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The Atlantic: the Concorde ("It saved time.")

Supersonic Airplanes and the Age of Irrational Technology
Was the Concorde a triumph of modern engineering, a metaphor for misplaced 20th-century values, or both? Link

Reminiscences and discussion of the Aérospatiale-BAC supersonic Concorde by an author who opens up the box of his grandfather's passports and documents. His grandfather was in global sales, and flew the Concorde monthly; he was one who had "his" favourite seat (1B aisle) and regularly received gifts, such as flasks of liquor, etc.

But the greatest gift of all was time. From 1976 through 2003 you could travel LHR -JFK in 3.5 hours, put in a day's work and go home.

Quote:

“The only reason I was able to fly so much was because of Concorde,” my grandpa said, referring to his monthly business trips from Miami to London and back in the 1970s and 1980s. “The most wonderful thing was reducing the number of hours in the air. From London to Singapore, you cut 17 hours down to seven.” International businesspeople especially were inclined to splurge on airfare because of the practical benefit; saving hours, even days, and avoiding jet lag. With twice-daily service from London to New York, it was not uncommon for businesspeople to take day trips and return home before pubs closed.

(I've my own memories of the Concorde. Aviation photography was an avocation (I was a shooter for Bruce Drum), and the time I flew one of Air France's Concordes, F-BVFF (today on static display across from the Hilton in Roissy at CDG), I received a nice commemorative digital watch as a gift - it didn't outsurvive the Concorde, I'm afraid. I'll admit I've visited on occasion, having a glass of wine in the Hilton lounge as I thoughtfully gaze at F-BVFF and reminisce. Speed. Sleek. She's still beautiful.)

It was the only civil aircraft the average person would go and see.

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanR (Post 25073118)

It was the only civil aircraft the average person would go and see.

I remember when I was a kid we all went to see the team Europe fly into ROC for the Ryder Cup. No one wanted to see the golfers....just Concord!

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanR (Post 25073118)

It was the only civil aircraft the average person would go and see.

I disagree. The 747 was a celebrity jet as well.

-- PS

Isn't it amazing how the 2015 equivalent of the Concorde is... an Airbus A319?

I'm talking about BA's JFK-LCY, all biz-class route. Quieter and more luxurious than Concorde, actually. Just not as quick and a LOT less stylish.

i remember after it was announced that the service was ending they lowered the pricing so that more people could experience flying on Concorde.

i had saved up the cost of the flight and about one month before booking the flight i got laid-off from my job. right after 9/11. so there went that...

Quote:

Originally Posted by GateHold (Post 25093023)

Isn't it amazing how the 2015 equivalent of the Concorde is... an Airbus A319?

CWLCY (BA1-4) is operated by two A318's.

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Originally Posted by GateHold (Post 25093023)

I'd fly this route if they'd fly slower so everyone could get a good night's sleep on board.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GateHold (Post 25093023)

I disagree. The 747 was a celebrity jet as well.

Was it? I don't recall ordinary people turning up at an airport just to see a 747.

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Originally Posted by alanR (Post 25159216)

Was it? I don't recall ordinary people turning up at an airport just to see a 747.

I do!

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Originally Posted by alanR (Post 25159216)

Was it? I don't recall ordinary people turning up at an airport just to see a 747.

Does POTUS coming into town count? Everyone loves to see the Boeing VC-25 arrive.

I did enjoy seeing what I believe are the only 2 Concordes in North America this summer. One at the Museum of Flight in Seattle and the other which they said was flight ready at a hanger in Barbados should British Airways ever choose to fly it again. They have analog eqpt on the Concorde which would no doubt have to be changed today to make it flyable again. But a Beautiful plane for sure!

Quote:

Originally Posted by MorePtsPls (Post 25196994)

There's an Air France Concorde at the Udvar-Hazy museum at IAD too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MorePtsPls (Post 25196994)

There are 4 in North America.

G-BOAD as at Intrepid, NYC.
G-BOAE is in Barbados.
G-BOAG is at the Museum of Flight, SEA.
F-BVFA is at Udvar-Hazy, IAD.

Still a beaut to this day!

Will the Concorde fly again?

http://www.theguardian.com/world/201...rs?CMP=soc_567

Quote:

A group of British aviation enthusiasts committed to seeing Concorde fly again has revealed it has the funds to purchase one of the supersonic jets and bring it back into service within the next four years.

Club Concorde, which consists of “ex-captains, ex-charterers and people passionate about Concorde” hopes to use £120m funding in reserve for its ambitious “return to flight” project.