Record crowds expected at Concorde farewell
A quarter of a million people are expected to pack Heathrow airport later this month to watch the final flight of the supersonic jet Concorde.
Special grandstands are to be built at the airport for enthusiasts to watch Captain Mike Bannister, the chief pilot, land Concorde for the last time on a commercial flight.
British Airways has sent out invitations to VIPs across the world to be on the New York to London flight on October 24.
The event is to be televised live in the UK.
BA plans to fly up to 2,000 travellers between October 18 and 24 in a bid to set a new record. BA said it has yet to finalise the passenger list for the last flight.
David Noyes, BA’s executive vice president in North America, said the jet would be a given a special send-off at New York’s JFK airport on BA001’s final morning flight.
BA is contemplating keeping one of its seven Concordes flying for air shows and flypasts.
The company may also fly Concorde to the US on December 17 to mark the 100th anniversary of the Wright brothers’ first manned and powered flight.
Concorde revolutionised aviation with its 1300 mph speeds and capacity to leap the Atlantic ocean in just over three hours.
High maintenance costs and cutbacks on business travel have been pinpointed as explanations for the decision by BA and Air France to end Concorde’s 34-year career.
Travellers pay a standard fare of £4,350 one-way between London and New York on Concorde and £8,292 for a return trip.
