50 years on: The history of Concorde
Celebrate Concorde as the supersonic aircraft turns 50. Explore its origins, prestige clientele and why the famous aircraft was eventually retired.
Image: John Selway / Shutterstock.com
Can you imagine flying around the world at twice the speed we can today? Well, many of us remember a time when for almost 30 years, this was possible. The only supersonic passenger plane, Concorde, was a speedy way to get places for those fortunate enough to afford a ticket.
In this article, Sky HISTORY celebrates the 50th anniversary of Concorde’s first passenger flight. We’ll explore its technological breakthroughs, luxury reputation and controversies. We’ll even address why it was ultimately retired, yet still culturally iconic.
Concorde at 50
When Concorde lifted off on its first passenger flight 50 years ago on 21st January 1976, it was more than just a new way to travel. It was a statement about human ambition and engineering daring. For decades, the sleek, needle-nosed silhouette of Concorde was one of the most recognisable symbols of modern flight.
The super-speedy aircraft promised speed, luxury and a glimpse at the future. Now, half a century on, Concorde remains an icon of aviation history, celebrated not just for what it achieved but for what it represented.
Breaking barriers
Concorde was born out of a bold vision. In the early years of jet travel, engineers and airline executives began imagining aircraft that could travel faster than the speed of sound. The challenge was immense. Flying passengers at supersonic speeds meant solving enormous engineering puzzles related to heat, aerodynamics and fuel efficiency.
But by the late 1960s engineers in Britain and France had delivered a design that could do just that.
Concorde could cruise at over twice the speed of sound, around Mach 2. That meant it could fly from New York to London in just under three and a half hours, slicing hours off transatlantic journeys that once felt long even in first class. For passengers who stepped aboard for the first time, it was like stepping into a new era.
The first flight
After an Anglo-French treaty was signed on November 1962, both governments agreed to share resources for the development of the aircraft, and the first test flight took place on 2nd Match 1969. The 001 prototype took off from Toulouse, with the French test pilot delivering this iconic statement: 'The big bird flies…'.The British made the second prototype that took to the air from Bristol’s Filton Airfield weeks later.
As for Concorde’s first non-stop Atlantic adventure? This famous flight took place on 26th September 1973, flying at an average speed of 954mph. It flew from Washington to Orly in Paris, with the journey taking a record-breaking 3 hours and 33 minutes. After this, commercial flights started to take off from January 1976 when the Alpha jet flew from London to Bahrain.
Luxury above the clouds
Part of Concorde’s appeal was its reputation for luxury. Flying Concorde was never inexpensive and tickets were priced at a premium. The cabin was intimate and refined with quiet sophistication and its elite passengers were served fine food and wine.
Concorde also attracted celebrities, business leaders and travellers who wanted to experience the fastest way to cross an ocean. For them, it wasn’t just about transport or getting somewhere quickly, it was a badge of distinction.
Prestige over speed?
Concorde became as much about prestige as about speed, and its customers felt like part of the elite when they took a trip. But sometimes what goes up, must come down, and although Concorde was popular with its prestigious clientele it was riddled in controversy.
Concorde also received some negativity. The aircraft was notoriously expensive to operate. Fuel consumption was high, and the economics of running Concorde were challenging for airlines.
Environmental concerns also shadowed Concorde’s legacy. The sonic boom it produced as it broke the sound barrier limited where it could fly. Supersonic travel over land was restricted or banned in many regions because of the sound impact.
Concorde’s retirement
By the early 2000s Concorde was facing multiple pressures. The plane’s first crash in July 2000, which killed all 109 people on board, was the beginning of the end. Rising fuel costs also made its economics harder to justify. And following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, which dramatically reduced air travel demand, Concorde’s days were numbered.
The aviation industry was changing, with airlines focusing on efficiency and cost-cutting. Concorde simply became too expensive and technologically obsolete.
In 2003 both British Airways and Air France retired their Concorde fleets. It was the end of an era. Many mourned the loss of the world’s fastest airliner. Others saw it as an inevitable consequence of changing times. Still, the decision to retire Concorde felt like a cultural milestone, marking the end of a bold chapter in aviation history.
Want more updates on amazing stories like this from history? Sign up to the Sky HISTORY newsletter! Be the first to hear about new TV series, exclusive stories and so much more.
