Lufthansa to fly to Panama for the first time

• Direct flights from Frankfurt from 16 November
• Expansion of partnership with Copa Airlines will mean better connections to South America

"For South African travellers this means departing on Lufthansa's daily flight from Johannesburg to Frankfurt and connecting with the Airbus A340-300 that will operate five times a week between Frankfurt and the economic metropolis in Central America", explains Axel Simon, Director Southern Africa for Lufthansa German Airlines and Swiss International Air Line. The new flight takes 12 hours and 25 minutes, returning the same evening landing at Frankfurt Airport the following morning.

"South America has become an increasingly more important trade partner for South Africa. Panama is located between Costa Rica and Columbia and has recorded increasingly strong economic growth in recent years," says Axel Simon. Besides the famous Panama Canal, it has an important banking sector, a favourable geographic location and good infrastructure, providing reasons for a business trip to the Central American country. Untouched beaches and a large number of national parks with their rainforests, mangroves and unique subaquatic world also promise leisure travellers an unforgettable trip.

On board, a total of 298 seats will be available in Business, Premium Economy and Economy Class, featuring the latest cabin design in all classes: seats in the new Business Class can be converted at the touch of a button into a comfortable horizontal bed measuring 1.98m in length. In the new Premium Economy Class, increased legroom and a greater seat pitch await passengers. With the individual in-flight entertainment system, there is a wide range of entertainment on offer for passengers in all travel classes, as well as FlyNet, the wireless broadband internet.

Partnership

Lufthansa is also expanding its partnership with the Panamanian airline Copa. Lufthansa passengers will in future be able to easily reach a further 50 destinations in Central and South America and the Caribbean with the partner airline. The most important travel destinations in Copa's network include airports in Peru, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Guatemala. The times of the Lufthansa services are coordinated with Copa's connecting flights in such a way that passengers can transfer comfortably at Tocumen Airport, Copa's "Hub of the Americas".

Further information and flight booking services with Lufthansa can be found online at LH.com or by calling the Lufthansa Service Centre 0861 842538. Flights can also be booked with Lufthansa's travel agency partners and at the Lufthansa ticket desks in airports.