 Pan Am began its final preparations for the first 747 service on the evening of January 21, 1970, when "Clipper Young America" was scheduled to fly from New York John F. Kennedy to London Heathrow.An engine failure delayed the inaugural flight's departure by several hours, necessitating the substitution of another 747, Clipper Victor, which eventually flew to London Heathrow.Passengers cheered and drank champagne as the jet finally lifted off from the runway at John F. Kennedy Airport.