what is a concorde plane

The Concorde was the first supersonic passenger-carrying commercial airplane, built jointly by manufacturers in Great Britain and France. It made its first transatlantic crossing on September 26, 1973, and inaugurated the world’s first scheduled supersonic passenger service on January 21, 1976. The Concorde could fly at Mach 2, about 1,350mph, and carry 100 passengers and a crew of nine from New York City to London in an average of three hours. It was retired in late 2003 after flying for 27 years, and only 14 of the aircraft actually went into service. The Concorde was known for its technological innovations, such as its adjustable droop nose, revamped brake systems, delta-shaped wing, and expandable fuselage. It was a symbol of luxury and thrill, with a prestige of being the only commercial supersonic aircraft at the time. The Concorde was a joint venture between Britain and France, and it was the first major cooperative venture of European countries to design and build an aircraft. The aircrafts unique design included a tailless aircraft design with a narrow fuselage permitting 4-abreast seating for 92 to 128 passengers, an ogival delta wing, and a droop nose for landing visibility. The Concorde was powered by four Rolls-Royce/Snecma Olympus 593 turbojets with variable engine intake ramps and reheat for take-off and acceleration to supersonic speed. The Concorde was a technological masterpiece, but it failed to meet its original sales targets, despite initial interest from several airlines. The Concordes retirement was due to its operating expense, limited routes, and noise issues, including its signature sonic boom that prohibited it from flying over land. The aircrafts elite status allowed airlines to charge a premium rate for its flights, and it only had to fly at 50% capacity to break even. The Concordes legacy continues to capture the imagination of aviation enthusiasts, and there are efforts to revive commercial supersonic flight with new players aiming to develop successors to the Concorde.