lufthansa travellers can fly with Star Alliance partner Copa Airlines from Panama City, Panama to 73 further destinations in Ecuador, Venezuela, Peru and Costa Rica – many of them bookable under Lufthansa flight numbers.

In return, Copa Airlines customers gain access to the global network of the Lufthansa Group, which currently extends to 261 destinations in 101 countries.