World Wings International, Inc.

  
Pan Am flight attendants in the early 1960s
present meals in Rainbow (Economy) class.

     World Wings International, Inc. had its beginnings in 1952 on the West Coast, when former Pan Am flight attendants based in the San Francisco Bay Area organized to keep in touch with friends from their flying days.  In 1957, former flight attendants on Long Island did the same, creating World Wings and incorporating the organization under the laws of the State of New York.
 
     In 1958, the two groups merged and World Wings International officially took flight - the same year that Pan Am introduced jet travel with the first transatlantic flight of the Boeing 707.
         

     
     In the 1970s, more men joined the Pan Am Flight Service ranks and a new uniform, in a choice of blue or gold and topped with a derby hat, stood out at airports around the globe.

        The organization grew as Pan Am expanded its fleet and worldwide routes.  More flight attendants, male and female, were hired in the 1960s and 1970s and the ranks expanded again with the 1980 merger with National Airlines.  Many flight attendants retired after just a few years of service.  World Wings provided the perfect opportunity to maintain the friendships forged with the World's Most Experienced Airline.  Soon, World Wings had chapters throughout the US and abroad.  World Wings International was incorporated in 1959, becoming World Wings International, Inc.
 

       
World Wings International proudly supports CARE's programs to help women and girls in developing countries.

       Although World Wings started primarily as a social group, it soon became a socially conscious one.  Each chapter supports one or more local charities including schools, hospitals, research, shelters, and soup kitchens.  In 1994, World Wings International voted to adopt CARE as its official charity, in addition to individual chapter efforts.  Today, World Wings is a major donor to CARE, supporting its programs to aid women and children in developing countries.  Since its founding, World Wings has contributed more than           $3 million to various charitable causes. 

     When Pan American World Airways ceased operations in 1991, World Wings International's membership grew.  All Pan Am's flight attendants were now former employees and eager to stay connected.  Today, there are 2400 members in 30 chapters in the US, Europe and Japan.  Members are active in their communities and involved in an array of professions - travel real estate, business, teaching, medicine and in aviation, flying for United and Delta.
 
     Members enjoy a range of social events and annual conventions as well as an opportunity to give back to their local and global communities. World Wings helps former flight attendants to maintain and renew friendships, and enjoy the camaraderie of other women and men who share the unique and rewarding experience of working for Pan Am.


   




World Wings members pose with Frank Abagnale, the keynote speaker at the 2006 World Wings Convention in Las Vegas. Mr. Abagnale was the subject of the book and movie, "Catch Me If You Can"

      World Wingers are proud of their organization and proud to have played a part in the history of Pan American World Airways.  Pan Am was a world leader in aviation and World Wings International, Inc. is committed to preserving its exceptional history and the role its flight attendants played in its success.  Pan American World Airways may be gone, but it is not forgotten by World Wings International.