AFJROTC Commercial and General Aviation Take Off Practice Exam

Which aircraft did Pan Am select for its transatlantic service in 1958?

1. Boeing 707

2. Airbus A300

3. Douglas DC-8

4. Lockheed L-1011

The correct answer is: Boeing 707

Pan Am selected the Boeing 707 for its transatlantic service in 1958 because it was the first successful jet airliner capable of long-distance travel, which significantly reduced flight times across the Atlantic. The 707 offered advanced technology, including turbojet engines that provided higher speeds and better fuel efficiency compared to earlier piston-engine aircraft. It also featured a pressurized cabin and was designed to carry more passengers, which made it ideal for the growing demand for transatlantic travel during that era. Additionally, the Boeing 707 played a crucial role in establishing jet travel as the new standard for international air travel, contributing to a reputational shift for Pan Am as a pioneer in commercial aviation. The other aircraft listed were either introduced slightly later or were not specifically chosen by Pan Am for its transatlantic operations at that time.