The iconic Pan American World Airways brand, once synonymous with the glamour of international air travel, is set to come back as Pan Am Hotels, bringing its storied name to a new generation of travelers.
More than three decades after the collapse of Pan American World Airways, the legendary aviation brand is making a comeback through a new international hotel concept developed by Austria-based JP Hospitality. The company has secured the rights to launch Pan Am Hotel, a premium lifestyle brand dedicated to airport hospitality.
Unlike previous Pan Am-themed projects, the new venture is designed as a global hotel brand rather than a single property. JP Hospitality says the concept is inspired by the glamour of the Jet Age while addressing the needs of today’s travelers.
The first Pan Am Hotels are scheduled to open at European airports in 2028, with negotiations already underway for additional locations at international gateway airports. While the company has yet to reveal the first destinations, it says it already has a substantial pipeline of airport hotel assets ready for redevelopment or rebranding.
JP Hospitality believes airport hotels remain an underserved segment despite growing passenger numbers and the transformation of airports into major business and leisure hubs. The company says its hotels will blend iconic mid-century design with modern hospitality, offering flexible public spaces, premium guestrooms, seamless digital services and 24-hour food and beverage options.
The project also marks a strategic shift for JP Hospitality. Traditionally a hotel developer and investor, the company will now operate hotels under its own brand for the first time, creating an integrated hospitality platform spanning development, investment, operations and asset management.
According to the company’s development roadmap, the Pan Am Hotel portfolio is expected to grow rapidly after launch. JP Hospitality is targeting 16 operating hotels by 2033, supported by a pipeline of 28 signed or planned projects, with expansion beyond Europe envisioned once the initial airport properties are established.
Targeted destinations are among others Amsterdam, Berlin, Brussels, Copenhagen, Geneva, Istanbul, Lisbon, London, Madrid, Milan, Munich, Paris, Stockholm, Vienna. Outside Europe, Pan Am Hotel look at Dubai, Jakarta, Singapore, Tokyo, Sydney, Buenos Aires, Los Angeles, Miami, Montreal, New York and Rio de Janeiro.
For the travel industry, the revival of the Pan Am brand underscores the continued appeal of travel nostalgia. Rather than recreating the former airline, the new hotels aim to capture the elegance and optimism associated with Pan Am’s golden era while delivering a contemporary airport hotel experience.
