Pan American World Airways - Images of a Great Airline Second Edition

Book excerpt: Pan American World Airways - Images of a Great Airline 2nd Edition is a pictorial history of the airline that highlights its aviation "Firsts" and notable achievements. Included are vintage photographs of airliners and images of timetable covers, schedules and route maps, annual report covers and baggage strap tags, all documenting its storied history from first flight to last. The 2nd Edition features additional images as well as narratives about significant aircraft in Pan American's fleet and its important routes.The firsts and significant events are presented in chronological order and are divided into six sections representing key eras of the life of Pan American: (1) Beginnings (1927-1939); (2) The War Years (1940-1945); (3) The Piston Era (1946-1957); (4) The Jet Age (1958-1969); (5) Top of the World - Boeing 747 (1970-1979); and (6) End of an American Icon (1980-1991). The firsts and significant events are listed at the beginning of each section followed by images of that era of aircraft, timetable covers and maps, baggage strap tags and annual reports. Narratives about the key aircraft of each era and the history of the airline's important routes follow. The book is a good reference source for key events in the life of an important airline that paved the way to what the industry is today and which was a true aviation pioneer.