The Concorde was a supersonic passenger airliner, and a true icon of aviation, representing a pinnacle of engineering and design from the Anglo-French collaboration (Aérospatiale and British Aircraft Corporation). It was one of only two supersonic transports (SSTs) to enter commercial service (the other being the Soviet Tu-144).
Here are its main characteristics:
- Type: Supersonic, narrow-body, four-engine passenger airliner.
- Speed: Famous for its ability to fly at Mach 2.04 (over twice the speed of sound), significantly reducing transatlantic flight times (e.g., London to New York in about 3.5 hours).
- Capacity: Relatively small, typically seating around 92 to 128 passengers in a single-class, premium configuration.
- Range: Designed for medium-to-long-range flights, primarily transatlantic routes.
- First Flight: Made its maiden flight on March 2, 1969, entering commercial service in January 1976.
- Distinguishing Features: Its most striking features were its ogival delta wing design (a unique double-curve triangular shape), its long, slender fuselage, and its famous droop nose, which could be lowered during takeoff and landing for improved pilot visibility and raised for aerodynamic efficiency at supersonic speeds. It was powered by four Rolls-Royce/Snecma Olympus 593 turbojet engines with afterburners. Its sleek, elegant silhouette is instantly recognizable.
- Usage: Operated exclusively by British Airways and Air France on high-paying, prestige routes, primarily across the Atlantic. It was a symbol of luxury and speed, catering to business travelers and tourists willing to pay a premium for the supersonic experience.
Concorde was retired from service in 2003, primarily due to rising operating costs, high fuel consumption, increasing maintenance demands after a fatal crash in 2000, and a lack of market for a replacement supersonic aircraft. Despite its limited commercial success, it remains a legendary aircraft that pushed the boundaries of passenger air travel and captured the public's imagination like few others.
