A landmark flight is being welcomed today at Tampa International Airport.

Lufthansa has launched non-stop service between Tampa and Frankfurt, Germany.

The airline will be operating five weekly flights in summer and four weekly in winter on Airbus A340-300 planes. Today's flight lands at 3:50 p.m.

Tampa Bay joins Miami and Orlando as Lufthansa’s third destination in Florida.

“We’re delighted that our passengers will soon be able to fly in comfort non-stop to the West Coast of Florida on flights to our new US destination at Tampa,” said Karl Ulrich Garnadt, Lufthansa Board Member and CEO Lufthansa German Airlines. “We’re expecting the new direct connection to elicit huge interest and demand, especially from leisure travelers.”

The airport is welcoming the afternoon landing with a ceremony, complete with a live band, cheerleaders and a cake.