History and culture
Key West gave Pan Am its first Havana hop
Pan American Airways used a Key West-to-Havana flight in 1927, then opened regular service from Key West the next year.
Pan Am’s big map started with a short hop over blue water.
On October 19, 1927, a Fairchild FC-2 floatplane flew from Key West to Havana. It was a borrowed plane, and the job was to protect Pan American Airways’ right to a foreign air mail contract. The airline that later crossed oceans had to start with one urgent Florida flight.
Regular Key West-Havana service came on October 28, 1928, using Fokker aircraft. A year after that, the U.S. terminal moved to Miami. So Key West was not the whole Pan Am story, but it was the first doorway.
If you are in Key West, look for current local history around the old Pan Am office and early aviation stops. The route still feels close on a map. It was international travel, but it began with a flight short enough to imagine from the shoreline.
Where to see it
Key West early aviation history stops and the old Pan Am area downtown. Check current local history details before making a special trip.
Official sources
Last checked against these sources: July 1, 2026.