For many, Pan American World Airways represents our collective nostalgia for the golden age of air travel, when jet-setters were transported around the world in sleek, spacious planes with stylish flight attendants and glamorous meal service.
Some may even go as far to say that the bygone era ended for good on December 4, 1991, when Pan Am’s final flight took off from Bridgetown, Barbados for Miami. A combination of factors had culminated in Pan Am filing for bankruptcy, marking the end of the iconic airline.
But for those looking to relive air travel’s glory days, not all hope is lost. Next year, the beloved Pan Am brand will return to the skies with a private 12-day itinerary honoring its most memorable routes.
“Pan Am represents elegance and sophistication and our goal is to emphasize Pan Am’s rich history by combining a modern in-flight experience,” Craig Carter, CEO of Pan American World Airways and owner of Pan Am Brands, tells Condé Nast Traveler.
Dubbed “Tracing the Transatlantic,” the Pan Am commemorative journey will take off on a Boeing 757-200 from New York City on Friday, June 27, 2025, tracing the legendary southern and northern transatlantic routes the airline once flew. First, it will head to Bermuda, before crossing the Atlantic Ocean to Lisbon. The flight will continue hopping through European cities, including Marseille, France; London; and Foynes, Ireland, before returning to New York on July 9, 2025.
Operated by private aircraft touring company Bartelings and run by affinity group tour specialists Criterion Travel, the trip will be hosted by Carter, who also serves as the custodian of Pan Am’s legacy, bringing along his four decades of experience in the airline industry. Highlights from the itinerary include a night of fado in Lisbon, a Fourth of July celebration in London, and a dinner at Foynes’ Flying Boat Museum with the world’s only Boeing 314 Flying Boat replica.
Along the way, travelers will stay at some of the most exclusive hotels in each city: New York City’s Waldorf Astoria, Bermuda’s Rosewood Bermuda, Lisbon’s Four Seasons Hotel Ritz, London’s The Savoy, and Foynes’ Dromoland Castle Hotel & Country Estate.
Only 50 seats—each of them with lie-flat seating—will be available. Trips are priced at $59,950 per person based on double occupancy and $65,500 for solo travelers, and include all flights, accommodations, a branded swag bag, and most meals and beverages throughout the trip. Spots can be reserved with a $5,000 deposit through Criterion Travel.
