Pan American World Airways, commonly known as Pan Am, symbolises the Golden Age of commercial travel. Why? Because in the 60s all airlines had to charge the same amount for a plane ticket. So the only way to attract and entice passengers was with exceptional customer service, and no airline did it better than Pan Am. 

Travellers would wear their finest clothes and the holiday would begin mid-air. They were treated to an open bar, cocktail hour – which included martinis, Manhattans, whiskey sours, and more – followed by a decadent eight course meal that included lavish courses of caviar, beef bourguignon, fillet mignon, fresh seafood and more. Not a plastic meal tray or foil wrapped condensation-drenched dish in sight. 

While the airline flew to 86 countries on six continents at its peak in 1968, Pan Am eventually ceased operations on December 4, 1991. 

But the iconic airline is set to return to the skies in 2025. Pan Am Brands, which owns the former airline’s licensing rights, will transform a private jet and make it Pan Am-branded for a 12-day transatlantic journey that will depart from New York City. The ‘Tracing the Transatlantic’ itinerary includes stops in Lisbon, Marseille, London, Bermuda and Ireland. Only 50 lie-flat seats will be available on this all Business Class Boeing 757-200. 

There will be high expectations when it comes to service and food on the privately chartered flight if it’s to meet the past Pan Am standards. According to Pan Am Brands, passengers can expect upscale catering, an open bar, the ability to stream in-flight content on their personal devices, and a handpicked crew that will stay with them for the duration of the trip while in the air. During the trip, travellers will stay at luxury hotels such as the Four Seasons Hotel in Lisbon, The Savoy in London, Dromoland Castle in County Clare, the Waldorf Astoria in New York, and The Rosewood Bermuda in Bermuda.

So how much will a ticket on a trip to the past cost? A cool $88,000 per person (all-inclusive itinerary).  

What happened to Pan Am?

A series of events led to the decline and eventual closure of Pan Am Airways. Overpaying for the acquisition of National Airlines, and the tragic Lockerbie bombing further contributed to Pan Am’s decline. While there were several attempts at financial restructuring and rebranding throughout the 1980s – including selling off most of its transatlantic routes to Delta Airlines to raise operating funds – Pan Am gradually sold off all its assets before declaring bankruptcy on January 8, 1991.

The Pan Am branded private tour will take place from June 27 to July 9, 2025. For more information or to book, visit criteriontravel.com/panam 

Related story: The 9 things you could do on a plane in the past that do not fly today