This Friday marked the 18th anniversary of the Concorde’s retirement from the skies. G-BOAF made its final flight from London to Bristol on this day, carrying only a small group of British Airways employees to mark the end of the supersonic era. Let’s look back.
End of an era
26th November 2003 will go down in aviation history as an important date. On this day, the last ever Concorde made its farewell flight, closing the curtain on decades of supersonic travel and reshaping the future of travel.
The last Concorde in service was G-BOAF, owned and operated by British Airways. The retirement of this aircraft was particularly significant since it was also the last Concorde ever made. On 26th November, the aircraft departed London Heathrow for one last special flight.
This flight didn’t have paying passengers onboard, that was BA’s New York JFK – London Heathrow service a month earlier. Instead, G-BOAF was flying to its retirement home (and place of birth) in Bristol, carrying 100 British Airways executives, pilots, cabin crew, and other key staff.
British Airways Aerospatiale-British Aerospace Concorde 102 G-BOAF getting ready to taxy out to runway 27R for the last time ever at London Heathrow on November 26, 2003. pic.twitter.com/toCXzJ9yFW
— Just Airliners (@AusterityAirli1) June 12, 2021
However, this wouldn’t be a straight service west to Bristol. Befitting the occasion, the Concorde made a lap of honor around the Bay of Biscay, even going supersonic over the Atlantic for a short while. After 90 minutes of spectacular views for those onboard and on the ground, G-BOAF landed one last time in Filton, Bristol, at 13:00 local time.
#Onthisday in 2003 #Concorde Alpha Foxtrot took to the skies for the very last time. Taking off from Heathrow, the aircraft flew over the Bay of Biscay taking in a ‘lap of honour’ above Bristol before landing at Filton for the final time. #Concorde50 #OTD pic.twitter.com/CLnc4ElhQP
— Aerospace Bristol (@BristolAero) November 26, 2019
Back at Bristol
After returning to its city of manufacture, G-BOAF began preparing for its future. After the Concorde’s retirement, museums and exhibits across the globe attempted to secure the original jets for displays. Given that these planes would never fly again, this would be their best use.
This is the route G-BOAF took, but it didn’t go too far. With Filton Airport is now closed, the space is home to the Aerospace Bristol, a new museum. Here is housed the last Concorde, allowing enthusiasts to get up close and admire a relic of the past. For those looking to make a quick trip, you might run into some enthusiasts this weekend!
#OnThisDay in 2003 : Concorde 216, G-BOAF, made the final flight of the Concorde fleet when it flew from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Bristol Filton Airport (FZO) with 100 British Airways employees on board. pic.twitter.com/aBMMQH6E4T
— RAF Museum (@RAFMUSEUM) November 26, 2021
While G-BOAF marked the end of the supersonic era for at least three decades, that doesn’t mean interest has died down. If anything, supersonic travel might be back on the cards.
Concepts to reality?
This summer, United shocked the industry by placing a massive order for up to 50 aircraft from Boom. The Overture is expected to come into service in 2029 and bring a return to the supersonic era, pending all design and regulatory clearances from regulators. For aviation enthusiasts across the board, from those too young to have flown the Concorde to those wishing to fly that fast again, Overture is looking like the most likely choice.
What do you think about the past and future of supersonic travel? Did you ever travel on or see the Concorde? Let us know in the comments!
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