Grand Hotel

CCLVI

The passenger spaces were on the lower deck.

Unlike airplanes today with their cramped “auditorium” seating, the 314 was divided by transverse bulkheads into a series of lounges outfitted with comfortable chairs and couches. Depending on the needs of the flight, the couches in one or more of the lounges converted easily to berths for overnight flying. Privacy was assured by pull curtains. 

Flying futons: An over-under berth on a Boeing Clipper. Note the arm of the convertible couch (right)

Set up for sleeping, the main companionway, and the opposite side of the compartment were still accessible to passengers. Generally, however, in flight all the berths were made up at once. Note the steps leading aft

This photo provides an excellent view of the convertible berth beds. Note the upholstery pattern

A typical passenger compartment as seen from the companionway. The table could be folded down and neatly secured out of the way. Cards, games, books, magazines, and the latest available newspapers were stocked on board

The De Luxe private passenger compartment, also known as “The Bridal Suite” was furthest aft, included a dressing table, and had direct access to the Ladies’ Room

The floor plan of the Boeing 314. As one moved aft a series of steps separated each compartment (due to the curvature of the hull). The area between the first and second compartments contained the galley, the forward (men’s) lavatory, and the spiral staircase to the upper deck. The main lounge doubled as the dining room at mealtimes. The de luxe suite, usually called the “bridal suite,” provided two passengers with intimate privacy. Each compartment was watertight if the plane was forced down at sea

Boeing 314 galley. Note the window with the venetian blind

Setting up a passenger’s meal. Note the Johnnie Walker Red bottle on the cabinet top

The Boeing 314 was outfitted with a fully-operational galley. Unlike the M-130, the B-314 was not limited to providing pre-prepared meals. Like life on the Hindenburg, fresh food was available.

The Main Lounge was where most passengers spent their time in idle goodwill. It doubled as the Dining Room. Note the silver service on the extreme left

The flying clippers tried as much as possible to replicate the elegance of a passage at sea. Food was expertly prepared and presented on real china plates. The silver was heavy plate. There was a small selection of wines and liquors kept aboard

This unusual color photo highlights the formality of dining aloft. Adults dressed for dinner (note the pearls), the table setting was purely continental, and the airline liked to boast that it provided Five-Star Hotel service to its passengers, who definitely paid the requisite price for it

Everythingpanam.com displays this Homer Laughlin logoed china used aboard the 314. The pattern was called “Swing”

Depending on the length of the flight the food might be a cold buffet (Everythingpanam.com)

The Boeing 314 used the menu of the Hotel New Yorker. Pre-prepared items were readied at Pan Am’s own kitchens

The dinner menu of the Atlantic Clipper for July 20, 1939. The menu included the ship’s name, registration number, and Captain’s name. There was Boston Cream Pie for dessert, and sinfully costly Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee (Everythingpanam.com)

 

The interior of the plane was outfitted in cool greens and blues. Pan American had undertaken a study that found that these were the most calming colors for passengers. In the same vein, the bedsheets were yellow because the color was supposed to reduce airsickness. Whether Pan Am’s color palette actually worked is a mystery.

The Men’s Room was strictly utilitarian but it was outfitted with both a toilet and a urinal

Especially compared to the Men’s Room the Powder Room was absolutely salubrious in Art Deco. There was room for a two stool makeup table

This large size cutaway model gives a fine representation of the interior spaces of the Boeing 314

Note the relative size of the Main Lounge / Dining Room. On fully-booked flights meals were served in separate seatings

A steward makes up the bunks in the Fifth Compartment while women chat in the Powder Room and couple relaxes in the Bridal Suite. Note the steps between the Fifth and Sixth and Sixth and Seventh Compartments