Pan Am: Revival Or Relic?

Pan Am, the airline that ceased operations in 1991, is making a comeback in 2025. The airline, which was synonymous with glamorous travel, will be offering a 12-day private jet trip from New York City with stops in Bermuda, Lisbon, Marseille, London, and Foynes, Ireland. The trip, priced at $59,950 per person, will offer a luxurious travel experience with continental cuisine, an open bar, and accommodations in opulent hotels. With this exclusive journey, Pan Am is bringing back the golden age of travel and offering a nostalgic experience for its longtime fans.

Pan Am returns to the skies in 2025

After more than three decades, Pan American World Airways, also known as Pan Am, is set to take to the skies again in 2025. The airline, which was synonymous with glamorous travel, ceased operations in 1991 and has since become a symbol of the golden age of air travel. Now, for a limited time, Pan Am will be offering an exclusive and opulent journey for those looking to relive the luxury and elegance of flying in its heyday.

The Journey

The 12-day transatlantic journey, dubbed "Tracing the Transatlantic," will begin on June 27, 2025, in New York City and will follow Pan Am's original southern and northern transatlantic routes. The privately chartered Boeing 757-200 aircraft, with only 50 lie-flat seats, will first head to Bermuda and then cross the Atlantic Ocean to Lisbon, Portugal. The flight will then continue to Marseille, France; London, England; and Foynes, Ireland, before returning to New York on July 9, 2025.

Accommodations and Experiences

In addition to the flights, the trip includes accommodations in some of the most exclusive hotels in each city. These include the Waldorf Astoria in New York City, the Rosewood Bermuda in Bermuda, the Four Seasons Hotel Ritz in Lisbon, The Savoy in London, and Dromoland Castle Hotel & Country Estate in Foynes. The itinerary also features unique experiences, such as a night of fado in Lisbon, a Fourth of July celebration in London, and a dinner at the Flying Boat Museum in Foynes, where guests can see the world's only Boeing 314 Flying Boat replica.

Pricing and Booking

This exclusive journey comes at a hefty price. Solo travelers will pay $65,500, while couples can enjoy a discounted rate of $59,950 per person. The rate includes flights, accommodations, most meals and beverages, and a swag bag. Bookings can be made through Criterion Travel, with a deposit of $5,000 required to reserve a spot.

Looking Ahead

According to Craig Carter, the CEO of Pan American World Airways and owner of Pan Am Brands, this trip is just the beginning. He hints at the possibility of more nostalgic routes being offered through special travel packages and expresses plans to celebrate the airline's 100th anniversary in 2027 with exclusive around-the-world travel packages.

The 12-day transatlantic journey itinerary

Pan Am is coming back with a 12-day transatlantic journey itinerary, dubbed "Tracing the Transatlantic". The journey will begin in New York City on 27 June 2025 and return on 9 July 2025. The trip will be operated by private aircraft touring company Bartelings and run by affinity group tour specialists Criterion Travel. It will be hosted by Craig Carter, CEO of Pan American World Airways and owner of Pan Am Brands.

The trip will include stops in Bermuda, Portugal, France, England, and Ireland. The flight will first head to Bermuda and then cross the Atlantic Ocean to Lisbon. It will then continue to Marseille, France, before making its way to London. The final stop will be in Foynes, Ireland, before returning to New York.

Along the way, travellers will stay at exclusive hotels in each city. In New York City, guests will stay at the Waldorf Astoria, followed by the Rosewood Bermuda in Bermuda and the Four Seasons Hotel Ritz in Lisbon. In London, guests will stay at The Savoy, and the trip will conclude with a stay at the Dromoland Castle Hotel & Country Estate in Foynes.

The trip will include special events and highlights, such as a night of fado in Lisbon, a Fourth of July celebration in London, and a dinner at the Flying Boat Museum in Foynes, which houses the world's only Boeing 314 Flying Boat replica.

The journey is limited to 50 guests, who will travel in a Boeing 757-200 aircraft with all Business Class seating. The trip is priced at USD59,950 per person based on double occupancy and USD65,500 for solo travellers, including flights, accommodations, most meals, and a branded swag bag.

Luxury travel experience

Pan American World Airways, or Pan Am, is set to return to the skies in 2025 with a 12-day transatlantic journey, offering a luxurious travel experience reminiscent of the golden age of air travel.

The Golden Age of Travel

Pan Am, which ceased operations in 1991, is synonymous with glamorous travel. The airline is bringing back the nostalgia and sophistication of the bygone era with its upcoming commemorative journey.

Tracing the Transatlantic

Dubbed "Tracing the Transatlantic," the exclusive flight will depart from New York City on June 27, 2025, and visit Bermuda, Portugal, France, England, and Ireland. With only 50 seats available, travellers will indulge in a luxurious and intimate experience.

Luxurious Accommodations

The journey will offer a modern in-flight experience while emphasising Pan Am's rich history. Travellers will stay at exclusive hotels, including the Waldorf Astoria in New York City, the Rosewood Bermuda in Bermuda, and the Savoy in London.

Gourmet Dining and Entertainment

During the golden age of Pan Am, flying was a glamorous experience, with long hours spent dining, reading, and playing games. The airline is set to evoke this era with its upcoming journey, offering a five-course meal, including appetizers, a choice of proteins, garden vegetables, fruit and cheese, and decadent desserts. The menu, designed by Chermayeff & Geismar & Haviv, will be accompanied by a full bar and a selection of wines.

Sophisticated Service

An integral part of the Pan Am experience is the sophisticated and well-educated stewardesses, who will be dressed in stylish uniforms, evoking the magic of the past.

A Journey Back in Time

With its upcoming 12-day journey, Pan Am invites travellers to step back in time and relive the glamour and sophistication of air travel's golden age. It promises to offer a unique and indulgent experience, combining modern comforts with the nostalgic charm of the Pan Am brand.

Nostalgia for the golden age of air travel

Pan Am, the airline synonymous with glamorous travel, is set to take to the skies once again in 2025. The airline, which stopped flying in 1991, is offering an exclusive 12-day transatlantic journey, evoking the golden age of air travel. This era, spanning the 1950s to the 1970s, was characterised by sleek, spacious planes, stylish flight attendants, and gourmet meals. While the reality was that only a privileged few could afford such luxury, the romanticised vision of this bygone era persists.

The golden age of air travel was a time when jet-setters were whisked away to exotic destinations in style. The introduction of jets in the late 1950s revolutionised travel, cutting the travel time from New York to London in half. The airlines themselves promoted this new era of travel as a glamorous and luxurious experience. Full-page advertisements in magazines and newspapers depicted well-dressed passengers enjoying gourmet meals and ample legroom.

This period also saw the advent of fashionable flight attendant uniforms. Designers like Christian Dior, Chanel, and Pierre Balmain created elegant and stylish looks for crews. The fashion extended to the passengers as well, who dressed up for the occasion, marking the special nature of air travel. It was an era of five-course meals, caviar served from ice sculptures, and endless champagne.

The airline industry of the time was highly regulated, with the federal government setting airfares and controlling flight routes. With limited competition on price, airlines focused on onboard service and amenities. This resulted in an elevated travel experience that became synonymous with the golden age.

However, it's important to recognise that the golden age of air travel was not without its drawbacks. Smoking was commonplace, with passengers freely smoking cigarettes, pipes, and cigars. While there were designated smoking and non-smoking sections, the smoke easily travelled throughout the cabin. Additionally, safety standards were not as rigorous as they are today, with a higher rate of accidents and crashes.

Despite these issues, the golden age of air travel remains a nostalgic reminder of a seemingly more glamorous era. The upcoming Pan Am flight, with its exclusive itinerary and luxurious accommodations, captures the essence of this bygone era, offering travellers a unique opportunity to step back in time and experience the golden age for themselves.

The Pan Am brand

The airline's return to the skies will begin with a 12-day private jet itinerary in June 2025, retracing its original transatlantic routes. This exclusive flight, dubbed "Tracing the Transatlantic", will be a luxurious journey with stops in Bermuda, Portugal, France, England, and Ireland. With a price tag of up to \$65,500 per person, the experience is certainly not for the faint-hearted. However, for those seeking a taste of the golden age of travel, it promises to deliver.

The trip will be hosted by Craig Carter, CEO of Pan American World Airways and owner of Pan Am Brands. Carter has emphasised the importance of honouring the brand's rich history while also innovating for the future. This balance between nostalgia and modern luxury is a key aspect of the Pan Am brand's relaunch. The flight will be operated by a Boeing 757-200, featuring lie-flat seating and accommodating only 50 passengers.

In addition to its aviation endeavours, the Pan Am brand is expanding into new experiences. The Pan Am Experience, a former 747-200-themed restaurant, is set to reopen near Los Angeles International Airport in early 2025. This unique dining concept will allow patrons to step back in time and immerse themselves in the golden age of air travel, even if they can't secure a spot on the exclusive flight.

The return of the Pan Am brand is a testament to its enduring appeal and the power of nostalgia. By combining this nostalgia with modern luxury, the brand is poised to recapture the hearts of longtime fans and attract a new generation of customers seeking a taste of the glamorous past.

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