For an early history of Pan Am and the Pacific along with this story check "China Clipper: The Age of the Great Flying Boats" by Robert Gandt. The audiobook is

For an early history of Pan Am and the Pacific along with this story check "China Clipper: The Age of the Great Flying Boats" by Robert Gandt. The audiobook is ok but you need to download the supplemental pdf. I gotta admit the plane-tower conversation would make a great end to a movie.