On June 17, 1947, Pan American World Airways permanently altered human geography by introducing the world’s first scheduled commercial around-the-world flight service. For the steep price of $1,700—roughly equivalent to half of an average American’s annual salary at the time—affluent passengers could board a luxurious Lockheed Constellation named the Clipper America and circumnavigate the earth.
The true marvel of this historic route was the sheer endurance required by both the aircraft and its passengers. Spanning over 22,000 miles, the flight took roughly 13 days to complete and required stops in more than a dozen cities, including London, Istanbul, Karachi, Manila, and Honolulu. Far from a stressful commute, Pan Am marketed this grueling journey as the ultimate luxury experience, filled with multi-course gourmet meals, fine champagne, and sleeper berths that paved the way for modern international tourism.
