Manchester marks 40th anniversary of Concorde

Ahead of the 40th anniversary of Concorde’s first commercial flight, Captain Mark Jealous, who flew the world’s most iconic passenger jet on its last flight from Manchester, was tasked with inspecting the Manchester-based British Airways Concorde. 

The aircraft, housed in the Runway Visitor Park at Manchester Airport, was the flagship of the Concorde fleet carrying the registration number BOAC (Alpha Charlie), the name of the company that merged with BEA to become British Airways. She was one of seven Concordes operated by British Airways,

Mark, who lives in Sandbach, Cheshire officially declared she remains in top shape thanks to the efforts of a specialist team at the Runway Visitor Park who have become her guardians. The aircraft is still owned by British Airways but the Manchester Airport team ensure she is cleaned and maintained regularly.

Over 120,000 visitors have been on board Concorde at Manchester since tours began seven years ago. She was the first Concorde to be licensed for weddings, there are an average four civil ceremonies a year on board and in the past 12 months there have been two marriage proposals as well.

Concorde’s first commercial British Airways flight took-off from Heathrow on January 21 1976, bound for Bahrain. From 1976 to 2003, the aircraft’s sleek fuselage and slender delta wing was the silhouette to spot as she climbed out toward or returned from her usual destinations of New York or Barbados. The seven British Airways Concordes are now displayed around the world, and it is estimated that more than one million people have visited them over the past 12 years.  

Mark Jealous was a first officer on Concorde and is now a captain on the airline’s most modern aircraft, the Airbus A380.

He said: “I remember January 21 1976 very well. I woke up that morning before I set off for school and listened to The Today programme where the main piece of news was about British Airways preparing for the first commercial service of Concorde. They had reporters at Heathrow and over the radio we got the feel and excitement of customers getting ready for their flight.

“At lunchtime I ran home from school to watch a replay on the news. The era of supersonic commercial aviation had arrived and I was both envious of those lucky people but also excited that one day I may get to be a passenger on Concorde to the edge of Space. I could not have imagined that 18 years later, not only would I be on a Concorde but I would actually be flying it to New York.

“It was therefore with sadness but also a lot of pride that I was chosen to be one of the pilots on the last commercial service in and out of Manchester on October 22 2003.

We departed from Heathrow, flew out over the Bay of Biscay at Mach 2 before flying back over London subsonic, passing over Sandbach in Cheshire, where I live, and landing at Manchester. There was a fantastic event to celebrate the day at the airport before we left Manchester for the last time to head back to Heathrow. That was the last time Concorde took off from Manchester.”

Rob Pattison, Runway Visitor Park manager said: “Concorde is the jewel in the Runway Visitor Park’s crown and delights guests young and old. Concorde Tours are incredibly popular and we are delighted to have this iconic aircraft here on site for our thousands of visitors to enjoy, along with our other exhibits and prime viewing spots of the UK’s third busiest airport.

“It is exciting to mark such an iconic anniversary for such a well-known aircraft and we look forward to celebrating many more in the future as new faces and old friends return to visit this aviation masterpiece.”

While the retirement of Concorde was a sad day for all aviation enthusiasts, the aircraft has left a lasting legacy. Not only can she still be visited, and admired, but the many advances that first allowed Concorde to fly have since found their way onto today’s aircraft. For example, composite materials akin to those found on Concorde are now used to improve efficiency of aircraft such as the modern Boeing 787 Dreamliner; and high-pressure hydraulics, designed for Concorde have been adapted for use in the world’s largest aircraft, the Airbus A380.