How Much Did It Cost to Fly Concorde From London to New York?

By Anna Duncan

Flying on Concorde was a luxurious experience that only a select few could afford. The supersonic jet, which operated from the late 1960s until 2003, was the fastest commercial aircraft in history and could fly from London to New York in just over three hours.

But how much did it cost to fly on Concorde? Let’s take a closer look.

Concorde – A Brief History

Concorde was jointly developed by British Aerospace and France’s Aérospatiale and first flew in 1969. It entered commercial service in 1976, with British Airways and Air France operating a total of 20 aircraft between them. Concorde had a maximum speed of Mach 2.04 (1,354 mph) and could carry up to 128 passengers.

The Cost of Flying Concorde

Flying on Concorde was not cheap. In fact, it was one of the most expensive ways to travel between London and New York. The typical cost of a one-way ticket was around £4,000 ($5,000) in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

To put that into perspective, the average cost of a one-way economy class ticket on a regular flight between London and New York during that same time period was around £300 ($375). So flying on Concorde cost roughly ten times as much as flying economy.

What Did You Get for Your Money?

So what did you get for your money if you flew on Concorde? Well, for starters, you got to experience supersonic flight at its finest.

The acceleration during takeoff was intense (and loud! ), but once you were cruising at Mach 2 over the Atlantic Ocean, it felt like you were gliding through the air.

You also got top-notch service from the flight attendants, who were specially trained to cater to the needs of Concorde passengers. The food and drink options were exquisite, with champagne and caviar being popular choices.

The End of an Era

Despite its luxurious amenities, Concorde was not a financial success. High operating costs and declining passenger numbers led to the retirement of the fleet in 2003. The tragic crash of Air France Flight 4590 in 2000 also had a significant impact on public perception of the aircraft.

Today, you can no longer fly on Concorde. However, some of the aircraft have been preserved and can be viewed at museums around the world.

Conclusion

Flying on Concorde was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that came with a hefty price tag. But for those who could afford it, it was worth every penny. Today, we can only look back on this iconic aircraft with awe and nostalgia.