The flight to Panama on a Boeing 777-200 LR jet with a three-class layout will be Emirates’ first entry into Central America, with a flight time of 17 hours and 35 minutes, the airline said.

Emirates Flight EK251 will depart Dubai at 8:05 a.m. and arrive in Panama City at 4:40 p.m. each day. Key imports to the country include pharmaceuticals, machinery products, iron/steel rods, and electronics.

The flight marks the firm’s first gateway into central America and could led to more destinations else where on the continent. Ideally located between North and South America, as well as the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, Panama City has developed an unrivalled transportation and communication network.

According to the global Air Transport Association, Latin American airlines reported a 5.9 per cent rise in worldwide traffic in June compared to a year earlier as regional trade volumes showed strong improvement during the first half of 2015. The westbound Dubai-Panama City flight will be 17 hr., 35 min., which Emirates noted will be the longest flight in the world.

Isabel Saint Malo de Alvarado, Republic of Panama Vice President, said: “It is gratifying to see how diplomatic efforts focused on generating development and prosperity for Panama materialise”.

This won’t cause consternation in Qantas, but its bragging rights about the world’s longest scheduled airline service with an A380 between Sydney and Dallas Fort Worth are about to be usurped.

Flights to Panama are likely to attract a number of business travellers because of the city’s standing as a regional and global hub for markets, John Strickland, Director of London headquartered aviation advisory JLS Consulting, told Gulf News by email.

At least Emirates is good about providing lots of free movies, even for lowly economy passengers.