Pan Am Terminal Legacy: Flying Clippers & Elegance
Welcome to our dedicated page honoring the historic Pan American Airways Terminal at Dinner Key, a pivotal location in the golden age of aviation. Situated on the scenic shores of Coconut Grove, Florida, this terminal was the heart of Pan American Airways' Flying Clipper operations throughout the 1930s and 1940s. From this bustling seaplane base, Pan Am's legendary Flying Clippers connected the United States to the Caribbean, Central America, and South America, ushering in a new era of international air travel.
Pan American Airways International Airport at Coconut Grove’s Dinner Key. AHP Collection.
A Hub of Innovation and Luxury
In the early days of transoceanic flight, traditional land-based aircraft lacked the range and infrastructure needed for long-haul routes. The solution? Flying boats. These massive, elegantly designed aircraft could land on water, making remote islands and coastal cities accessible like never before.
At the heart of this pioneering effort was the International Pan American Airport at Dinner Key, built in 1931 as Pan Am’s first custom-designed seaplane base. The terminal quickly became the airline’s primary launch point for passenger service to Latin America, serving as an air gateway between the United States and the world beyond.
Pan American Clippers at Dinner Key. HistoryMiami Collection
The Iconic Flying Clippers
Pan American Airways operated a fleet of luxurious Boeing 314, Sikorsky S-42, and Martin M-130 Clipper flying boats from Dinner Key. These aircraft were the epitome of 1930s and 1940s air travel—featuring plush interiors, dining service, and a level of comfort that rivaled ocean liners of the era.
As you explore this page, you will find historic photos capturing the majesty of these aircraft as they taxied across Biscayne Bay and lifted off on their journeys southward. You will also see vintage Pan Am timetables detailing the network of exotic destinations these Clippers served, including:
Havana, Cuba
Kingston, Jamaica
Barranquilla, Colombia
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Buenos Aires, Argentina
These routes were part of a larger vision by Pan Am’s pioneering founder, Juan Trippe, who aimed to establish an international airline empire at a time when few Americans had ever flown.
In the 1930s, air travel was a luxury reserved for the wealthy; a one-way Pan American Airways ticket from Miami to Rio de Janeiro cost around $500—equivalent to roughly $12,500 today—placing it far beyond the reach of the average traveler.
Learn more about the aircraft of the Pan American Terminal at Coconut Grove
Here is a facinating video of Pan Am’s Seaplane operations at Dinner Key in Miami’s Coconut Grove. (Video has no sound.)
Pan American Airways System 1933 Timetable. AHP Collection.
A Terminal of Elegance and Presige
The Dinner Key Terminal itself was more than just an airport—it was a masterpiece of Art Deco architecture, designed to impress travelers and dignitaries alike. In its heyday, the terminal hosted business leaders, Hollywood celebrities, and even political figures embarking on transcontinental voyages.
Inside, passengers were greeted by spacious waiting areas, large observation windows overlooking Biscayne Bay, and streamlined ticketing counters that embodied the sleek modernism of the era. Many of these features remain today, as the building has been preserved as part of Miami’s historical landscape.
Pan American Airways System Terminal at Coconut Grove.
A Lasting Legacy
By the late 1940s, advancements in aviation technology led to the decline of flying boats. The rise of long-range, land-based aircraft such as the Douglas DC-4 and Lockheed Constellation made water landings obsolete, and Pan Am shifted its operations to Miami International Airport. In 1945, the U.S. Navy repurposed Dinner Key as a military installation, marking the end of its reign as Pan Am’s seaplane hub.
However, the legacy of Dinner Key lives on. Today, the historic terminal building remains, housing Miami’s City Hall. It stands as a testament to the visionaries and adventurers who made Pan American Airways the most iconic airline of the 20th century.
The historic Pan Am Globe, once the centerpiece of the Pan American Airways terminal at Dinner Key, has been restored and is on display at Miami World Center.