The Pan Am Clipper was a type of transoceanic airplane flown by Pan American Airways. Designed as a flying boat, the planes used the water to take off and land, bypassing the need to build concrete runways. Named after the clipper ships of the 1800's, known for their speed, they were first commercial passenger transoceanic flights, linking the world in the 1930s and 1940s in luxurious comfort. During World War II, they were used for military transport. After the war, they were phased out, as newer planes could make longer range flights, and more destinations had permanent land runways. Overall, there were three models of plane used, and only 28 aircraft. Commonly, the Pan Am Clipper fleet were known as China Clippers due to its most well-known plane.