For much of the 20th century, Pan American World Airways — better known as Pan Am — was synonymous with intercontinental travel. As the unofficial flag carrier of the United States, Pan Am flew its jumbo jets to airports across the world, and to many, the airline represented a more glamorous age of aviation. The trailblazing carrier ceased operations in 1991, but if you thought the Pan Am brand was long gone, think again. After making a splashy return to the skies in 2025 with a special 12-day trip around the world, the brand’s new owners have announced additional expeditions for 2027. 

An Iconic Brand

Pan American Airways was founded in 1927 and, like many of the world’s oldest airlines, traces its roots back to carrying airmail. Passenger service started a year later, and in the 1930s, Pan Am started flying long-range flying boats — the “Clippers” the airline later became famous for. In 1955, Pan Am was the launch customer for the Boeing 707, one of the world’s first passenger jets, which it used to further expand its international footprint.

The following decade, Pan Am was also the first airline to introduce the iconic Boeing 747 jumbo jet. In the airline’s heyday of the 1950s and ’60s, it offered flights to 86 destinations on every continent except Antarctica. It was during this era that Pan Am became a cultural icon, representative of the glamour of a new age of intercontinental air travel. 

But in 1978, the U.S. deregulated its aviation industry, meaning the government no longer set routes, schedules, and prices. As a result, Pan Am faced new competitive pressures and saw a sharp decline in its finances throughout the 1980s, before ultimately declaring bankruptcy in 1991. Though the airline’s trademark logo is no longer a fixture of global aviation, the Pan Am brand has endured as a remarkable symbol of a bygone era. 

An Exclusive Journey

In 2025, the Pan Am brand took to the skies once again thanks to a partnership with Criterion Travel and Bartelings Associates. But its return wasn’t for regularly scheduled passenger flights; rather, the collaboration featured a special 12-day chartered journey retracing Pan Am’s original transatlantic routes. And it didn’t come cheap: Prices for this once-in-a-lifetime trip started at a cool $59,950 per person. The 50 lucky passengers flew on a private Boeing 757 outfitted with modern amenities and spacious lie-flat seats. 

Following the success of that trip, the company has announced three new trips for 2027, with more to come. The first one jets off to Africa in June on a 19-day journey to Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and South Africa. Included in the itinerary are round-trip flights from New York, safari game drives in Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, a visit to majestic Victoria Falls, boat excursions in the vast and biodiverse Okavango Delta, and a luxury Rovos Rail trip to Cape Town.

Like before, the catch with Pan Am’s return is the hefty price tag: This latest trip costs a cool $129,000 per person, though everything from accommodations to gratuities, transfers, entry permits, and laundry service is included in that cost. As for the flights, the 42 passengers will be treated to everything they’d expect of the golden age of air travel, from multicourse meals served on fine china to signature cocktails and white-glove service. 

Later in 2027, Pan Am is partnering with Holland America Line for an epic 28-day, 13-country cruise in and out of Miami. The itinerary retraces many of the former Pan Am Clipper routes in the region, with ports of call in the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, St. Lucia, Panama, and more. Though flights on the company’s private jet aren’t included with this trip, guests will sail aboard Holland America’s Zuiderdam with special Pan Am-themed events. Prices start at $4,179 per person, inclusive of meals, cocktails, and gratuities.

The company is also offering a nine-day journey through Ireland’s southwest coast geared toward golfers, with pricing and details available by request. Other 2027 trips are set to be announced in the coming weeks, according to Craig Carter, CEO of Pan Am Global Holdings.

Other Golden Age Experiences

It doesn’t hurt to dream, but given the price and limited availability, the reality is that most of us won’t be experiencing Pan Am’s splashy return to the skies in 2027. However, if you find yourself nostalgic for the golden era of aviation, the company also plans to bring back its popular Pan Am Experience. Though details are yet to be announced, the dinner event is expected to be hosted on a re-created Pan Am passenger jet in Los Angeles.

And soon, Pan Am will be lending its name to hotels, too. The vintage-themed Pan Am Hotel by Hilton is scheduled to open sometime in 2026 in the L.A. area, and additional Pan Am properties will debut at the Berlin and Vienna airports in 2028.

In the meantime, you can step back into the 1960s at the TWA Hotel at New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport. Back in the day, Trans World Airlines (TWA) was one of Pan Am’s biggest rivals. Though that airline is also now defunct, its iconic former terminal at New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport has been turned into a luxury hotel that preserves much of its original design and features a vintage jet age-inspired theme throughout.