New Pan Am Soars, Reviving The Golden Age Of Air Travel

Under new ownership, Pan American World Airways has announced the first in a series of planned themed journeys that harken back to its heyday.

For decades, the Pan Am brand and its distinctive blue and white logo symbolized the excitement and elegance of air travel’s golden age.

Even after the airline ceased operations in 1991, memories of its attentive service, gourmet meals, impeccably dressed crew, and spacious seating endure.

Historic Itinerary Inspired By The Past

Now, Pan Am is ready to take flight once more. Its inaugural journey will be a 12-day commemorative voyage limited to 50 guests.

Craig Carter, CEO of Pan American World Airways and owner of Pan Am Brands, will host the trip, which will fly round-trip to Europe from New York City with stops in Bermuda, Lisbon, Marseille, London, and Foynes in Ireland.

“Since 1927, Pan Am has left an indelible mark on the world. From humble beginnings as the first commercial carrier for the U.S. Air Mail, Pan Am’s founder Juan T. Trippe went on to create a vast aviation empire across the globe, literally bringing the world closer together one flight at a time,” says Carter.

Carter acknowledges that relaunching the brand is an ambitious endeavor that requires a respectful balance between its storied past and modern innovation.

Reimagining Luxury Travel

Called Tracing the Transatlantic, this first themed flight will follow the historic routes of the Flying Boats, which were known for their comfort and luxury.

These opulent aircraft had hulls that allowed them to take off from and land on water. Pan Am primarily used them before World War II, connecting continents and laying the groundwork for the birth of the modern aviation industry well before the construction of airports with long runways.

On this reimagined journey, passengers will travel in luxury in all Business Class lie-flat seats on a reconfigured Boeing 757 as they retrace the Pan Am southern transatlantic route between New York and Marseilles, and the northern transatlantic route between London and New York.

Other luxury amenities will include a hand-picked crew, “buddy” seats for gathering/socializing, upscale continental cuisine, and expedited customs/immigration at each stop.

Partnerships with Bartelings and Criterion Travel ensure a seamless, five-star experience on the ground,

The trip will begin and end with gala evenings at the newly renovated Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City. Along the way, guests will stay at luxury properties, including Rosewood Bermuda, Four Seasons Ritz in Lisbon, The Savoy in London, and Dromoland Castle in Ireland.

Planned special events include an evening of fado in Lisbon, a July 4th celebration in London, and an exclusive dinner at the Flying Boat and Maritime Museum in Foynes, which houses the only B314 Flying Boat replica in the world. History buffs and nostalgics will enjoy discussions of Pan Am’s history and legacy.

A Vision For The Future

Pan Am’s ambitions extend beyond this inaugural journey. Carter envisions a future where the brand graces exclusive airport lounges, private terminals, and branded merchandise, offering a new dimension of luxury in the travel industry.

To celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2027, Pan Am World Airways is planning a personalized, around-the-world private jet journey.

“The notion that a commemorative Pan Am flight will celebrate all we stood for is a testament to the strength of the brand and what the airline and its people stood for,“ says Linda Freire, Chair of the Pan Am Historical Foundation and a former Pan Am flight attendant.

“Pan Am’s legacy and pioneering achievement in aviation live on. I can’t wait to see the aircraft with Pan Am livery taking off from JFK,” she adds.

The 12-day inaugural Pan Am journey—which promises to be a bucket-list adventure—will begin on Friday, June 27, 2025, and finish on Tuesday, July 8, 2025.

Priced at $59,950 per person (double occupancy) or $65,500 for single occupancy, Tracing the Transatlantic is now open for booking. For information, call 1-800-PAA-1927.