We’re always on the hunt for unique things to do in LA. This past December, I surprised Kevin with 2 tickets to join the Pan Am Experience. Luckily, we were able to book our reservations for this one and only Pan Am restaurant just before the coronavirus lockdown. Even though everyone is now socially distancing from each other, I figure, hey, people still enjoy reading travel stories, right? It’s a good distraction. And one day this will all pass. And when it does, the Pan Am Experience is a perfect way to celebrate with all-inclusive drinks. Yes, very strong drinks! Follow our journey.
Complimentary champagne before boarding. They knew how to do it right in the 1970s.
A Pan Am Restaurant? What is the Experience Like?
In short, the Pan Am Experience is a retro-themed dining experience that recreates what flying was like back in the 1970s — before the extensive security checks and sardine-packed seating. Every year, Kevin and I exchange Christmas gifts at The Grove (a shopping mall in LA). It’s become a tradition that we love — right down to the fake simulated snow (could we be any more LA?). I could barely contain my excitement as I handed the card to reveal the surprise gift.
We love the holidays at The Grove, even if it starts rolling in around October!
Kevin’s reaction told me everything, “Oh, wow… This looks exciting. What is it?” Clearly, I need to do a better job on the gift set up! The full experience takes about 5 hours from start to finish. And let me add, you don’t actually take off on an airplane. It’s completely recreated on the ground at Air Hollywood, a soundstage that serves as the backdrop for nearly every film and TV show that takes place in an airplane or airport. If you saw Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood, it was the plane that Leonardo DiCaprio’s character used. Were you a fan of the TV show Lost? They filmed the show’s infamous plane crash scene here. And last but not least, Bridesmaids filmed one of my favorite movie lines here, which I CLEARLY had to re-enact for Kevin (several times). And that I was “READY… to paaarty!”
Pan Am Experience: Arrival
While the outside of Air Hollywood doesn’t look like much, the world of the 1970s is completely recreated once you walk inside and arrive at check-in. It really feels like arriving at a small regional airport with different check-in areas for long-gone airlines such as TWA, Eastern Airlines, Braniff and others. We loved the old school phones and all the actors scrambling around who didn’t break character once!
Check-in counter at long-gone TWA Airlines.
We arrived promptly at 6 PM for our check-in (no lines!) and made our way towards the travelers lounge with no security. Being in LA, there are no shortage of actors. And we could tell they were all having a great time. In fact, several of them actually were flight attendants previously so it’s a role they know well.
Meeting one of our Pan Am flight attendants before heading to the lounge before boarding.
The Pan Am Experience wants guests to be fully immersed in the world of the 1970s along with the elegance of the famed airline. For that reason, all guests are asked to to dress it up. We luckily read the rules (of course right before leaving our condo) — changing last minute out of our jeans into suits. To further channel the vibe, nearly all the props and outfits are from the original Pan Am flights with some of the rarer objects on display behind glass cases throughout the pre-boarding bar.
Pre-boarding drinks area where you can get mixed cocktails along with other drinks.
Playing the role of flight attendant. Who wants a drink? Clearly, I’m having fun.
Time To Board: On-Air Experience
After mingling and enjoying our pre-board drinks, we were ready to get on the plane. There are 3 different cabins you can book. I selected the main deck first class cabin ($675 USD for 2 people). It’s best for couples since it’s arranged with 2 seats side by side. The only drawback is that you need to balance all your food on the pullout tray vs. a table. And my tray was broken so it was a little like playing a game of Topple.
Inside the main deck first class.
The other 2 options are the clipper cabin (the cheapest of the options at $475 a pair), which includes dining tables set up for groups of 4; and the upper deck lounge ($875 a pair) with swivel seats and dining tables where they serve caviar.
Clipper cabin.
Upper deck lounge seating area.
Before take off, it’s time for the safety briefing with an overview on how to use the seatbelt and inflatable flotation device in case of an emergency if we were actually in the air.
And to go along with the 1970s businessman travel experience, it was time for some hot towels and more drinks! Kevin couldn’t resist ordering the Grasshopper, a mint flavored cocktail that was popular in the 1960s with fresh cream, creme de cacao and served in a classic Pan Am cocktail glass. Think of it as a blended Girl Scout Thin Mint cookie blended into a milkshake. I went with the classic Manhattan, which was much more of a sipping drink!
The grasshopper drink, almost too easy to drink since it tasted like a milkshake.
Hot towel service with some flair!
Time to Eat and Drink
I was a little nervous about the food part of the experience. After all, the big draw to this place is reliving the glory days of flying. But Pan Am was also known for its tasty cuisine. And the food was top notch. The meal was set up as 3 courses, along with a bonus cheese course. For the appetizer, you get a choice between a shrimp cocktail or a tomato and mozzarella salad. For the main course, they offered either chicken, a vegetarian pasta or the hand-carved chateaubriand tenderloin.
Chateaubriand tenderloin with veggies and horseradish sauce.
And of course, no meal is complete without some desert options. And we couldn’t help but get the dark chocolate torte.
On-Flight Entertainment
As we were wrapping up dessert, the captain came on and announced our on-flight entertainment would include a live fashion show featuring a variety of flight attendant uniforms through the decades. We could tell the crew really enjoyed this part as they pursed their lips and walked the catwalk down the aisle.
Post Dinner Tour: The Experience Continues
Following dinner, we were given the option to go on a tour of Air Hollywood to check out all the sets. It’s about an extra 30 minutes and well worth doing. Besides, we could definitely walk off some of that food we just ate. I personally loved the full-size airplane cabins and playing captain in the cockpit where they filmed the classic movie Airplane!
In the cockpit used for Airplane! Surely you can’t be serious… I am serious. And don’t call me Shirley.
We have to admit, it felt a little rebellious just coasting through security and not taking off our shoes and belts. I mean, it’s a set. But it still felt so strange.
The fake airport security on Air Hollywood set.
And there you have it. Finally, we got in our visit to the one and only Pan Am restaurant. Looking for other weird and wild restaurant ideas in LA? Well, you came to the right place. Check out our visit to Vespertine, a moving feast where the waitstaff are dressed in frocks and serve in a choreographed routine. Or my last birthday dinner in LA at Somni, where we dined inside a Michelin-starred kitchen with a team of chefs.
On one of the plane sets and not some weird quarantine situation.
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