Pan American World Airways

Pan American World Airways (Pan Am) was at one time the principal international US-based airline. The Lockerbie disaster in 1988 exacerbated the company's financial problems and it was forced to sell off many of its aircraft and international routes to its competitors. The company finally collapsed in 1991 (operations were ended on December 4). An attempt was made to revive the company in the late 1990s, but the new Pan Am ultimately ended up facing bankruptcy again and the name was sold in 1998. The current owners of the Pan Am brand operate a small number of flights within the continental United States.

Other facts of interest

• On January 6, 1942 Pan American became the first commercial airline to have a flight that went around the world.
• The Beatles arrived at Idlewild International Airport in New York aboard a Pan Am DC-8 in 1964.
• The Pan Am Building in Manhattan was the largest commercial office building in the world when constructed in 1963.

External link

• Fly PanAm