PAN AM

with a Transatlantic Angle

By the Pan Am Historical Foundation

JUMP TO:

1940s

WARTIME & AFTERWARDS

Overwhelming focus was first on victory in World War II, but that theme quickly segued to one of a brighter tomorrow. Pan Am was ready to make suggestions about some exciting possible destinations, like Paris!

1950s

In many ways, Americans were on top of the world as the 1950s got under way. Pan Am was looking at markets among people beyond those of “means” who were apt to fly on the “President” class service on Boeing B-377 “Straocruisers.” Pan Am was now offering lower fare travel as well, via “Rainbow Service” tourist-class fares. It made sense, as growing numbers of people were earning enough to consider using their new-found discretionary income on new cars, and international travel by air.

1960s

With the arrival of jets at the end of the ‘50s, international travel boomed. The greater efficiencies of jet aircraft made lower fares possible, and there were more people than ever who saw travel abroad as a great way to enjoy their leisure time as well as gain status in an increasingly globally-conscious world. Pan Am was ready to offer either “value proposition.” It was the “Jet Age,” and Pan Am was THE airline for “jet setters!” And by the close of the decade, even more exciting travel opportunities were on tap with advanced new aircraft coming - the B-747 “SuperJet” and possibly a Supersonic Transport too.

1970s

With the arrival of the B-747, the entire face of the airline industry changed. Pan Am’s ads reflected the significance of the new airplane. This made perfect sense, as not only was Pan American deeply involved with the development of the plane, but was the launch customer. It proved to be a game-changer for entire airline industry. The success of the 747 was reflected in its many model variants down the decades for the next half-century.

1980s

The Atlantic market remained a strong focus for the company, but it became a time of diminishing horizons for legendary Pan American World Airways. Juan Trippe had left its leadership in 1968, and in the intervening years 'til the start of Pan Am’s final full decade. From then on, the airline struggled through changing leadership and economic headwinds. The 1980s were not kind to Pan Am, and those at the top did not have the answers to keep the airline going. Despite the fact that the Pacific routes were sold off in mid-decade Pan Am's Atlantic market remained important. In 1988 the horrendous terrorist bombing of Flight 103 was a huge blow, from which Pan Am never really recovered. Still, it was a shock to the nation when the airline shuttered its doors and grounded its fleet on December 4th, 1991.