Travel

Do you remember Eastern, National and Pan Am? A look back at air travel in Miami

By Miami Herald Archives

If you’re getting ready to travel, you’ll be in touch with your airline to check ticket prices and flight status. Are you flying Eastern? Pan Am? National Airlines?

Oh, wait, excuse us. We’re a little stuck in the 1960s, ‘70s and ’80s. When you flew to and from South Florida back then, it was likely on one of the Big 3, which had a major presence in Miami.

All three airlines fell victim to financial problems and eventually folded their wings.

Miami-based National Airlines and Eastern Airlines are no more. But the names, if not the mission, live on as a new cargo and charter airline companies. And Pan Am survives in our memories and with licensed merchandise.

While your flight won’t be on those airlines anymore, let’s take a look back at airline travel decades ago from the archives of the Miami Herald:

Eastern Airlines

Eastern had a special place in Miami’s heart — and in its economic engine. The airline’s headquarters and hub meant a devoted following and employment base. Neighborhoods around the airport were filled with Eastern accountants, mechanics, painters, pilots and their families.

MORE: Eastern Airlines once flew high over Miami. Then came the day it was grounded forever

Visitors and friend take pictures as the new Eastern Airlines charter service welcomes its first aircraft to Miami International Airport in December 2014.
Visitors and friend take pictures as the new Eastern Airlines charter service welcomes its first aircraft to Miami International Airport in December 2014. Peter Andrew Bosch Miami Herald File
An Eastern Airlines L-1011 TriStar takes off from Miami International Airport. The tower is at left.
An Eastern Airlines L-1011 TriStar takes off from Miami International Airport. The tower is at left. Bob East Miami Herald File
In 2001, an airline-themed restaurant in Miami called The Spirit had an Eastern reunion and featured models hanging from the ceiling and walls lined with memorabilia.
In 2001, an airline-themed restaurant in Miami called The Spirit had an Eastern reunion and featured models hanging from the ceiling and walls lined with memorabilia. Chuck Fadely Herald Herald File
An Eastern airlines plane over Miami in 1994.
An Eastern airlines plane over Miami in 1994. Miami Herald File
Eastern Airlines passengers disembark in the 1970s.
Eastern Airlines passengers disembark in the 1970s. Miami Herald File / HistoryMiami
Eastern Airlines passengers lined up to check in for flights in the 1970s.
Eastern Airlines passengers lined up to check in for flights in the 1970s. none Miami Herald File / HistoryMiami
In March 1970, crowds gather at the Eastern Airlines desk in Miami.
In March 1970, crowds gather at the Eastern Airlines desk in Miami. Dave Didio Miami Herald File
Eastern Airlines jets and “Fly Eastern” signs in Miami.
Eastern Airlines jets and “Fly Eastern” signs in Miami. C.W. Griffin Miami Herald File
Passengers board a 44-passenger Convair Metropolitan for a morning flight in 1963.
Passengers board a 44-passenger Convair Metropolitan for a morning flight in 1963. Miami Herald File
Miami International Airport in the late 1950s.
Miami International Airport in the late 1950s. Miami Herald File / HistoryMiami

National Airlines

With orange-trimmed planes and suggestive TV ads, National Airlines foreshadowed the flash and brash of Miami decades later.

National Airlines chalks up arrivals and departures at Miami International Airport.
National Airlines chalks up arrivals and departures at Miami International Airport. Bill Sanders Miami Herald File
Crowds at the National ticket counter in 1967 after the end of an airline strike.
Crowds at the National ticket counter in 1967 after the end of an airline strike. Eamon Kennedy Miami Herald File
National Airlines jets lined up at a Miami's International Airport hangar in 1974
National Airlines jets lined up at a Miami's International Airport hangar in 1974 Miami Herald File
Janet Morgan celebrates the end of a National Airlines strike in the 1970s.
Janet Morgan celebrates the end of a National Airlines strike in the 1970s. Albert Coya Miami Herald File
A National Airlines 747 in Miami.
A National Airlines 747 in Miami. Miami Herald File
A National Airlines 727 takes off in Miami.
A National Airlines 727 takes off in Miami. Miami Herald File

Pan American World Airways

Pan Am, known for its international flights, had roots in Miami as the base of the “clipper” seaplane service out of Coconut Grove. The terminal is now Miami City Hall. A Pan Am building at the Miami airport is now being renovated to house a new private luxury terminal, with some of the original logos and flourishes getting restored.

MORE: A private Miami airport terminal for elite travel? See what’s coming to old site

A class of flight attendant trainees lleaves the Pan American Stewardess College in Miami in 1968.
A class of flight attendant trainees lleaves the Pan American Stewardess College in Miami in 1968. Miami Herald File / Pan American
People deplane at the Miami airport in 1962.
People deplane at the Miami airport in 1962. Mike Smith Miami Herald File
A Pan Am plane in Miami in 1961.
A Pan Am plane in Miami in 1961. Bob East Miami Herald File
The former Pan Am seaplane base in Coconut Grove.
The former Pan Am seaplane base in Coconut Grove. John Walther Miami Herald File
A Pan Am plane in Miami in 1961.
A Pan Am plane in Miami in 1961. Bob East Miami Herald File
The American Clipper takes off from Dinner Key on its long journey to Rio de Janeiro. The flying Clipper ships were a familiar figure to the many thousands of tourists, and Miami residents, who converged daily at the old Dinner Key base to see their arrival from South America.
The American Clipper takes off from Dinner Key on its long journey to Rio de Janeiro. The flying Clipper ships were a familiar figure to the many thousands of tourists, and Miami residents, who converged daily at the old Dinner Key base to see their arrival from South America. Miami Herald File
A Pan Am plane returns to the water for a 70th anniversary party at Miami City Hall, original site of Pan Am’s air base. They brought in a Grumman Mallard seaplane, which landed nearby, attracting the attention of boaters, including this kayaker.
A Pan Am plane returns to the water for a 70th anniversary party at Miami City Hall, original site of Pan Am’s air base. They brought in a Grumman Mallard seaplane, which landed nearby, attracting the attention of boaters, including this kayaker. Chuck Fadely Miami Herald File
A Carnival Air Lines plane lands at Miami International Airport. PanAm bought out Carnival in 1997.
A Carnival Air Lines plane lands at Miami International Airport. PanAm bought out Carnival in 1997. Peter Andrew Bosch
In 1968, Pan Am workers lower a wing panel into place.
In 1968, Pan Am workers lower a wing panel into place.
Pan Am ticket counter at Miami international airport ,with a flightheaded to San Juan.
Pan Am ticket counter at Miami international airport ,with a flightheaded to San Juan. Peter Andrew Bosch
A vintage photo of the Pan American World Airways hangar at Miami International Airport in Miami, Florida.
A vintage photo of the Pan American World Airways hangar at Miami International Airport in Miami, Florida. handout handout

This story was originally published December 17, 2025 at 10:47 AM.

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