Pan American World Airways is planning celebratory events to mark the centenary of the airline’s first scheduled flight.
The proposed programme includes an event at The Hangar in Coconut Grove, followed by a second gathering at the Marriott Marquis in Miami on 28 and 29 October 2027 respectively.
Ed Wegel, Chief Executive of the organisation, which is pursuing a Pan Am relaunch, said the celebrations would include special presentations and celebrity appearances. Former and current members of the Pan Am community are invited to take part. See Wegel’s LinkedIn post here.
The anniversary marks a significant milestone in the history of commercial aviation. Pan Am’s first scheduled airmail service between Key West, Florida, and Havana, Cuba, began on 28 October 1927. The service established an early international route for the carrier, which subsequently became a major name in international air travel.
Coconut Grove also has a historical connection to the airline. Miami’s Dinner Key seaplane terminal, now home to Miami City Hall, was an important part of Pan Am’s early operations.
The centenary celebrations come as the organisation pursues plans to bring Pan Am back as a scheduled commercial airline. In October 2025, AVi8 Air Capital announced that it had completed a business plan for a potential relaunch and had initiated the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification process. The proposed operation would require the relevant regulatory approvals before it could begin scheduled services.
A separate centenary initiative will see Pan Am partner with Holland America Line for a 28-day Caribbean cruise aboard the Zuiderdam, departing Miami on 30 October 2027 and returning on 27 November. The itinerary includes 18 ports of call across the Caribbean, Central America and Mexico, tracing routes associated with Pan Am’s historic flying boat services. The voyage will feature Pan Am-inspired dining, historical presentations and themed onboard experiences.
More information about Pan Am’s proposed relaunch can be found here.
