The headline reads like an April Fools joke, but there is actually a real announcement by a travel agency to bring back PanAm for a limited time in 2025. The goal is to provide an exclusive experience recreating their transatlantic routes in pure luxury for 50 lucky and well-heeled customers.PanAm was once seen as the pinnacle international carrier. Their flying boats defined the early era of long distance airline flying. PanAm was also the first to fly the jumbo jet. Over time though, much of their luster faded. The airline faced greater competition and was forced to sell their lucrative rights to Pacific flying, eventually leading to the collapse of the original airline. Two additional restart attempts of PanAm also failed.
Is Pan Am Really Coming Back?
Instead of resurrecting a dead airline, a company called Centurion Travel is bringing back the Pan Am name, logo, and experience for a limited event. The travel company says “As we are becoming more accustomed to travel being a commodity, usually a way to get from point A to point B at the most economical price, we offer a reminder of the Golden Age of travel. A time when the travel itself was a glamorous experience, and when the journey was as important and special as the destination.”
The plan is to set up a multi-city excursion with luxury stops on both sides of the Atlantic from 27 June through 9 July, 2025. Along the way, you’ll be pampered with lie flat business suite accommodations in a specially outfitted Boeing 757 that features a throwback Pan Am experience. At each stop, you’ll dine at the finest restaurants and stay in luxury accommodations as well. For avgeeks with such exquisite tastes, the experience with set you back $65,500. If you bring a partner, you’ll both save a bit as long as you don’t mind sharing a room. Prices for couples are $59,950 each. You better hurry though, this limited engagement only has 50 seats. The new adventure is led by Craig Carter who is now known as the CEO of Pan American World Airways LLC. The LLC has licensed the Pan Am logo and brand for the experience.
Will the PanAm 757 Feature A PanAm Livery?
Unfortunately, there is no word yet if the leased/chartered 757 will feature a PanAm billboard livery. There also has been no confirmation of what company will be providing a charter. Notably, PanAm never operated the 757 during any of the three iterations of the airline.
It is rumored though that New Pacific Airlines plans to outfit their jets with business class seats for charter operations after they ceased scheduled service earlier this year. However, there is no word yet on whether the company will be providing travel for this limited engagement. We’ll keep this story updated as we learn more.