1965-1980

Pan Am launches the Second Jet Age

Jumbo Jets introduce the “System of the Seventies”

Pan Am does it again

On January 22, 1970, twelve years after launching the Jet Age with the introduction of Boeing 707s and Douglas DC-8s, Pan Am repeated the action, inaugurating the world’s first commercial Boeing 747 Jumbo Jet service between New York and London.

Planning for what became known as the “Second Jet Age” began in April 1966. Pan Am Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Juan Trippe and his associates concluded that public demand and advanced aircraft technology called for the development of a new type of jet aircraft, at least twice as large as the Boeing 707. Orders were placed for 25 Boeing 747s (later increased to 33 airplanes), which, depending on the layout, had a seating capacity of 360-450 passengers. The financial commitment represented by Pan Am’s order was the largest in airline history. The Jumbos were to introduce a new era of travel known as the “System of the Seventies.”

Boeing builds new factory just for Jumbos

Boeing actually had to build a completely new factory to build the huge new aircraft and did so with admirable speed and production efficiency. The new “Jumbos” were rigorously tested and were certified for passenger flight by the FAA on January 1, 1970.

More than twice as big as their predecessors

Although not much faster than the B-707s or DC-8s, the Jumbos were an immediate hit with the public because of their spaciousness. Airlines loved them because their size — ability to handle the same traffic as two and a half 707s — increased the all-important seat-per-miles ratio, enhancing profitability.

Features of the new jet aircraft included high ceilings, wide-screen movies, room to wander with two wide aisles and cross aisles, vestibules for lounging and a spiral staircase leading up to a second deck featuring a roomy lounge complete with a huge, semi-circular sofa, padded card tables, swivel chairs and a bar, accommodating up to 16 people. The cabin width was 20 feet wide and 186 feet long. All seats had arm rests. On lightly booked flights passengers could stretch out on couches up to four seats wide.

Miami got its first glimpse of the new Jumbo on December 27, 1969, when the Boeing 747 Flying Cloud touched down at MIA on a nationwide press tour to introduce the new aircraft. Access to the aircraft was invitation only, private viewing by guests. But visitors overran the parking lot behind Pan Am’s Latin American Division headquarters and airline officials tallied 5,996 guests before they called it quits and turned another 1,000 away.

Inaugural hiccup slightly dampens historic flight

The official inaugural 747 flight from JFK to London Heathrow on January 22, 1970 carried 332 passengers and crew of 20. It was not, however, lacking in pre-flight drama. After taxiing to the runway, the Clipper Young America developed an overheated engine and the 7PM takeoff had to be aborted. Another 747, the Clipper Victor (Boeing 747-121 N736PA) was available. The name “Victor” was discreetly painted out and “Young America” painted in. The newly christened aircraft officially lifted off at 1:52 AM, arriving in London 6 hours and 10 minutes later. (See also “Stories” for more on the Clipper Victor.)

Other airlines quick to place their orders

TWA was the second airline to order the planes, with an order for 15, followed by American Airlines, which ordered 16 of the new aircraft. Other major trunk carriers soon followed suit.

First to Miami

Just as in 1958, when it was the first domestic carrier to fly a Boeing 707 to Miami, National Airlines was the first to inaugurate scheduled 747 service to Miami. On October 2, 1970, it began flying Jumbo Jets between Miami and New York. By the end of the month, it had added additional 747 service to Los Angeles. National purchased two of the aircraft.

More Jumbos arrive at MIA

Delta began operating 747 service between Miami and Chicago on December 4th, 1970. Northwest Orient began service to Chicago on December 15th and Eastern initiated limited service between Miami and New York with one leased Pan Am 747 on December 21. Eastern inaugurated regularly scheduled service from Miami to New York on January 7, 1971. The airline had originally ordered four 747s from Boeing but sold them to TWA, deciding instead to focus on acquiring new Lockheed 1011 and McDonnell DC-10 trijets expected to be released the following year. Eastern believed the smaller, three-engine jets would be more suited to its route structure. To bridge the gap until their arrival, Eastern leased three Jumbos from Pan Am which it operated between Miami and New York and New York and San Juan.

Pan Am did not begin scheduled 747 service from Miami until October 31, 1971, when it inaugurated daily 747 service to San Juan, and weekly service via San Juan to Caracas, Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. 747 Service between Miami and Panama was put into operation a year later, in October 1972.

Airlines struggle for survival as difficult year comes to an end

Despite the popularity of the Jumbos, the year which was supposed to herald a “decade of giants” turned out to be a difficult one for the industry, with many airlines reporting losses. The new 747s were blamed for overcapacity — too many empty seats — in a sluggish economy. For Miami, these difficulties were reflected in the first cutbacks in flights to the city since 1948. Soaring labor and equipment costs, plus higher airport rental fees and taxes were also contributing to the problem. As the year came to a close, nationwide, many airlines were tightening their belts in a battle for economic survival.

Up Next: The star-crossed history of the Clipper Victor