Greetings, everyone! Bet you weren't quite expecting this, eh?
As I write this, it is Day 9 of working from home because of the Covid-19 outbreak. You’ve seen the news about people having to stay home unless travel is absolutely necessary, and airlines around the world grounding their fleet or suspending their operations altogether. Instead of worrying about the future, today I welcome you to join me in revelling on what was a glorious era of air travel.
As you are able to deduce from the header, yes, this report is that of a BA Concorde flight from London-Heathrow to New York-JFK. Do note that because I haven’t that many photos, the writing style of this report will somewhat differ from my other ones.
Departure Airport – Heathrow
The aircraft, parked at the gate. The photo was taken from the BA Concorde Room, which was luxuriant with offerings fitting for their VIP guests.
If you think the aircraft looks small, you’re not the only one. The length of the Concorde, at 62 meters, is comparable to modern jetliners like the Boeing 787-9, or Airbus A330-300. However, the internal fuselage width is only about 2.62 meters, compared to the A330’s 5.26 meters across.
The narrow fuselage had everything to do with reducing drag to allow for greater speeds, and achieve that it did.
Takeoffs were very loud, thanks to the Rolls-Royce/SNECMA Olympus 593, and its afterburners.
Concorde flights operated at very high speeds, and altitude. The climb was all the way up to more than 50,000ft.
Catch the speed indicator clocking Mach 2. ;)
Meals were served. I took no photos of the meal itself, however I did take it home with me.. ahem.
How’s the curvature of the Earth (with a bit of the Delta wing) for a dining view?
It should be noted that, although tickets were billed as First/Supersonic Class (and priced accordingly), it would fall under Premium Economy by today’s standards.
Arrival
Upon arrival, my brother and I took it to ourselves to see if we could take photos inside the cockpit. The pilots gladly obliged!
Thanks for this special FR.
Wish I could have flown on the Concorde even on a 1 hour sightseeing flight.
The interior and menu were less luxurious and more efficient compared to AF.
Nice souvenirs you got, didn't get some silverware or chinaware ?
Greetings, KL651!
Yes, very much. Still rings true for today's flagship F comparisons on both carriers, of course.
Ehe, I should've nicked them, yes. But I'm happy with what I've got. I also got a business card from the passenger right next to me, but that's all I have to say on the matter.
Thanks again for stopping by.
Cheers!
Wow, what a Concorde report--what a treat! This report is exactly what we grounded AvGeeks and TravelGeeks need during these dark times in commercial aviation. I really regret never having gotten to fly Concorde. I remember feeling like I'll always have time in the future, thinking Concorde would always be around. Thanks so much for sharing and letting us dream of what it was like to zip across the Atlantic and arrive before you departed!
Hi, KévinDC, thanks for stopping by!
One of the greatest engineering feats in aviation. Also what I regard to be the most marvellous Anglo-French invention probably ever!
Avec plaisir! I'm honoured to be one of the only 2 reports of the BA Concorde experience on this site, and one of the only 2 English FRs covering the Concorde.
It's a doubtful time for many right now, no doubt. With the way things are going, some of my stateside friends are concerned that, due to some states not imposing limitations on people movement at all, there could be future travel restrictions on US passport holders. Do you share the same concerns?
Self-isolation has been quite the experience here in the UK. Thankfully I never had to hoard anything because:
1. I use a bidet spray, so much less toilet paper needed, even could do without if need be;
2. I'm able to get raw food from farmers whose phone numbers are already on my contacts list :D
Thanks again for stopping by!
Cheers, to a possible return of supersonic passenger in our lifetimes!
I do share those concerns. Even in States where shelter-in-place orders have been declared, it is not being enforced, so many are choosing to ignore the warnings, and now we see the result with cases exploding. With everything going on, we've chosen to ride out the quarantine with family in France and not return immediately to the States as we feel much safer here with the better organised and coordinated response. Also like you in the UK, we have access to fantastic local produce and meats here in the French countryside. There may not be any TP in the supermarkets, but the shelves are overflowing with local fruits, vegetables, and meat. So for now, I can't complain. While my new home State of California was one of the first to encourage social distancing and issue a stay at home order, each State is the US is handling the situation differently, which is just creating a confusing mess or epic proportions.
One thing is for sure, the commercial aviation landscape will forever be changed by this pandemic.
This is glorious.
Yes, a bit different from your everyday Boeing & Airbus, eh?
Thanks for stopping by, and happy quarantine!
What a delightful trip report, from a bygone era! Thank you!
Amazing! Thank you so much! I know this current slow down will impact the development and launch of supersonic passenger jets, however, I hope the interest is still great enough to make sure these projects are finished.
Greetings, Juddsol.
There are many other potentially exciting developments in the world of aviation once this whole crisis blows over. For example, a startup airline called "Odyssey Airlines" might launch later this year or early 2021 based in London-City. They're planning to offer flights to North America and the Middle East with all-business class A220s. It's something I'm personally looking forward to, especially if they incorporate US Pre-Clearance.
In the way of supersonic jets, I've yet to read about anything that's going to quite match the Concorde in its passenger-carrying or speed capabilities. I thought it a missed opportunity that even the Concorde never got to serve transpacific markets like Japan to California. Perhaps we'll see them in the future!
Thanks for stopping by, and happy quarantine!
Hi Razz_Pr! What an experience for you! Just a couple months ago I was at Airbus where they have a Concorde in the museum that you can enter and walk through it. Have you been? I have a bunch of photos which I'll post from the museum when I get caught up on my trip reports. Anyway, good to hear from you!
Hello, Rewardflying!
Your time visiting Airbus sounds great! I don't think I've been, which is somewhat uncharacteristic of me since I do love my visits to manufacturing centres. I don't know if I will soon, even after the crisis blows over. Can't wait for you to share your photos!
Thanks for stopping by, and happy quarantine!
Amazing report awesome