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The Boeing 314 was the largest and most productive flying boat in the Pan American fleet allowing Pan American to fly more passengers, mail and cargo farther than ever before and safely covering the longest segments of the Atlantic routes. The initial order for six aircraft were all delivered to Pan American between January and June of 1939.
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The Stratocruiser joined the Pan American fleet in 1949 with its first flight between San Francisco and Honolulu on April 1. The aircraft soon launched service from New York to London and Paris, and set a new standard in luxury.
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Jets were an immediate “game changer” for commercial aviation. Almost twice as large and twice as fast as their piston era predecessors, jets were four to five times more productive. Jet engines required less maintenance and were more reliable allowing greater aircraft utilization. These economic advantages let Pan Am offer more seats at lower fares, allowing more people around the world to travel ... and they did!
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Years ahead of its time, the B-747 was born out of the vision and perseverance of Juan T. Trippe, Chairman and Founder of Pan American World Airways. Trippe was the legendary aviation pioneer who had taken the bold and far-reaching steps needed to expand international air travel. The history of the 747 also includes the story of Trippe’s continued courage and foresight. The iconic 747, referred to by many as the “Queen of the Skies,” was the airplane that most transformed commercial passenger aviation. The 747 literally changed air travel overnight and spawned generations of wide-body aircraft.
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