note
Panagra, one of the most venerable names in the industry took off to the skies on September 13 1928 from Lima (Santa Beatritz racetrack) to Talara route using single engined Fairchild FC-2 aircraft now at display at Smithsonian Washington DC. This was first scheduled commercial flight in Peru. Company was founded by U.S. Captain John J. Harris as a venture between W.R Grace and Company of Peru (Shipping), Pan American World Airways and Peruvian Airways Corporation. Two years later, Panagra established route from New York to Buenos Aires which covered over 5,300 miles and took 7 days to travel with little or no navigation equipment and facilities on ground. Panagra, had to establish airports along the route including Lima, navigational aid and weather forecast facilities making the airline true pioneer of long distance air travel. When DC-8 was introduced in 1960, the same route took only 12 hours to complete. Under the terms of agreement between Pan American and Panagra, Panagra would operate flights south from Panama and Pan American would cover flights to the North. However, Panagra started to fly to Miami in 1950 to better compete with emerging Braniff Airways. Panagra was also first South American airline to introduce Douglas DC-6, DC-7 and DC-8s to service.
On March 17 1966 Panagra was acquired by Braniff which purchased Pan American's 50% stake in the airline. Panagra routes and aircraft were integrated into Braniff Airways by February 1967.
founded - demised (age)
September 1928 - February 1967 (39)
headquarters
, Lima
web
base airports
related operators
current /stored fleet (0)
