Concorde’s Final Scheduled Commercial Service
On October 24, 2003, British Airways withdrew Concorde from commercial service.
Published · Updated · 1 min read
The Last Scheduled Service
On October 24, 2003, British Airways withdrew Concorde from commercial service. The final scheduled passenger flight arrived from New York at London Heathrow.
A Distinctive Aircraft
Concorde’s slender delta wings and drooping nose reflected the demands of supersonic passenger flight. The aircraft connected speed with specialized engineering and operation.
Not the Last Movement Ever
Commercial retirement and the final flight of an individual aircraft are different milestones. Later noncommercial positioning flights should not be confused with this passenger-service anniversary.
An Engineering Achievement
The airline’s history describes the aircraft’s testing and maintenance demands. Its service relied on sustained technical work, not only the spectacle of a fast crossing.
The End of a Particular Era
The retirement ended the regular supersonic service then available to passengers. It did not mean that all supersonic aircraft ceased to fly.
Sources
Found an error? Send a correction. Read our editorial standards.