When was Concorde retired from service?
Aérospatiale/BAC Concorde /ˈkɒŋkɔːrd/ is a turbojet-powered supersonic passenger jet that was operated until 2003. It had a maximum speed over twice the speed of sound at Mach 2.04 (1,354 mph or 2,180 km/h at cruise altitude), with seating for 92 to 128 passengers. First flown in 1969, Concorde entered service in 1976 and continued flying for the next 27 years.
Concorde was retired in 2003 due to a general downturn in the commercial aviation industry after the type's only crash in 2000, the September 11 attacks in 2001, and a decision by Airbus, the successor to Aérospatiale and BAC, to discontinue maintenance support.
More Info:
en.wikipedia.org
What are your thoughts on this subject?
22 Comments
Roger Beattie
Still looks ahead of it's time today. Richard Branson and Virgin wanted to take it on but were refused, shame.
janisleeb
Glad I had the opportunity to fly the Concorde from NY to London and back. It was an amazing experience.
Albeck1994
I remember as a kid in the late 60s early 70s watching the test flights come over my garden with their 4 jet fighter escorts in a square formation with Concorde in the middle, always dreamed of one day flying in that plane, sadly was never to be
Cottec
Way ahead of its time. Shame it was retired. Many other airlines had more crashes. Think it was soar grapes on certain countries that they didn't have it.
Alan Waites
You hear the roar as it flew over SE London on its way to touch down at Heathrow. Whilst it was a tragedy it crashed but I think they were looking for an excuse to withdraw Concorde. 94 passengers against 500 is a no brainer.
Irene Townsend
Should double guess, first thought was 2003, changed to 2006
Bob Fowler
Wonderful Plane . I remember first seeing it fly over my School we all got up and went to the Windows and watched it fly by. I dreamed of flying in it and finally got my wish when my Wife arranged a surprise Champagne flight for my Birthday. It was an experience I shall never forget so interesting and exhilarating . We had a film on the history and making of it and a meet and greet in the Concord lounge with the Pilot and of course plenty of Champagne which my Wife enjoyed. It was a sad Day when I saw the last flight back to Filton Airfield nr Bristol UK.😢 That reminds me I must watch the Video again .
dmarkc
Commercial SST.
Leanna Greenbush
Good guess.
Sylvia Angeli
I was fortunate to get to travel on one to Europe!!!
Susan Cece MacVicar
Missed 2 questions today. This was one.
Jenny Devereaux
I remember the two booms as it left the Cornish coast.
Cheryl Perkins
Just last week we watched a doco about the Concorde, it was fascinating.
robert karel
I remember one of the Airport movies had George Kennedy sticking his hand out the window of The Concorde to fire a flare gun. 1354 miles per hour, twice the speed of sound. Hey I know, I’ll open a window and shoot this flare gun even if we are going Mach 2.04! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Ok George, you do that! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Marcella Kosse
Got it.
Steve Kemp
Used to hear them testing the supersonic flights when I lived in Scotland (could hear the 'bangs' quite clearly) and also saw the last flight when it came into Bristol - sadly missed.
Douglas Oaten
I regret never having flown in one