Pan Am is preparing its sixth reincarnation, this time introducing “luxury” passenger service onboard the Boeing 747.
Pan Am Returns…With 747 Service?
Enter, Gene “D.G.” Tatum, the President of the latest incarnation. He’s hoping to be based in Ecuador…or Colombia…or Costa Rica…or somewhere.
“We are hoping to enter a joint venture agreement with the Ecuadorian Government for their recently closed, state owned TAME Airlines; however negotiations seem to have stalled as the officials from TAME wish to sell off the assets rather than try and salvage the Airline. Both Colombia and Costa Rica have expressed interest in housing Pan Am.”
At least for now, he’s opened an office in Miami while he hunts for the company’s permanent headquarters:
“We are looking for a corporate center in the South American marketplace. The new headquarters will directly employ a staff of 1200.”
The plan is to use 747 Combi aircraft (Sam Chui made a great video on KLM’s recently-retired 747 Combi if you want more info).
In a blog post on the topic, Tatum’s writing style can only be properly called dramatic.
“In this turbulent global economy – with this global pandemic – sometimes the best path forward is looking backward. Pan Am clearly had people’s attention at one point, and there’s potentially less legwork needed to resurrect a safe well known brand than starting from scratch, attempting to grab mind and heart-share among the harried masses.”
With elements of a political rally or religious tent meeting:
“But how do you do it? There was a reason that Pan Am went away. Is its past glory irretrievable, and a waste of time and energy to attempt a resurrection?
“We say NO!”
And a promise for the best and safest…and oh so altruistic…service in the world.
“At Pan Am Global we feel the past is a lesson with which must not be ignored. For that reason we are returning the operations of Pan Am to historical greatness offering a healthier upscale service to all of our customers. No longer will you be packed as sardines in a metal cylinder flying six miles above earth at 500 plus miles per hour.
“With foresight and technology, risk factors on a Pan Am flight are at a minimal. You will enjoy the spaciousness, service, and comfort of times past offering a well improved healthy and enjoyable environment.
“You, your friends, and your family can rest assured that Pan Am has your best interest in mind.”
I love it. His “luxury business class seat” is a picture he swiped from British Airways of its 787-9 first class. We’ve always said British Airways’ first class is world’s best business class…
CONCLUSION
If I would have told you that Eastern Airlines and Pan Am are vying for dominance in Latin America, you wouldn’t be blamed for thinking I was in the wrong decade. I don’t see this latest incarnation taking off anytime soon, but Tatum has taken out a page from Baltia’s playbook. Well done.
Still my favorite airline of all time. It’s sad to see this weird attempt at reincarnation that can only become the butt of jokes. Also, without the logo and livery, the name just doesn’t carry the same weight. Imagine TWA but done in green.
That was my first thought. Any serious attempt at a comeback must re-introduce the iconic livery.
There are only a few old timers left who pine for the “good old days” of flying on Pan Am
And soon, they will all die (sorry Christian, we all gotta go some time).
There is no future here. Just an opportunist (charlatan?) trying to make a buck off Christian and Matthew.
In Europe SAS (Scandinavian Airlines) still fly. Think they will go on 😀
Greetings,
You don’t have to be that old in my 30’s and I remember my first Pan Am trip to Nairobi Via Berlin towards Pan Am’s end in 1990. Was exciting having all 747 service. Movie on screen in economy cabin.
Since the Pan Am name, livery and logo is owned by Pan Am Railways, has he cleared using the Pan Am name with them?
Good question. Maybe he’s “working” on that too.
Actually, it’s still owned by Boston-Maine railroad. The Mellon family out of Pittsburg. I worked for them in the early 2000s.
I Don’t believe it would ever be the same. The world has changed for the worse. No respect, no morals, no customer service like before. Passengers fight in planes, men wear pant with their butt and underwear showing, ladies wear shorts beating half their naked butts. It was another era when people dressed up nicely and wore deodorants. The courts even let the terrorist that blew up flight 103 out of jail. What a shame! Poor victim’s families, a slap on their face. No things can never be the same, they have kiosks to avoid customer service agents, self boarding gates. All complains via email, they don’t want to see your face. Shame! No it’s not the same world!
Exactly my thought too. The classic PAN AM livery “is” part of the airline and it’s glorious heritage. The block sans-serif font on the article image looks cheap and painful
Instead of Ecuador or Colombia. Why they don’t consider Dominican Republic ?
Its all about the money. An airline cant operate as it used to in the old days, it simply wouldnt survive. cost efficiency is what its all about. And would we like to end up with a world for only the sophisticated? The silverspoon is bent 😀
I have a strategy based on our prior involvement with Pa Am (Eclipse Holdings). Richard.
The railroad is up for sale last I heard so getting the rights to the name and logo aren’t out of the question if its bought by a bigger name in that industry.
In response to Martha –
… sadly, how very, very true. I am a thirty-five year veteran hospitality and travel agency professional. The landscape of our society is permanently damaged and eroded; any hope of civil recovery is dismally unrealistic.
Pan American, Trans World Airlines, BOAC (British Airways) ruled the skies and on the ground. Service extraordinaire!
Today, service is nonexistent.
Sometimes it will take a week for a reply to be sent to your email because there simply is not a telephone listing associated with the company in which you are doing business, or, moreover, they don’t care.
Forget about proper attire; my parents forbade me ever to be in a dining room without a jacket. It simply was not proper. And, you would never be seated.
Cellular telephones, the internet and social media are the forerunners at play here.
Civility – it no longer applies in the United States. When was the last time a thank you note was written properly?
People blurt anything from their mouth, giving them Carte Blanche to speak to anyone in any way they want.
I think – with the correct marketing and the right level of agents and industry professionals, this Pan Am idea would launch well.
I want to be the first employee hired with this company.
With today’s disposable incomes and the way people flaunt their excesses – I could, and would sell this carrier in a moment!
With dress code mandates and policy behavior in force, you can control the guest flow and refuse service to any ignorant pig who misbehaves. ⚜️
What a joke. What are you going to fill it with…..hay for horses,????
It’s a “Combi” airplane. So all he needs is to fill have of it with cargo, and the trip will be paid for.
As a kid I remember flying on pan am several times. Are you there standards were high higher than anything else out there. Are stewardesses have to literally pass a military inspection before he was allowed the fly. My mom was a hair stylist professional and then she quit off of complemented the stewardesses on their makeup hair and other things that was just amazing they had the best food in the sky the best service I’ll tell you it’s going to be a difficult ride for them to live up to their old days and standards. But if they have the drive I see it as a distinct possibility and maybe a great way to invest some money. Will have to do a little research on what’s going on with it. But if their standards will be as high today as it was back then people will flock to good quality service and be willing to pay slightly somewhat higher for good service instead of the Jeremy Lin squat you in and who cares if you’re comfortable we’re not airlines of today.
There is an old saying: Leave the dead alone.
Those were the days my friend, and that’s all folks.
Well said. Kudos to you!
I don’t understand all this negativity.
All new airplanes are more economic with fuel. But fuel costs are now very low and going lower.
We will never again go back to 140 $ per barrel
TWA was my favorite Airline back in the day. Now I usually travel Delta around 150,000 miles a year for work. I hope Pam AM can make a comeback.
I don’t see why Pan am should come back. Surely we now have more than enough airlines? And didn’t Pan am leave debts after going in to Schedule 11?
Several of the respondents who wrote with their thoughts (poorly I might add) are not the client/customer material and base the new owner would want on the new Pan Am.
Bienvenida sea tu regreso a los aires esperando con pasiencia tu regreso y deceadole a Dios que sea prospera y bensecisa. Esperamos pronto tu regreso los panamenos
That is interesting news. Take the Dominican Republic in tour plans.
747?? WHY NOT? Use the he Damn aircraft.
Google Air Hollywood Pan Am experience. You’re welcome!!!!!
They even left the BA logo on the screen in the seat picture…
Bienvenida Pan American..eres Nuestra línea Favorita y Nunca te hemos Olvidado,Aunque Caigas Dios te Levanta de Nuevo,y Aunque mil Veces desaparezcas,Siempre estarás en Nuestros Corazones.Y ahora Comienzas tu 6ta.Resurrección nada mas y nada menos que con “La Reina del Aire la Flota 747-Eres Bienvenida,Dios te Bendiga.
Why’s the date on his post January 7, 2019?
I noticed that too…talking about COVID-19 in January 2019. He’s apparently a prophet too…
Love the idea. Miss that airline. Can only wish the best for anyone who has an idea!
Well I Hope they actually pick up some steam and get to flying again. They are a Old school airline like Twa and Us air Etc, But it would not hurt if they risen from the grave Newer & Better than before, Huge 747s & Mabe some New Airbus 380s. I’m not negative about a come back . Hopefully they will have flights into Atlanta heartsfield Jackson. Delta is ok but so jealous of other International carriers it’s pathetic. Having a Huge airport and we don’t have Emirates, China Airlines, Swiss Air, Air India, Japan airlines Etc. Delta wants to hog up everything. So yes I Hope they do get back up & running.
747s and A380s are a thing of the past. Can’t make $ with these old dinosaurs. This is an old management model from the 90s.
It’s a “Combi” airplane. So all he needs is to fill have of it with cargo, and the trip will be paid for.
Let’s face it there were certain things that took out Pan Am Airlines was terrorism high fuel prices And fleet of gas guzzlers Now Today’s consumer is looking for a cheap way to get from point a to point B that’s why you have so many budget airlines today that Pan Am if it ever came back fully would have to compete with because for example JetBlue is flying all the way down to the Caribbean JetBlue is going down to South America I personally just Think that they’re just simply wasting their time in today’s market
I will never fly on Jet Blue.
Their major investor in the Evil George Soros!!
Did you know that?
Google it if you don’t believe me.
I will not give one cent of my money to that SOB!
Stuart, thank you SO much for the information! I will never fly Jet Blue! A Hungarian Jew who was a Nazi sympathizer during the war! Enough said.
“sometimes the best path forward is looking backward” … I think his poetic license should be revoked.
I want what Gene is smoking. What hallucinations!
This aircraft looks beautiful, but we all remember PanAm with the undistinguished logo.
PanAm was a landmark for everyone that worked for this unforgettable icon.
We always will love and remember this icon, with the logo that make it.”The most experience airline.” ❤✈
I grew up in the 60’s and flew many places with my parents starting with the 707. My father worked for Pan Am for almost 25 years taking the buyout hoping to save the airline. However, that was unfortunately too little too late. I later flew on Pan Am II (“A meal on every fight”) but that ended too. Boston Maine Airways started Pan Am Clipper Connection but couldn’t make it work probably because they were flying out of secondary airports. Boston Maine still owns the logo so unless Mr. Tatum is willing to buy it from them the new livery would be different from the original. Not something any of us from the good old days would be happy with. However, I do hope he makes it work since I’d love to fly a Pan Am 747 again.
The thought of Pan Am returning to the skies, is truly one of great joy. I will not soon forget, the day Pan Am Airways Boeing 747, began service at Boston’s Logan Airport. Truly a sight to see, as our family looked down from Logan’s observation deck, just above the 747. An afternoon all of our family members thoroughly enjoyed.
As for me, this was not my first view, of this giant of an airliner. During these years when the 747 was in development, I was employed by Pratt & Whitney Aircraft, in East Hartford, Conn. I had earlier been assigned to: Engineering Research & Development. One of the projects I was involved in, was the High Bypass JT-9D Turbofan Engine, being developed for Boeing’s 747 airliner. It was truly a fascinating time, thorough the research and development period, and on through both ground and altitude chamber testing. Pratt & Whitney had acquired a decommissioned Air Force B-52, that would be used for high speed taxi tests and altitude testing of the JT*-9D turbofan. The inboard engine pod, would be removed and fitted with a modified pod that the JT-9D would be fastened to. After many hours of testing, the engine was finally certified for flight. At a later date, I would fly into Kennedy with a team member on several occasions, A time to meet with Boeing personal assigned to Pan Am Clipper Ship Young America. Our first tour through the Young America was breathtaking. As a Pilot, I was particularly impressed with it’s flight deck. Had some difficulty adjusting to the outside view from the captain’s seat, in that I was unable to see either wing or engine from the cockpit. All in all I totally enjoyed every hour spent on the Boeing 747 project. I must conclude by saying, I thoroughly enjoyed each and every flying experience, on all of the fine aircraft Pan Am had in it’s fleet. My parents were also some of Pan Am’s happy fliers.
Warm Regards,
Paul Anderson
I really loved Pan Am. It was the first airline I flew on in 69. What professionalism. I would love to see it take to the air again. I use to fly from Philadelphia to the Caribbea.
I can’t help but notice the irony of this story, with it’s “kinder and gentler” yester-year theme, adjacent to the “passenger knocks gate agent to the ground” story. Sorry Mr. Tatum, those days are gone forever.
Its about time PAN AM go back to the skies, Go and introduce yourself to the old and young generation alike give them a chance to know you. I am excited.
Delta, United sucks.
I grew up with Pan Am. My father was a pilot from 1955-1991. He started on 377 strats as a Nav and ended as 747 check capt. Flew DC-4,6,7… 707s All the good stuff all over the globe. He had a glorious career and life because of Pan Am. He was there for every development and volunteered to go anywhere. I could only beam in awe and jealousy over his accomplishments. RIP dad.
Do you guys,, plan, to go,, south America, west Indies,,
I thought their space shuttle service to the Lunar base was awesome. Didn’t care for the zero gravity toilet, though.
In the times of Covid19, we certainly do not need another airline.
Fly pan am twice in 86 to and from the US what a Crok of shit, against airlines line Emirates and Etihad they won’t compare
6th time won’t be the charm. Fast forward me to the 7th version please
Bizarre.
Frankly the reason Pan Am went broke is on account of the actions of our worst President ever , Jimmy Carter . For those not up to date on history , it was Carter who created the disasterous Open Skys act which basically removed the exclusivity of routes and destinations from our previously profitable and comfortable U.S. airlines , et.al.,such as Pan Am , Eastern , National and myriad others , resulting in them going into liquidation in short order . In those years air travel was not particularily expensive in any case…remember Freddy Laker with his fleet of new DC 10′ s flying L.A to London for £200 ?
Then there was Carter’s horrendous Iran mistake in 1979…forcing the Shaw to leave and allowing Kohmeni to return…creating 40 years of nonstop terrorism funding…!
@Wilbur Hoover President Jimmy Carter signed the Airline Deregulation Act in 1978. The Treaty on Open Skies went into force in 2002.
Carter was deplorable, but Biden is a far worse president. It took Carter 4 years to screw up and only 9 months for Biden and Kackala.
The name “Pan Am” was purchased at auction and is used by a freight railroad in Massachusetts. Perhaps they could buy back the name, and hire all the old pilots and flight attendants.
Many of Pan Am’s in-flight service team are still flying for other airlines; Delta and United come to mind. I flew for National Airlines and subsequently, Pan American after the merger, taking early-out in 1986. What I wouldn’t give to be part of a crew on Pan Am’s beautiful 747’s once again. We were the best at what we did. I believe a revival would be difficult in today’s market, but the idea sounds wonderfully romantic. You definitely can’t beat the experience–Pan Am!
… you remember!
“You can’t beat the experience, Pan Am!”
Pan Am was the love of my life! I started flying in the 1970’s and was sitting at home in Rancho Palos Verdes when CNN announced Pan Am had shut down. I was crushed and devastated. I’ll never forget that day. I never believed that it could happen. My career was over, just like that! No warning!
I don’t believe that President Carter was the blame. I believe that after our 747 was blown up over Lockerbie, that was the beginning of our demise. From my friends in Reservations, they said we were unable to get our numbers back up because people were afraid to fly.
Be that as it may, no one would love to see them up and flying once again!
I’m no longer a size 4 nor in my 20’s! But if they give me a call, I’ll fly with them!!!
Worked for Pan Am World Services for 15 years an flew the world on Pan Am. Exciting times I wish had not ended. Great if the name returned, but the next few years will be challenging for all existing airlines. Unfortunately there may be fewer rather than more carriers.
I flew Pan Am every month from Germany to Washington DC and back for many years. Pan Am went out of business and I had 50 thousand frequent miles on credit. Do I get those back if she flies again?
I flew Pan Am every month from Germany to Washington DC round trip for many years. Pan Am went out of business and I had 50 thousand frequent miles on credit. Do I get those back if she flies again?
Just bring back those groovy 70s lounges so people can escape the screaming children that should not be allowed ANYWAYS to travel under the age of 5!
Oh and since animals are more well behaved than children…please allow them on board ALWAYS.
Thank you.
Bienvenida sea tu regreso a los aires esperando con pasiencia tu regreso y deceadole a Dios que sea prospera y bensecisa. Esperamos pronto tu regreso los panamenos
Will you accept my Can-Am stock certificates that are useless
As a former Pan Am employee, now 60 years of age oh, and my father who was a 40-year veteran of Pan American Airways, now deceased this year, may he rest his soul, I would actually pick up flying if PAA flew the skies again. I would love it. Bring it on!
But to be honest with you and myself, I thought bringing Hydrox cookies back was a good idea. I did enjoy them for the year that they were back online however, lol.
And remember everyone:
I all started with “Juan Trippe”
yuk- yuk. My Pan Am humor …
I hope they consider Dominican Republic for future business plans
There is a good market between JFK and SDQ and / or STI.
The possibility that Pam American will fly again is a reason of deep and endless joy to me. I am a former airline employee but I retired from another field of work. However, the flying industry has never seized being of utmost interest to me. The different types of aircraft has never stopped being fascinating to me as well as the trains. Please keep me well informed about Pan American development including the different 52 a 2 for¹Also please inside views of the aircrafts
This aircraft looks beautiful, but we all remember PanAm with the undistinguished logo.
PanAm was a landmark for everyone that worked for this unforgettable icon.
We always will love and remember this icon, with the logo that make it.”The most experience airline.” ❤✈
I hope that they consider flying to Barbados in the Caribbean. I can still remember the days of the PanAm Clippers on the busy NewYork/Miami – Barbados routes. It was a sad day when they went into bankruptcy. It would be good to see them back again
REST IN PEACE PAN AM AS A PILOT ON THE DC6/DC7/B727/B707 AND THE GREATEST AIRCRAFT I HAVE FLOWN THE B747. LET HERE NAME REMAIN GREAT.
I grew up in a Pan Am household. My father was a maintenance supervisor and maintenance zone supervisor for Pan Am at JFK for 30 years. There is a market for Pan Am, but it would require massive upfront investment and years of operating at a loss in order to properly serve that market. A new Pan Am would need to create a luxury and business product similar to Emirates or Qatar, while also offering a premium economy class that is only marginally more expensive than economy class on competing carriers. I don’t know if this is possible without the kind of government support Emirates and Qatar receive, but it’s worth a shot.
A new Pan Am, providing upgraded 747-8 service on high traffic international routes that continue on to secondary destinations could work if the in cabin product is so nice passengers won’t mind making connections via the same aircraft (for example, flying a 747-8 from LAX to DFW to JFK to Heathrow). There are enough leisure passengers and aviation enthusiasts out there to make such a route viable IF the product was so good that the flight becomes one
Of the best parts of the journey.
Given that the colour scheme and logo are different I guess he is trying to avoid the current trademark owners and any monetary demands they might have. I think he’s probably going to face a lengthy court battle over the name.
This is a Fake Airline. It’s not going to happen.