Glitz and glamour as Pan Am jet departs Shannon Airport for first time in more than 30 years

Shannon Airport has marked a special moment linked to its aviation past, as a Pan American World Airways-branded jet, known as the Yankee Clipper II, departed its runway for the first time in more than three decades.

The flight, bound for JFK International Airport in New York, marked the conclusion of 'Tracing the Transatlantic' — a nostalgic 12-day journey celebrating the legendary legacy of Pan Am.

Designed to revive the glamour of the “Golden Age of Travel,” the all-business class experience treated its 50 passengers to a carefully curated itinerary along Pan Am’s historic transatlantic routes.  

Before boarding their return flight on Friday, passengers enjoyed a farewell Irish coffee reception at Shannon Airport — a fitting gesture of local hospitality to finish their nostalgic voyage.

Onboard, flight attendants wore authentic recreations of classic Pan Am uniforms, adding to the retro allure of the journey.

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Shannon Airport has long been interwoven with Pan Am’s pioneering spirit.

In September 1945, a Pan Am DC-4 completed the first transatlantic proving flight into Shannon, paving the way for the first scheduled transatlantic commercial passenger flight just one month later. This October marks the 80th anniversary of that historic milestone. Another landmark moment came in August 1970, when Shannon welcomed its first scheduled jumbo jet — a Pan Am Boeing 747 carrying over 300 passengers.

Speaking at Shannon Airport this Friday, Pamela Brooks, Head of Operations said: “It’s been a pleasure to welcome this commemorative Pan Am aircraft to Shannon this week. Pan Am holds an iconic place in aviation history, and while the livery certainly evokes a sense of nostalgia, having it back on the runway here after more than three decades also highlights Shannon Airport’s own enduring role in transatlantic travel.”

It was old world glamour @ShannonAirport today as the crew of the first Pan Am branded jet to take off from the airport in over 30 years strutted their stuff in vintage uniforms before jetting to New York’s JFK. ✈️

The flight marked the finale of the nostalgic “Tracing the… pic.twitter.com/3Qy8wmKJeM

— The Shannon Airport Group (@SNNAirportGroup) June 27, 2025

The “Tracing the Transatlantic” experience was created by Bartelings in collaboration with Criterion Travel, under official license from Pan American World Airways and visited Bermuda, Lisbon, Marseille, London, and Shannon.

After their arrival at Shannon on Wednesday, guests enjoyed a luxurious two-night stay at Adare Manor, and a special gala dinner in Foynes Flying Boat Museum before their departure from Shannon Airport.