<P> Pan American World Airways , known from its founding until 1950 as Pan American Airways and commonly known as Pan Am , was the principal and largest international air carrier in the United States from 1927 until its collapse on December 4 , 1991 . Founded in 1927 as a scheduled air mail and passenger service operating between Key West , Florida , and Havana , Cuba , the airline became a major company credited with many innovations that shaped the international airline industry , including the widespread use of jet aircraft , jumbo jets , and computerized reservation systems . It was also a founding member of the International Air Transport Association ( IATA ) , the global airline industry association . Identified by its blue globe logo ( `` The Blue Meatball '' ) , the use of the word `` Clipper '' in aircraft names and call signs , and the white pilot uniform caps , the airline was a cultural icon of the 20th century . In an era dominated by flag carriers that were wholly or majority government - owned , it was also the unofficial overseas flag carrier of the United States . During most of the jet era , Pan Am 's flagship terminal was the Worldport located at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City . </P>
<P> Pan American World Airways , known from its founding until 1950 as Pan American Airways and commonly known as Pan Am , was the principal and largest international air carrier in the United States from 1927 until its collapse on December 4 , 1991 . Founded in 1927 as a scheduled air mail and passenger service operating between Key West , Florida , and Havana , Cuba , the airline became a major company credited with many innovations that shaped the international airline industry , including the widespread use of jet aircraft , jumbo jets , and computerized reservation systems . It was also a founding member of the International Air Transport Association ( IATA ) , the global airline industry association . Identified by its blue globe logo ( `` The Blue Meatball '' ) , the use of the word `` Clipper '' in aircraft names and call signs , and the white pilot uniform caps , the airline was a cultural icon of the 20th century . In an era dominated by flag carriers that were wholly or majority government - owned , it was also the unofficial overseas flag carrier of the United States . During most of the jet era , Pan Am 's flagship terminal was the Worldport located at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City . </P>
when did pan american go out of business
when did pan american go out of business
December 4 , 1991
December 4 , 1991