When most people think of the golden age of aviation, Pan American World Airways is the airline that frequently comes to mind. The airline under the helm of CEO Juan Trippe was a leader in exporting America to the world with its iconic brand and style that dominated the aviation industry in locations near and far.
The airline started its life in Key West, Florida, flying between Florida and Cuba, and quickly expanded. Following World War 2, the airline quickly became widely-known for the domestic and international services it offered.
A true pioneer, Pan Am was the first operator of innovative jet aircraft such as the Boeing 707 and Boeing 747, flying the first flights for each aircraft. Its name not only graced the sides of massive airliners, but also New York City skyscrapers such as the Pan Am Building, now the MetLife Building, that acted as its headquarters.
For all of its glamour, the airline began to struggle with profitability and was forced to sell assets, including its once-famed Pacific network, the Daily Mail reported. The airline was involved in a high-profile terrorist attack in which one of its Boeing 747 aircraft was brought down by an explosive device, damaging the airline's image.
The airline came to an end in 1991, according to the Pan Am Historical Foundation, ending a glorious chapter for American aviation. Since its closure, companies have tried to bring back the Pan Am name in an attempt to revive the iconic brand, but all have done so unsuccessfully.