Pan American World Airways, also known as Pan Am, was a major airline during the “flying boat days” at Foynes airport. Today, after more than 30 years, a Pan Am jet took off from Shannon airport on its way to JFK International Airport in New York. This marks the end of the “Tracing the Transatlantic” journey, a 12-day trip that celebrated the “Golden Age of Travel.

The 50 passengers on board experienced an all-business class flight, with a carefully planned itinerary along Pan Am’s historic transatlantic routes. The flight attendants wore authentic recreations of classic Pan Am uniforms, adding to the retro charm of the trip.

Pan Am has a long history with Shannon airport, dating back to September 1945 when a Pan Am DC-4 completed the first transatlantic proving flight into Shannon. This paved the way for the first scheduled transatlantic commercial passenger flight just one month later. October marks the 80th anniversary of this significant milestone.

In August 1970, Shannon airport welcomed its first scheduled jumbo jet, a Pan Am Boeing 747 carrying over 300 passengers. This was a landmark moment for the airport and further solidified Pan Am’s presence in the region.

Upon arriving at Shannon airport on Wednesday, the guests were treated to a two-night stay at the luxurious Adare Manor and a special gala dinner at the Foynes Flying Boat Museum. Today, they departed from Shannon airport, marking the conclusion of this memorable journey.

Margaret O’Shaughnessy from the Foynes Flying Boat Museum spoke to Live 95’s Limerick Today about this momentous occasion saying, “Pan Am was known for its fantastic service and luxury, and it was a significant player during the flying boat days between the 1930s and 1940s. It is extraordinary to see the promotion this journey is receiving in America, with destinations such as New York, Bermuda, Lisbon, Marseille, London, and Foynes.