A Pan Am Boeing 727-200 at the St. Louis/MidAmerica Airport

Pan Am Ticket Sales for MidAmerica St. Louis Flights Soaring Ahead of Expectations

ST. LOUIS, July 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Pan American Airways reports ticket sales for flights to and from MidAmerica St. Louis Airport are nine weeks ahead of expectations.

Dave Fink, Pan Am president, says, ``MidAmerica is a perfect match for Pan Am and our advanced ticket sales indicate we made the right decision. We believe the airport's growth opportunities are fantastic.''

According to Fink, Pan Am will be providing the St. Louis region with a hassle-free and reliable business connection to the Chicago area, as well as a convenient option for the central Florida traveler. Pan Am's Clipper strategy has been very successful in the Boston, Chicago, Pittsburgh and central Florida markets and Pan Am is rapidly taking hold in St. Louis.

Pan Am is an ideal carrier for the business traveler, because no advance purchase or Saturday night stay is required to get the best fare. Advertised fares can be utilized for both one-way and round-trip tickets, according to Fink.

Scheduled service at MidAmerica St. Louis begins August 16.

    Orlando/Sanford Schedule:
     -- Depart MidAmerica at 10:15 a.m. and arrive at Orlando/Sanford at
        1:15 p.m.
     -- Depart Orlando/Sanford at 3:45 p.m. and arrive at MidAmerica at
        4:40 p.m.
     -- Orlando/Sanford fares begin at $129 each way.

    Gary/Chicago Schedule:
     -- Depart MidAmerica at 7 a.m. and arrive at Gary/Chicago at 8 a.m.
     -- Depart MidAmerica at 5:30 p.m. and arrive at Gary/Chicago at 6:25 p.m.
     -- Depart Gary/Chicago at 8:30 a.m. and arrive at MidAmerica at 9:25 a.m.
     -- Depart Gary/Chicago at 7 p.m. and arrive at MidAmerica at 8 p.m.
     -- Gary/Chicago fares begin at $59 each way.

Flight information and reservations can be made at www.flypanam.com or by telephone at 1-800-FlyPanAm. 

About Clipper Class Service

An important element of Pan Am's marketing strategy for St. Louis is the deployment of Clipper Class Service.

Fink detailed Clipper Class, stating, ``When we set out to design our service, the challenge was to deliver a premium and enjoyable service at a competitive fare. The way to do that is to operate at underutilized airports and offer genuine service. Clipper Class will be defined by its attention to passenger conveniences, comfort, and avoidance of the hassles associated with airport congestion today.''

Fink added, ``Beyond the benefits of non-congested airports, Clipper Class service will feature our reconfigured 727's, which have had the total number of seats reduced from 173 to 149, providing passengers with more space, comfort and increased leg room. Seating will be open ensuring quick boarding and prompt departures. In addition, each flight will have an extra flight attendant for more individualized service.''

About Pan Am

The original Pan Am, founded in the late 1920s by Juan Trippe, set the standard for modern air travel worldwide as the operator of the famous Pan Am Clippers and, later, as the first to fly the Boeing 747. Along the way, Pan Am's blue globe became one of the most recognized logos in the world.

The owners of New Hampshire-based Guilford Transportation Industries acquired the new Pan Am in June of 1998. The new owners relocated the company's headquarters from Ft. Lauderdale to Portsmouth in December of 1998. At Portsmouth, the company operates a 220,000 square foot maintenance facility, as well as other aviation-related businesses.

Pan Am currently provides scheduled passenger service to Boston and New England through Portsmouth, NH, Gary/Chicago and Orlando/Sanford, Pittsburgh and Bangor, ME, and beginning in August, St. Louis.

About MidAmerica St. Louis Airport

MidAmerica St. Louis Airport is located 25 minutes east of downtown St. Louis in Mascoutah, IL, near Belleville. The airport is accessed directly from Interstate 64. The airport opened in 1997 with a four-gate terminal and significant room for gate expansion. The airport shares a 10,000-foot and an 8,000-foot runway with Scott Air Force Base, and plans are underway to link the airport to St. Louis and Lambert St. Louis International Airport by light rail. For more information visit www.flymidamerica.com .