In order to raise cash, Pan Am cut off its profitable left arm, selling its Asian routes to United on April 22, 1985. With United's service commencing on February 7, 1986, Pan Am's map would now have a huge void between Honolulu and Bombay with it's pioneering routes to Asia and the South Pacific gone. For the $750 million dollars, United also received 18 planes including all of PA's 747SPs, and 2700 of the finest employees in the airline business. Though the routes were profitable, Pan Am felt the cost to upgrade to modern equipment would be cost prohibitive even though the sale proceeds were directed toward the cost of A-320s ordered in 1984. This timetable and map were the last for Pan Am in Asia and the South Pacific after 50 years of pioneering experience. Also, see the United timetables, maps, and memorabilia pages. For United, the Asian routes have been consistently profitable even during the crisis years of 2001-2003.