A Supersonic Renaissance? What it was like to fly Concorde

Credit: Airbus

With the revival of conversation in the aviation community about supersonic air travel, SuperFLY are looking back at the world’s most glamorous airliner: Concorde. 

It’s been almost 20 years since the final flight of the iconic Concorde and the supersonic jets are a beloved memory to those lucky enough to have flown on one. Only those of a certain generation will remember its incredible roar Yet, to this day the word Concorde inspires awe and fascination from aviation geeks around the world, and is synonymous with luxury innovation. 

A Rolex advert referencing Concorde.

With the tagline “arrive before you leave,” Concorde was the joint brainchild of British Airways and Air France, in an impressive display of international cooperation and optimism. 

Heralded the most technically advanced aircraft to have graced the commercial airspace, Concorde’s unique design was the pinnacle of innovation. Its pointed nose and cockpit would droop to provide a better view during take-off and landing, but flattened when supersonic. It would also expand from the friction of traveling so fast, making it 30cm longer in flight than on the ground.  

Concorde was capable of transporting passengers between London and New York in two hours. One could, theoretically, travel to New York for a meeting and home in time for tea. 

Queen Elizabeth II flying Concorde in 1977. Copyright: British Airways

But the price was high; roughly $10,000 for a round-trip, and the interior was notably cramped and unexciting. Yet for those who could afford it, it was worth it. These elite passengers flew twice the speed of sound, all the while being served caviar and sipping champagne from crystal flutes. It was common for celebrities to be on board, and those lucky enough to fly were seen as part of the most exclusive jet set club in the world. On board, there was even an open-door policy enabling passengers to join pilots in the flight deck during the flight.

We spoke to one ex-passenger, who recounted of her experience, “the excitement on board was palpable; on take-off it didn't feel as though my head was attached to my body. All eyes were on the clock at the front of the cabin waiting to see when the plane would attain Mach 2 speed. When it did there was a tremendous cheer and clapping. Unlike takeoff, the landing felt like a feather landing on the ground.” She insists she would travel Concorde again in a heartbeat. 

Concorde was retired in 2003. It had been struggling for some time with high maintenance costs and low demand, particularly following the 9/11 attacks and a high profile crash in Paris in 2000. With billions in production costs, Concorde was sadly never profitable. 

The future of supersonic? Last year US airline United bought 15 new supersonic airliners from Denver based ‘Boom’, though have yet to run any test flights. Concerns remain over the three key problems with supersonic travel: pollution, noise and cost. In an age where private air travel is increasingly affordable and accessible, it is questionable whether paying supersonic prices would ever be justifiable again. 

A digital model of United and Boom’s new supersonic jet. Credit: United/Boom

To find out more about your luxury travel options this summer, and book your private jet or helicopter, contact the team at SuperFLY. today.

This video explores the story of Concorde in depth.