Pan American, the intercontinental omnibus
In 1947, Pan American World Airways offered Round the World Services that would have been hard to imagine ten years earlier. Improvements in engines, altitude and endurance made a northern hemisphere commercial world tour possible.
The plan follows the intercontinental omnibus: New York, Gander, Shannon, London, Istanbul, Damascus, Karachi, Calcutta, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Manila, Tokyo, Guam, Wake, Honolulu and San Francisco.
Postwar aviation opens commercial circumnavigations.
Connect continents through a chain of major stops.
Four-engine airliner for long distances.
Atlantic, Europe, Asia, Pacific and date line.
Understanding the flight
Pan Am turns the world into one large scheduled line. The omnibus image fits perfectly: many stops, many countries, but one service logic.
Wake - Honolulu - San Francisco remains the most sensitive part, especially with a less enduring aircraft or unfavorable weather.
Before departure
- Choose a Constellation or Stratoliner, then calculate fuel and wind before the Pacific.
- Split the tour into three blocks: Atlantic, Eurasia, Pacific.
- Check weather at Gander, Shannon, the Middle East and Wake.
- Account for the international date line for immersion.
Suggested route
New York and North Atlantic
LaGuardia, Gander, Shannon and London provide a classic but essential crossing.
KLGA → CYQX → EINN → EGLL
Europe, Middle East and India
Istanbul, Damascus, Karachi, Calcutta and Bangkok move the line toward Asia.
EGLL → LTBA → OS0K → OPKC → VECC → VTBD
China, Philippines and Japan
Hong Kong, Shanghai, Manila and Tokyo form the eastern face of Asia.
VTBD → VHHX → ZSPD → RPLL → RJTT
Pacific and California
Guam, Wake, Honolulu and San Francisco close the loop over the great waters.
RJTT → PGUM → PWAK → PHNL → KSFO
Experience tips
The flight becomes more vivid if you keep local times and travel days.
The Pacific should remain real preparation: fuel, weather, diversions and patience.
Copyright Michel Lagneau 2013