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Moments in history

20 years ago, the supersonic passenger jet concorde flew for the last time.

Jack Mitchell

A British Airways Concorde takes off from London's Heathrow Airport in 2001. David Parker/BWP Media/Getty Images hide caption

A British Airways Concorde takes off from London's Heathrow Airport in 2001.

This is part of a special series where NPR looks back at our coverage of major news stories in the past. Listen to the full audio story to hear NPR's archival audio.

There was a time when you could fly from New York City to London at twice the speed of sound. Passengers dined on caviar and sipped champagne, all while zipping across the Atlantic Ocean in just 3 1/2 hours.

The plane had a slender white fuselage, a pointy nose that moved up and down, and a delta wing that formed a triangle.

Air France pilot Michel Butel told NPR that flying this plane was like flying a fighter jet.

"It's amazing what you can do with that machine," Butel said.

He was describing the supersonic airliner Concorde, which 20 years ago made its final flight — marking the end of a groundbreaking chapter in aviation history.

The Last Flight of the Concorde

Concorde was a joint project between Britain and France, which is partly why the plane is synonymous with two airlines: British Airways and Air France. The plane's first commercial flight to the U.S. dates back to May 24, 1976. Concorde took off from London and landed with a roar at Dulles International Airport outside Washington, D.C.

Ira Flatow covered the much-anticipated arrival for NPR.

"We literally were on the apron of the runway when the Concorde came by. It was the loudest sound I had ever heard in my life," he remembered in a 2003 interview .

Travel time between the two continents was cut in half.

Concorde had its critics

Concorde's early triumph was hardly without turbulence.

Environmental advocates criticized the plane's inefficiency and argued its emissions would damage the ozone layer shielding humans and the environment from harmful levels of the sun's ultraviolet radiation.

United Airlines wants to revive supersonic travel. But what about climate change?

Concorde guzzled four times more fuel than a jumbo jet like the Boeing 747 , which could also carry nearly 500 passengers (Concorde's cramped seating arrangement could carry just 100). And a round-trip ticket in the 1990s could cost as much as $10,000 — about $20,000 in today's money.

People on the ground complained about the noise from Concorde's boisterous turbojet engines, and its alarming sonic booms as it broke the sound barrier over the Atlantic.

But Concorde defied its critics. For almost three decades, the small fleet of jets kept flying — and shattering records. In 1996, a British Airways Concorde crossed from New York to London in just 2 hours 52 minutes and 59 seconds, which to this day is the fastest trans-Atlantic crossing by a passenger plane.

Singer Phil Collins and his wife Jill Tavelman check their watches at London's Heathrow Airport on July 13, 1985. Collins boarded a Concorde and flew to the U.S. for a Live Aid benefit concert in Philadelphia — after playing the London stage the same day. Mirrorpix via Getty Images hide caption

Concorde became the trendy way to travel for celebrity jet-setters, from Paul McCartney to Elizabeth Taylor. In 1985 during the worldwide benefit concert Live Aid, Phil Collins played the London stage, then boarded Concorde and made it to the U.S. in time to play the Philadelphia stage — all on the same day.

"I was in England this afternoon," Collins told the cheering Philadelphia crowd after taking his seat behind the piano. "Funny old world, isn't it?"

The crash that changed everything

Over the years the cost to maintain the aging supersonic jets grew more and more expensive. And even though Concorde had a reliable safety record, everything changed on July 25, 2000.

An Air France Concorde taking off from Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris struck a piece of metal debris left behind by another plane on the runway. The debris punctured one of the Concorde's tires, sending chunks of rubber into the fuel tank. The Concorde's left wing burst into flames, before the plane crashed into a roadside hotel.

"We overheard a very loud, roaring noise," said Jamie Ritchie, a British businessman who witnessed the crash. "And there was a large plume of smoke some thousand feet high."

Firefighters spray water amid the debris of Air France Flight 4590. The Concorde crashed shortly after takeoff from Charles de Gaulle Airport on July 25, 2000. Joachim Bertrand/Ministere de l'interieur/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

All 109 people on board were killed, along with four people on the ground.

Aviation authorities immediately grounded every Concorde still in service. The planes wouldn't return for over a year amid government investigations and intense regulatory scrutiny.

A farewell to supersonic passenger travel

Concorde never fully recovered.

The crash did lasting damage to consumer confidence. Then, 9/11 rocked the airline industry. The sky-high costs of supersonic jet travel became even more difficult to justify.

"Commercial supersonic flight will become like travel to the moon: a goal achieved, and then long abandoned," commentator Lester Reingold predicted on NPR's Morning Edition .

Concorde made its last-ever flight on Nov. 26, 2003, departing London's Heathrow Airport and landing in Bristol, England, greeted by a cheering crowd gathered behind fences near the runway.

The last decommissioned Concorde sails down the River Thames and past Britain's Houses of Parliament on April 13, 2004, en route to its new home at the National Museum of Flight in Scotland. Scott Barbour/Getty Images hide caption

These days, Concorde is sitting in museums all over the world. But passenger air travel at the speed of sound may not be gone for good.

NASA and Lockheed Martin are developing a supersonic aircraft that reduces the loudness of a sonic boom. And a Colorado-based company called Boom has deals with major airlines including American and United to buy its supersonic plane , which is still in development.

The company says the jets will one day cut travel time across the Atlantic in half.

Sound familiar?

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Concorde’S Record-Breaking Transatlantic Flights: New York To London

The Concorde was famous for its incredibly fast transatlantic flights, especially the route connecting New York and London. If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: Concorde made the trip from New York to London in about 3 hours.

This comprehensive guide will explore Concorde’s revolutionary flights between New York and London in detail. You’ll learn about its record-breaking flight times, how supersonic travel worked, the elite experience on board, and what ultimately grounded this iconic aircraft.

Blazing Fast Flight Times

One of the most remarkable features of Concorde’s transatlantic flights was its blazing fast flight times. Passengers could travel from New York to London in under 3 hours, a record-breaking achievement that revolutionized air travel.

This unprecedented speed allowed travelers to save significant amounts of time and experience a level of convenience that was previously unimaginable.

Under 3 Hours

Concorde’s ability to complete the journey from New York to London in under 3 hours was truly groundbreaking. Traditional commercial flights on subsonic aircraft typically took around 7-8 hours to cover the same distance.

Concorde’s supersonic speed shattered this norm and offered travelers an incredible time-saving advantage. Passengers could leave New York in the morning and arrive in London in time for a late lunch, making same-day business meetings and leisure trips a reality.

Top Speeds Over 1300 MPH

Concorde’s top speeds exceeded 1300 miles per hour, making it the fastest commercial aircraft ever to grace the skies. At this incredible velocity, passengers could enjoy breathtaking views of the Earth beneath them while marveling at the sheer speed of their journey.

The aircraft’s sleek design and powerful engines allowed it to reach these phenomenal speeds, making each flight a thrilling adventure for those fortunate enough to experience it.

Schedule and Duration Details

Concorde flights between New York and London were scheduled meticulously to ensure optimal efficiency and passenger satisfaction. Typically, there were multiple daily flights available, offering passengers flexibility in choosing their departure and arrival times.

The duration of each flight was remarkably short, averaging around 2 hours and 52 minutes. This included the time spent accelerating to supersonic speed, cruising at supersonic speed, and decelerating for landing.

The precise timing and swift travel made Concorde flights a preferred choice for time-conscious travelers.

For more information on Concorde’s record-breaking transatlantic flights, you can refer to the official website of British Airways, the primary operator of Concorde during its operational years. Visit www.britishairways.com to explore the fascinating history of Concorde and its groundbreaking achievements.

Pioneering Supersonic Technology

The Concorde, a groundbreaking supersonic passenger airliner, revolutionized air travel with its record-breaking transatlantic flights from New York to London. This article explores the pioneering technology behind the Concorde’s incredible speed and efficiency.

Breaking the Sound Barrier

One of the most remarkable features of the Concorde was its ability to break the sound barrier, reaching speeds of up to Mach 2.04 (around 1,354 mph or 2,179 km/h). This incredible speed allowed the Concorde to complete the New York to London journey in just under three and a half hours, compared to the average seven-hour flight time of conventional aircraft.

The Concorde’s ability to break the sound barrier was made possible by its sleek and aerodynamic design. The shape of the aircraft, with its long and slender fuselage, minimized drag and allowed it to cut through the air more efficiently.

Additionally, the Concorde’s delta wing design provided the necessary lift and stability at supersonic speeds.

Engines and Aerodynamics

The Concorde was powered by four Rolls-Royce/Snecma Olympus 593 engines, which were specially designed to provide the immense thrust needed for supersonic flight. These engines utilized afterburners, which injected fuel into the exhaust to generate additional thrust during takeoff and supersonic flight.

The engines also featured variable intake ramps, which adjusted the airflow to maintain optimal performance at different speeds.

In terms of aerodynamics, the Concorde featured several innovative design elements. Its droop nose, which could be lowered during takeoff and landing, provided the pilots with better visibility and minimized drag.

The aircraft also had retractable canards, small wing-like structures located near the nose, which helped improve stability and control at low speeds.

Navigating the Sonic Boom

One of the challenges faced by the Concorde was the creation of a sonic boom, a loud noise caused by the shock waves generated when an object exceeds the speed of sound. To mitigate the impact of the sonic boom on the ground, the Concorde implemented various measures, including flying at higher altitudes and reducing its maximum speed over land.

Despite these efforts, the sonic boom generated by the Concorde still caused concerns among communities living near airports. As a result, its operation was limited to transoceanic routes, where the sonic boom could dissipate over the ocean.

The Concorde’s limited sonic boom impact ultimately influenced its flight paths and availability to certain destinations.

Luxury Onboard Experience

Concorde’s layout and amenities.

When it came to luxury, Concorde spared no expense. The aircraft’s interior was designed with the utmost elegance and comfort in mind. Passengers were treated to spacious seating arrangements, with only 100 seats available on each flight.

The cabin featured a unique layout, with seats arranged in a 2-2 configuration, ensuring that every passenger had both a window and an aisle seat. This allowed for uninterrupted views of the stunning landscapes below.

Concorde also boasted a range of amenities that were ahead of its time. Passengers could enjoy state-of-the-art entertainment systems, complete with individual screens and a wide selection of movies and music.

Additionally, the cabin was pressurized to a lower altitude than other commercial planes, resulting in a more comfortable and relaxed journey.

5-Star Dining and Service

One of the highlights of flying on Concorde was the exceptional dining experience. Passengers were treated to gourmet meals prepared by world-class chefs. From lobster thermidor to caviar, the menu featured an array of exquisite dishes that were sure to delight even the most discerning palates.

The service onboard was equally impressive, with attentive and highly trained flight attendants catering to every need. Passengers were made to feel like VIPs from the moment they stepped on board.

Moreover, Concorde’s flight attendants were well-versed in providing a personalized service. They took the time to get to know each passenger, ensuring that their preferences and dietary requirements were met. This attention to detail added an extra touch of luxury to the overall experience.

Celebrity Passengers

It’s no wonder that Concorde attracted a host of celebrity passengers. From musicians to actors, politicians to royalty, the world’s elite flocked to experience the luxury and speed of Concorde’s transatlantic flights.

Stars like Mick Jagger, Madonna, and Elton John were often spotted on board, enjoying the exclusive amenities and impeccable service.

Concorde became a symbol of status and sophistication, with famous personalities endorsing its unparalleled luxury. It was not uncommon to hear stories of celebrities mingling with fellow passengers, creating an atmosphere of glamour and excitement throughout the journey.

The allure of flying on Concorde extended beyond its record-breaking speed; it was an experience that allowed passengers to feel like they were part of an exclusive club.

The Concorde’s Decline

The Concorde, a supersonic passenger jet known for its record-breaking transatlantic flights, faced several challenges that ultimately led to its decline. These challenges included high costs, environmental concerns, and a fatal crash in the year 2000.

One of the main factors contributing to the decline of the Concorde was its high operating costs. The construction and maintenance of the aircraft were extremely expensive, resulting in high ticket prices for passengers.

The Concorde was a luxury travel option, catering to a niche market of wealthy individuals and business travelers who were willing to pay a premium for speed and luxury. However, the high costs associated with operating the Concorde made it difficult for airlines to sustain profitable operations.

Environmental Concerns

The Concorde’s sonic booms and high fuel consumption raised significant environmental concerns. The sonic booms created by the aircraft’s supersonic speeds were disruptive to communities near airports, leading to noise pollution complaints.

Additionally, the Concorde’s engines burned large amounts of fuel, emitting substantial amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. As environmental awareness and regulations increased, the Concorde faced criticism for its negative impact on the environment.

The Fatal 2000 Crash

The fatal crash of Air France Flight 4590 in 2000 further contributed to the Concorde’s decline. The crash, which occurred shortly after takeoff from Paris, resulted in the deaths of all 109 people on board as well as four individuals on the ground.

Investigations revealed that the crash was caused by a piece of debris on the runway that punctured one of the Concorde’s tires, leading to a catastrophic chain of events. The tragic incident raised concerns about the safety of the Concorde and resulted in a temporary suspension of its flights.

Concorde’s Record-Setting Legacy

Over 30 Years of Service

The Concorde, a supersonic passenger jet, holds a remarkable legacy in aviation history. From its inaugural flight in 1976 to its final flight in 2003, the Concorde revolutionized transatlantic travel, offering unprecedented speed and luxury.

Operating for over 30 years, this iconic aircraft completed numerous record-breaking flights between New York and London.

Supersonic Travel Possibilities

The Concorde’s ability to fly at supersonic speeds, reaching up to Mach 2.04 (around 1,354 miles per hour), made it the fastest commercial airliner in the world. This incredible speed cut the flight time between New York and London to just under three and a half hours, compared to the average seven-hour flight duration of conventional aircraft.

Passengers aboard the Concorde experienced a once-in-a-lifetime travel experience, soaring at altitudes of up to 60,000 feet and witnessing the curvature of the Earth.

Left Aviation Milestones

The Concorde’s record-setting flights left an indelible mark on aviation history. It became the first commercial aircraft to fly at supersonic speeds across the Atlantic Ocean, shattering previous notions of what was considered possible in air travel.

The Concorde also set various other records, such as the fastest transatlantic crossing by a commercial aircraft and the highest altitude reached by a commercial aircraft. Its groundbreaking technology paved the way for future advancements in the aerospace industry.

The Concorde’s legacy lives on, inspiring new generations of aviation enthusiasts and reminding us of the incredible feats that can be achieved through innovation and determination.

The Concorde provided the ultimate luxurious transatlantic experience, for decades connecting New York and London in a record-breaking 3 hours. Its pioneering supersonic technology ushered in a new era of possibilities for commercial aviation.

We hope this background provides useful details about the Concorde’s achievements and history-making flights between these iconic cities. Let us know if you have any other questions!

Hi there, I'm Jessica, the solo traveler behind the travel blog Eye & Pen. I launched my site in 2020 to share over a decade of adventurous stories and vivid photography from my expeditions across 30+ countries. When I'm not wandering, you can find me freelance writing from my home base in Denver, hiking Colorado's peaks with my rescue pup Belle, or enjoying local craft beers with friends.

I specialize in budget tips, unique lodging spotlights, road trip routes, travel hacking guides, and female solo travel for publications like Travel+Leisure and Matador Network. Through my photography and writing, I hope to immerse readers in new cultures and compelling destinations not found in most guidebooks. I'd love for you to join me on my lifelong journey of visual storytelling!

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Celebrity Passengers and Caviar at 55,000 Feet: What It Was Like to Fly Concorde in the ’70s

By Blane Bachelor

Nearly 20 years after its final flight, Concorde continues to capture the imagination of many aviation enthusiasts as the most remarkable airplane in history: a brilliant, beautiful marvel of innovation and ingenuity that became the darling of the world’s jet-setting elite.

With the tagline “Arrive Before You Leave” for its ability to fly passengers westward across the Atlantic Ocean in about three hours, Concorde still holds the prestige of being the only commercial supersonic aircraft (though that status could soon be disrupted by several emerging players reviving the sector).

Even so, those lucky enough to have traveled on Concorde say the aircraft will always retain a rarified air not just for its engineering feats—flying more than twice the speed of sound and on the fringes of space , at 11 miles above the ground—but also for an unmatchable aura of thrill and luxury.

“The atmosphere in the cabin was one of an exclusive club, and it was because these were the people who controlled the world, controlled the world’s finance and the world’s trade,” says Joe Cuddy, who worked for nine years on the Concorde fleet as a flight attendant and senior fleet trainer. “It was such an incredibly unique experience, and you were going faster than rifle bullets, twice the speed of sound. It was just a fabulous time.”

Here's what it was like to fly on the iconic aircraft during its heyday—and why it continues to inspire such wonder more than two decades after its retirement.

A first-of-its-kind jet

Concorde, 1976

First things first: Not unlike those A-list celebrities who only go by one name, Concorde, too, stands alone. There’s no preliminary “the” required; it’s simply Concorde.

The moniker, which is the French word for harmony or union, reflects the collaboration between France and Great Britain to develop the world’s first commercial supersonic aircraft, explains Bob van der Linden, the National Air and Space Museum’s curator of air transportation and special purpose aircraft. In the early 1960s, as the U.S. aerospace industry shifted into overdrive as the space race was heating up, the French and British focused on the supersonic sector, joining forces to share the multi-billion-dollar costs of developing a first-of-its-kind commercial aircraft from scratch.

“They literally did 50 percent each,” van der Linden says. “They fought over every little thing. They fought over the name. Of course, “Concord” in English doesn’t have an ‘e’ on it, and it does in French. The British compromised and said we’ll put an 'e' on it, and we’ll have the ‘e’ stand for excellence.”

Indeed, Concorde’s technological innovations still awe aviation experts today. British and French engineers designed features for the unique challenges of traveling at supersonic speeds: the aircraft’s adjustable droop nose, revamped brake systems, delta-shaped wing and expandable fuselage. Four Rolls Royce engines equipped with afterburners on each aircraft propelled it through liftoff and the sound barrier, or Mach 1, a speed of 662 nautical miles per hour at sea level, to a maximum cruising speed of 1,354 miles per hour, at altitudes up to 60,000 feet, right at the edge of space.

“People always ask me what it was like to fly Concorde, and I’ve always equated it to being a bus driver given a Ferrari to go and play with,” says Richard Westray, a Concorde pilot from 1999 until its retirement in 2003. “It really was extremely clever.”

A total of 20 aircraft were eventually produced, and 14 entered service with British Airways and Air France . On March 2, 1969, Concorde 001 flew into history with its maiden flight, and the first supersonic transcontinental crossing came in 1976, from Paris to Washington, D.C. Other early routes included Rio de Janeiro, Miami , Caracas, and Bahrain (which all were eventually scrapped, leaving just London and Paris to New York).

Fred Finn , a retired business executive whose 718 flights on Concorde earned him a place in the Guiness Book of World Records , still remembers seeing Concorde for the first time from the passenger lounge before his flight from Washington, D.C., to London in May 1976. “It looked like something out of the next century,” Finn says. “It was so futuristic and so gorgeous, and still is. People ask me which was my favorite flight and I say, ‘All of them.’”

‘Eccentric’ passengers

Queen Mother Boarding Concorde, 2006

CNT Editors

Steph Koyfman

Shannon McMahon

For an average round-trip, across-the-ocean ticket price of about $12,000, Concorde shuttled its upper-crust passengers over the Atlantic in about three hours: an airborne assemblage of wealth, power, and celebrity hurtling along at breakneck speed.

It was rare to have a flight without at least one famous passenger, from royalty to rock stars to supermodels. Finn counts Sting, Johnny Cash, Bruce Springsteen, and Paul McCartney, who “would draw happy faces and occasionally would play a tune,” among the many music legends he met on Concorde.

Finn, whose flights were covered by his employer, eventually became a celebrity of sorts himself for his constant presence on Concorde. He once made three transatlantic crossings in a single day to finish executing a contract, a feat that he says “was not a publicity stunt” and would be impossible today. “Concorde was a tool for business people like myself,” he says.

Concorde also enticed the wealthiest passengers with charters, both domestically and abroad, as well as several around-the-world trips. “They spent fortunes wherever we stopped,” says Cuddy, who worked on one. “We flew from Hong Kong to Delhi, and one woman spent $300,000 on carpets, to have them shipped back to the States.”

“They were an eccentric and demanding bunch, but great fun to be with,” he says.

Wining and dining at 55,000 feet

British Airways Concorde, August 1983

While Concorde’s crew relished the chance to mingle with famous passengers, serving them required a unique combination of professionalism and speed. The six cabin crew were in charge of executing multi-course meal service to 100-odd passengers per flight. “When you were traveling at twice the speed of sound, by the time you poured a glass of Champagne you’d gone 26 miles,” Cuddy says.

And pour Champagne they did. Dom Perignon was a popular choice onboard, and the Concorde Wine Cellar was curated especially for the fleet, with notable sparkling, red, and white wines, mainly French labels, paired to each course. Caviar was a signature starter, and entrees like lobster and duck à l'orange were served on fine china.

The inevitable hiccups happened, too, like the damage the aircraft’s steep rate of ascent could wreak on those exquisite meals. “They tried these new canapés that had a lot of stuff on each individual dish, and on takeoff it all tipped over and we couldn't use them,” Cuddy recalls. After that, he explains, special foil trays were used to keep items separate: one of many “service innovations” developed along the way.

Entertainment-wise, there were no cabin movies or back-of-seat screens—just the Mach display showing speed and altitude, and, of course, that astonishing view out the window. “Looking up it would be almost black, because at 55,000 to 60,000 feet, you’re almost on the edge of space,” Finn recalls.

Many passengers also relished the chance to be unreachable by the outside world for a rare few hours. “It was one of the only times when they couldn’t be contacted by fax or telephone, and they felt completely at ease,” says Cuddy, who counts the late Princess Diana as the most famous passenger he served on Concorde. “People used to join each other for a glass of wine, and then move on to another person.”

Others took advantage of the open-door policy to join pilots in the flight deck (except on takeoff and landing). Access like this helped create a remarkable camaraderie that both crew and passengers say they miss. “It was a big family,” Westray says.

The end of an elite era

Concorde Stewardesses, 1960

Of course, all good parties must come to an end. Despite Concorde’s popularity among well-heeled jet-setters, its exorbitant operating costs—it required about a ton of fuel per seat, according to van der Linden—and the harsh toll on the environment became too much to justify . In 2000, the aircraft’s spotless safety record tragically ended when a French flight crashed on takeoff, killing all 109 passengers on board and four people on the ground. Three years later, both British Airways and Air France retired the aircraft for good.

“In the last few weeks of flying, there were a lot of tears of passengers as well as crew, because we knew we’d never see them again,” Westray recalls.

Today, Concorde’s successor could be in the works, with upstarts like Boom Supersonic and Aerion Supersonic aiming for a return to commercial supersonic flight , and recently selling 15 jets to United Airlines . In the meantime, Concorde enthusiasts can check out places like Brooklands Museum in Surrey, U.K. , which houses “Delta Golf” Concorde and offers several Concorde-centric experiences, including the same simulator pilots trained on.

The Smithsonian’s Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. is home to Air France’s F-BVFA, the first Concorde in service with the airline and the one with the most flight time: 17,824 hours. Van der Linden counts himself lucky to be among the passengers on the aircraft’s retirement flight.

“I’ve said this many times: I know why it failed, but it’s a real shame that it did,” van der Linden says. “We took off from Paris at noon and we arrived at Dulles at 10:10 [a.m.], and that's pretty cool, to arrive before you leave. Across the Atlantic in less than four hours—that’s just spectacular. It’s a shame they couldn't make it work.”

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Supersonic History: What Routes Did Concorde Fly?

The Concorde is the stuff of aviation legend, yes — but also of rock and roll and show business legend. The story of how Phil Collins played a mega-concert on two continents on the same day is a classic example of how stars used the supersonic jet.

In 1985, a star-studded lineup of musicians played Live Aid in London and Philadelphia. The likes of U2, Freddie Mercury, Phil Collins and more played Wembley stadium; Madonna, Bob Dylan and Tom Petty headlined in Philadelphia, an ocean away. Collins wanted to play at both concerts, and the Concorde was the tool of choice. Collins played Wembley at 4pm, then left via helicopter to London Heathrow to meet the evening Concorde flight to New York. He landed at JFK, again boarded a helicopter, and played at JFK Stadium in Philadelphia.

The three-hour flight minus the five-hour time zone difference between the UK and the East Coast meant Collins landed in New York two hours before leaving London. Only the Concorde — part regularly scheduled airliner and part exclusive shuttle to stars, business leaders and politicians — could have made this possible.

Phil Collins could not do this today. The Concorde was taken out of service in 2003, and currently the only supersonic airplanes in the world are jet fighters and bombers.

The main operators of the Concorde were British Airways and Air France, each with seven aircraft. Where else did they fly the Concorde?

British Airways from LHR to JFK: The Classic Route

BA operated Concorde on flights BA 001 and BA 002 to and from New York's JFK, departing in the morning. The flights were timed to leave LHR at 10:30 am, arriving at 9:30am in New York, just in time for a meeting on Wall Street or in Midtown. BA 003/004, the Phil Collins flight, left in the evening.

But JFK wasn't the first destination for BA's Concordes. That honor rests with Washington's Dulles airport, which granted permission for the Concorde to land there. JFK delayed the arrival of Concorde service due to concerns about noise. BA also operated during the winter to Barbados (BGI), and there is a Concorde parked at Grantley Adams Airport. (I've toured her, but apparently the experience is currently closed .)

BA also operated scheduled services to Washington and Bahrain three times per week, Miami with a stopover in Washington, and to Toronto during the summer. Bahrain might not seem like a natural destination, but it was selected as a jumping-off point for BA flights further afield —a mini-hub — and eventually became a refueling point for BA and Singapore Airlines Concorde services, one of the first examples of code-sharing. More on that below.

Air France: L'Oiseau Blanc

Air France operated the "White Bird" on daily flights between Paris - Charles De Gaulle and JFK. The Paris flight departed at 10:30am local time, arriving in New York at 8:25am.

Air France brought the Concorde around the world, operating to Caracas, during the Venezuelan oil boom, as well as to Mexico City via Washington and to Rio de Janeiro. The Concorde had limited range compared to many subsonic airliners, and flying to Venezuela, Mexico and Brazil required refueling — in the Azores, Washington, and Dakar, Senegal, respectively.

The Kangaroo in the Room: Limited, Non-Scheduled Flights to Australia

The Concorde was a rare sight in Australia. First, the aircraft's range was limited without refueling, and refueling for a flight to Australia (twice!) would be an operational challenge. Second, its relatively limited seating, for only 100 passengers, would have made the flight cost-prohibitive for most people on such a long route. Both BA and Air France made demonstration flights to various destinations, including Perth, Sydney and Melbourne, but there were no regularly scheduled Concorde operations making the 11,000-mile route. Too bad, as the "Kangaroo Route" would be an obvious choice for a quick trip .

Charter Operations by BA and Air France

British Airways and Air France had regularly scheduled Concorde service, but each offered charter flights, often sold by tour operators. BA flew approximately 300 charters per year, according to Concorde enthusiasts . These Concorde flights were powerful marketing machines for BA and Air France, though not likely profitable.

Many such flights were around-the-world tours. The fastest was a 1992 Air France charter flight lasting 32 hours, 49 minutes and 3 seconds from Lisbon, Portugal with refueling at Santo Domingo, Acapulco, Honolulu, Guam, Bangkok and Bahrain on its return to LIS. The sun didn't set on the entire trip — the Concorde beat the sun.

Air France also got in the game, operating so-called "experience" flights, where the aircraft would take passengers up to experience supersonic flight over the Bay of Biscay. But many airports around the world were graced with the Concorde, ranging from St. John's, Newfoundland (for a whale-watching expedition in nearby St.Pierre and Miquelon) to Orlando (for the opening of the Epcot Center), northern Finland during the holidays (to meet Santa Claus) and in 1973, to view the solar eclipse (with special portholes in the top of the fuselage). Dictators were also known to charter a flight, as apparently was done by Congolese dictator Mobutu Sese Seko for shopping trips to Paris .

Singapore Airlines: Short-Lived and One-Sided

In 1977, British Airways operated a flight from Heathrow to Singapore via Bahrain, with half of the cabin crew from Singapore Airlines. This operation was intermittent due to air rights issues and horse trading with Malaysia denying overflight rights for more access to Heathrow. The service resumed in 1979 until late 1980. The port side of the aircraft was painted with Singapore Airlines' livery while the starboard side retained the BA livery. This aircraft is now parked at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, where you can tour it. She sports the BA livery on both sides.

Braniff International Airways (Wait...Who?)

Similarly short-lived was Concorde's adventure with Braniff International Airways, which operated Concordes owned by BA or Air France in the US for a brief period in 1979 and 1980. The aircraft was used between Dallas - Fort Worth and Heathrow via Washington Dulles, operated by a Braniff crew certified to fly the aircraft. From Dallas to Dulles, it was restricted to subsonic travel — less than Mach 1, to avoid the sonic boom over populated areas — and operated by a Braniff cockpit and cabin crew. In Washington, either an Air France or BA crew would take over for the flight across the Atlantic. When the plane operated on the US portion of the flight, its registration was physically changed with temporary vinyl adhesive (according to a media report at the time) to a US registration. This was generally seen as a marketing promotion by Braniff, and the aircraft was never painted in Braniff colors. The airline was facing financial trouble then, and it went under in 1982.

Mike Arnot is the founder of Boarding Pass NYC , a New York-based travel brand, and a private pilot. He never had the chance to fly on the Concorde.

AIR & SPACE MAGAZINE

Concorde: flying supersonic.

For 27 years, the Concorde carried passengers across the Atlantic Ocean at twice the speed of sound, on the very edge of space

Rebecca Maksel

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Rebecca Maksel | READ MORE

Rebecca Maksel is a senior associate editor at Air & Space .

Concorde Discord: Insulted Prime Minister Gets Revenge With Airplane

I ts slogan was “Arrive before you leave,” but Concorde passengers had to settle for slightly slower travel than that, at twice the speed of sound.

It took years of testing to convince the public it was safe to fly that fast. Although the famous Concorde first flew in 1969, the supersonic turbojet didn’t begin carrying commercial passengers until 1976. Meanwhile, test pilots broke record after record. On this day, Sept. 26, in 1973, the Concorde made its first nonstop flight across the pond, from D.C. to Paris, in a record-smashing three hours and 32 minutes. A Boeing 747 took twice as long to go as far.

Cruising at 1,350 miles per hour, Concorde went on to set the record for the fastest-ever transatlantic airliner crossing, on a 1996 New York-to-London flight that touched down just two hours, 52 minutes, and 59 seconds after takeoff.

The plane was both an engineering marvel and a model of international collaboration. Designed and produced by a partnership between the French and British governments, it joined the fleets of both Air France and British Airways. However, mixing business with politics between foreign powers didn’t always go smoothly, however. For one thing, the effort was a massive financial loss. Only 20 planes ever entered commercial service, and neither government recouped their investment in engineering and testing.

And then there was the extra “e.” Originally, the French and British officials overseeing the plane’s development agreed that it would be spelled “Concorde,” in the French way. But British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan reportedly felt snubbed once when French President Charles de Gaulle visited London and declined to see the prime minister, saying he had a cold; in retaliation, Macmillan decided to spell the name the British way on British planes — without the “e.”

Britain’s aviation minister at the time, Tony Benn, later told The Guardian that he came up with a plot to restore the “e,” and concord between the countries, when he attended the plane’s French roll-out in Toulouse. There, he simply announced that Britain was putting the “e” back on.

“We had to have the same name for the same aircraft, and besides, it was reversing an insult to the French,” Benn explained. “I didn’t tell anybody I was planning to do it, but once I had announced it in Toulouse, they couldn’t do anything about it. I said, ‘E stands for excellence, for England, for Europe, and for the entente cordiale .’”

The plane’s spotless safety record was shattered in 2000, when a French Concorde crashed just after takeoff at Charles de Gaulle Airport, killing all 109 people on board along with four on the ground. The damage to its reputation, coupled with an aging fleet and financial losses, conspired to ground the Concorde for good three years later.

Read about that crash here, in TIME’s archives: Doomed

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New York to London in 3 ½ hours? United says it'll be possible with new supersonic jet

United Airlines hopes to zoom travelers across the globe in half the time it takes today with an order for new supersonic jets.

But don't expect to book the sure-to-be pricey flights, à la the Concorde , anytime soon.

The airline on Thursday announced a deal with Denver-based startup Boom Supersonic  for 15 of its "Overture'' jets and an option for 35 more. The plane hasn't been built and still requires government approval.

United said it will buy the jets once Overture "meets United's demand safety, operating and sustainability requirements'' and that the two companies will work together to meet those requirements.

Overture, which is billed as an environmentally-friendly aircraft running only on up to 100% sustainable aviation fuel, is not expected to be introduced until 2025 and won't fly until 2026. The first passengers won't board until 2029, the companies said. Last year, Boom rolled out XB-1, a test aircraft .

"United continues on its trajectory to build a more innovative, sustainable airline and today's advancements in technology are making it more viable for that to include supersonic planes,'' United CEO Scott Kirby said in a statement. "Boom's vision for the future of commercial aviation, combined with the industry's most robust route network in the world, will give business and leisure travelers access to a stellar flight experience." 

Boom Supersonic founder and CEO Blake Scholl said in a statement: "United and Boom share a common purpose — to unite the world safely and sustainably. At speeds twice as fast, United passengers will experience all the advantages of life lived in person, from deeper, more productive business relationships to longer, more relaxing vacations to far-off destinations."

How fast will the Boom Supersonic Overture jet fly?

United said the Overture jet will be able to fly at speed of Mach 1.7, twice the speed of today's fasted airliners. 

That means it can cut flight times on many routes by nearly half.

United cited these as potential routes:

• Newark, New Jersey to London: 3 ½ hours (Current flying time: 6 ½ hours)
• San Francisco to Tokyo: 6 hours (Current flying time: 10 ¼ hours)
• New York to Frankfurt, Germany: 4 hours (Current flying time: 7 hours)

How many seats will United's new Boom supersonic jets have?

The Overture jets will have 65 to 88 seats depending on an airline's configuration, Boom said. United didn't disclose how many seats its Overture jets will have.

United said it's too early to say how much the flights will cost but spokesperson Rachael Rivas said the plane is designed to have operating costs that are 75% lower than the Concorde. The airline is working with Boom far in advance to make sure the Overture is commercially viable.

High costs and a fatal crash in 2000 were key factors in the demise of The Concorde in 2003.

The Concorde, operated jointly by British Airways and Air France , was the first supersonic jet to fly commercially. It offered up to 100 passengers first-class, albeit cramped, service at twice the speed of sound starting in 1976. It could cross the Atlantic in less than four hours, about half what it took other jetliners at the time.

► Ask the Captain : In search of supersonic flights

Contributing: Bart Jansen 

NASA debuts supersonic jet called ‘son of Concorde’ — capable of flying from NYC to London in 3½ hours

A eronautic officials debuted a new quiet supersonic plane capable of flying faster than the speed of sound and getting from New York to London in three and a half hours.

The 100-foot-long, 30-foot-wide X-59 supersonic aircraft, dubbed “son of Concorde,” was rolled out by NASA and Lockheed Martin on Friday, an innovation that officials said they expected to revamp commercial air travel.

The Concorde aircraft, which could travel some 1,350 miles per hour, was retired nearly 20 years ago after launching in 1976, plagued by costly maintenance and a fatal 2000 crash.

Its new progeny can travel 925 miles per hour while generating a less disruptive sonic boom in communities below due to innovations in design, shaping and technologies, officials said.

Over the past half-century, the US and other nations have banned supersonic flights because of the startling booms created when planes exceed the speed of sound, which is 767 miles per hour, NASA noted in a press release .

The plane’s thin, tapered nose was expected to break up shock waves that would cause a sonic boom on a conventional aircraft, and its cockpit is located about halfway down the length of the plane, meaning pilots would have to rely on camera monitors to operate it.

The X-59 is part of NASA’s Quesst mission, which is aimed at “providing data to help regulators reconsider” the ban.

“This is a major accomplishment made possible only through the hard work and ingenuity from NASA and the entire X-59 team,” said NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy.

“In just a few short years we’ve gone from an ambitious concept to reality. NASA’s X-59 will help change the way we travel, bringing us closer together in much less time.”

The Quesst team was shifting to prepare for the aircraft’s first flight, scheduled later this year, with integrated systems testing, engine runs and taxi testing.

After the maiden voyage, the X-59 would embark on its first “quiet supersonic flight,” officials said.

“It’s thrilling to consider the level of ambition behind Quesst and its potential benefits,” said Bob Pearce, associate administrator for aeronautics research at NASA headquarters in Washington.

“NASA will share the data and technology we generate from this one-of-a-kind mission with regulators and with industry. By demonstrating the possibility of quiet commercial supersonic travel over land, we seek to open new commercial markets for U.S. companies and benefit travelers around the world.”

NASA cautioned that the X-59 was a “unique experimental airplane,” not a prototype that would be replicated for commercial endeavors.

The cost of the project is $632 million over eight years, according to Bloomberg .

Faster than Concorde: fly from London to New York in just 90 minutes

Virgin Galactic reveals designs of 2,300mph supersonic jet

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Move over Concorde, Virgin Galactic is aiming to shatter the icon’s transatlantic airline record for fastest flight time between London and New York.

Virgin Galactic vs. Blue Origin vs. SpaceX: what sets the space tourism firms apart?

The spaceflight company has revealed the first designs of a Mach 3 supersonic passenger jet and announced a collaboration with Rolls-Royce to develop engine propulsion technology for the high-speed commercial aircraft.

Although still in the early concept stages, the jet is intended to reach speeds of around 2,300mph (Mach 3) - three times the speed of sound.

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In February 1996, a British Airways Concorde flew from New York to London in two hours, 52 minutes, 59 seconds - averaging speeds of 1,250mph.

But as CNBC reports, the Virgin Galactic jet’s supersonic speed could see flights between London and New York take just 90 minutes, while trips from London to Sydney could be completed in five hours.

George Whitesides, chief space officer at Virgin Galactic, said : “We are excited to complete the Mission Concept Review and unveil this initial design concept of a high speed aircraft, which we envision as blending safe and reliable commercial travel with an unrivalled customer experience.

“We are pleased to collaborate with the innovative team at Rolls-Royce as we strive to develop sustainable, cutting-edge propulsion systems for the aircraft, and we are pleased to be working with the FAA to ensure our designs can make a practical impact from the start. We have made great progress so far, and we look forward to opening up a new frontier in high-speed travel.”

Virgin Galactic says the Mach 3 certified delta-wing aircraft will fly at an altitude of more than 60,000ft.

It will have capacity for between nine and 19 passengers, and custom cabin layouts will be incorporated, including business or first class seating.

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Simple Flying

How much did it cost to fly on concorde.

Fares slowly crept up, which drove down load factors.

• Concorde was small, expensive, and offered a noisy inflight experience compared to modern standards.
• In 1976, a one-way ticket from London to Washington onboard Concorde cost £431, equivalent to £2,200 ($2,800) today.
• While Concorde remains a symbol of luxury and exclusivity, high fares and operating costs, coupled with unsuccessful promotional offers, saw the type's downfall.

People tend to get all misty-eyed about Concorde. It was small, cramped, and featured seats so narrow they would put Ryanair or Spirit Airlines to shame. The supersonic aircraft also offered a very noisy inflight experience by today's standards. Concorde was also horrendously expensive to fly on, with very few enjoying the privilege during its 27 years in service.

Despite steep prices, Concorde's seats were still filled by those who could afford the luxury the supersonic jet provided. Primarily, high-ranking executives and wealthy leisure travelers could jump across the Atlantic in less than half the time compared to subsonic flights. But still, the question remains: How expensive was a Concorde ticket in the plane's heyday?

An expensive way to cross the Atlantic

Concorde flew between 1976 and 2003, and its main operators were British Airways and Air France, although both Singapore Airlines and Braniff International flew Concorde for a short time on a wet lease agreement.

Concorde mostly crossed the Atlantic to the United States - its flagship routes were London Heathrow (LHR) to New York JFK (JFK) with BA and Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) to JFK with Air France. There were other routes, such as LHR to Miami (MIA) via Washington Dulles (IAD) and London to Barbados every Saturday, with routes dropping on and off the radar over the years. In this article, we will unpick some of Concorde's routes and examine how much they cost.

Want answers to more key questions in aviation? Check out the rest of our guides here .

In 1976, four routes were rolled out on which the aircraft provided service. Initially, British Airways operated flights from London to Bahrain and from London to Washington-Dulles. Air France, comparatively, operated flights between Paris and Washington-Dulles and would later offer connections to Rio de Janeiro and Caracas with stopovers in Africa and on the Azores Islands.

In 1977, it cost £431 to fly one way onboard Concorde between London and Washington. Adjusted for inflation, that's about £2,200 ($2,800) in today's money. However, fare prices gradually went up, and by 1996, a roundtrip across the Atlantic would generally be priced at around $12,500 in today's money.

How much is a good in-flight breakfast worth?

That same year, Braniff leased a Concorde to fly from Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) to London via Washington Dulles, a bizarre route considering that one leg was primarily over land. Those flights cost US$975 one way, which, adjusted for inflation, is almost $5,000 in today's money. If you think that's steep and the cramped and noisy plane puts you off, the service made up for it. A writer for The New York Times landed himself a decent junket flight in 1979. He said of a Braniff's Concorde breakfast;

“What followed the coffee was a breakfast of fresh papaya, guava, pineapple, strawberries and mangoes, croissants and brioche that might have come from a Paris bakery, a pretty good approximation of eggs benedict and a soufflé Gruyère, all washed down with Piper‐Heidsieck Cuvée Diplomatique. The china, of course, was Limoges.”

High fares would undoubtedly prove one of the major reasons that Concorde was ultimately retired, as there simply weren't enough passengers to account for the high operating costs of such a fuel-guzzling jet. By its final year of operational service, BA's annual costs stood at over $1 billion, which reached nearly $2.5 billion when adjusted for inflation.

As the years passed, the fares increased - by the end of the 1990s, you'd be looking at $6000 one-way fares to cross the Atlantic in a few hours. Some were willing to pay this regularly, such as famed cellist Mstislav Rostropovich, who would also purchase an extra seat for his cello. Or there's the case of Fred Finn, an international licensing manager, who flew on Concorde an incredible 718 times - his fares cost a total of around £2 million ($2.5 million) over the years, which is approximately £3.48 million ($4.43 million) when adjusted for inflation.

Concorde became a costly promotional plane

It soon became apparent that, despite the wow factor, Concorde was a money-losing machine and wasn't attracting enough passengers. Due to its escalating prices, Concorde operations saw declining load factors over the years , particularly in the case of BA - up to half of passengers onboard were flying on points upgrades, airline employees on discounted fares, or complimentary airline guests.

Limited-time promotional offers were rolled out to draw more passengers to the jet but were unsuccessful long-term. In 1989, British Airways offered a special deal for its employees on Concorde flights between New York and London. This fare was just $499, which sits around $1,200 in today's dollars. Public discounts were also made available at certain times, but not nearly as good of a bargain.

The crash of Air France Flight 4590 in July 2000 accelerated the jet's demise three years later when British Airways and Air France ceased Concorde operations. Nowadays, first class suites and Etihad's Residence have cornered the glamor end of flying. Like Concorde, they are costly, and even the most modern passenger aircraft is slower. But modern aircraft are far more comfortable to fly in.

Despite this and the high fares, Concorde retains a glamor few contemporary airborne products can match. Like a pair of too-tight shoes that look great but are hopelessly impractical, there were always people out there who would open their wallets to try Concorde, no matter the cost.

Looking to the future

Boom Supersonic, a Colorado-based startup manufacturer, is among the first major players to attempt to bring supersonic travel back to the masses. Notably, the manufacturer has even found some top-tier partners, such as United Airlines and American Airlines, which have both committed to ordering the plane.

Read More: 5 Airlines that Would Be Ideal Customers for the Boom Overture

But one thing will be certain about the Boom Overture should the aircraft ever enter commercial service: the jet will remain a luxury product for elite travelers. And as with Concorde, there will still be those who will pay a premium for such a unique service.

Did you ever get a chance to fly onboard a Concorde? Would you still pay upwards of $10,000 for a transatlantic roundtrip if the plane was still flying? Let us know in the comments.

Source: Britannica , Smithsonian Mag , CNN , The New York Times

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