In April 1970, Pan Am was in its 3rd month of operating Boeing 747's. PA launched Trippe and Allen's baby in a difficult environment with demand for flying falling in a recession, combined with new overcapacity. The severe problems with the giant Pratt JT3-D engines shutting down and overheating didn't help. Boeing almost went bankrupt building the Jumbo, and many say this was Pan Am's beginning of the end. Pan Am's 747-100 were flying virtually all it's major routes at this time. At the end of the day, the risk paid off and the 747 went on to revolutionize air travel and make a mint for Boeing.