Pan Am History: The Clippers, the 707 and the 747 – Airline Employee Shop

Pan Am History

Pan Am grew from a short mail route between Key West and Havana into America's great international airline, the one that launched both the Boeing 707 and the 747. Here's a short history of Pan Am, plus the Pan Am collection that celebrates it.

Key West to Havana (1927-1934)

Pan American Airways was founded on March 14, 1927, and Juan Trippe became its guiding force for decades. In October 1927 Pan Am flew its first mail flight from Key West, Florida, to Havana. On January 16, 1928, its Fokker F-VII "General Machado" carried Pan Am's first paying passengers to Havana.

The Clipper years (1935-1945)

Pan Am named its aircraft "Clippers." On November 22, 1935, Captain Ed Musick left Alameda, California, in the Martin M-130 "China Clipper" on the first transpacific airmail flight, reaching Manila on November 29 after stops at Honolulu, Midway, Wake and Guam. On March 30, 1939, the Boeing 314 "Yankee Clipper" made the first transatlantic passenger flight.

Around the world and into the jet age (1946-1979)

In June 1947 Pan Am started the first scheduled round-the-world airline service. In January 1950 the company became Pan American World Airways. Pan Am was the launch customer for the Boeing 707, and its first scheduled jet flight went from New York to Paris on October 26, 1958. It was also a launch customer for the Boeing 747 and flew its first 747 service from New York in January 1970.

The final years (1980-1991)

Pan Am completed its purchase of National Airlines on January 7, 1980. In 1985 it sold its Pacific Division to United. On December 21, 1988, Pan Am Flight 103 was bombed over Lockerbie, Scotland, killing 270 people. In 1991 Delta bought most of Pan Am's transatlantic routes, and Pan Am ceased operations on December 4, 1991.

A few things collectors love

  • The blue globe logo, nicknamed the "Blue Meatball," is one of the best-known airline symbols ever made.
  • Pan Am used the word "Clipper" in its aircraft names and radio call signs, from the flying boats to the jets.
  • The "China Clipper" is still remembered as the plane that opened the Pacific to airmail.

Shop Pan Am

Browse Pan Am logo T-shirts, coffee mugs, coasters, tote bags and vintage designs in the Pan Am collection. Add an airline bag tag or key tag for the Pan Am fan in your life.

Pan Am merchandise at AirlineEmployeeShop.com is officially licensed through Argyle Enterprises. This page is for historical interest.