Air France marks Concorde 1st flight legacy as British Airways stays quiet

The White Bird takes to the skies

On Wednesday 21 January 1976, at 12:40pm, the Air France Concorde, registration F-BVFA, made its first commercial flight to Rio de Janeiro, with a stop-over in Dakar. After a flight time of just 7 hours and 26 minutes, Air France inaugurated its supersonic era, which would continue for 27 years, until 2003. With a cruising altitude of around 18,000 m (60,000 feet) – twice as high as other long-haul aircraft – passengers were able to admire the Earth’s curved horizon through the windows.

With a seat capacity of 100, the Concorde reached a cruising speed of Mach 2.02, or 2,170 km/h (1,350mph). Its sleek, unique and instantly recognizable silhouette featured a wingspan of 84 feet, a length of 204 feet, and a height of 37 feet.

A genuine technological showcase and masterpiece of innovation, the Concorde is a legendary aircraft that embodies Air France’s aeronautical excellence. A symbol of Franco-British expertise, the aircraft remains today a major reference of Air France’s identity – a precious heritage and an endless source of inspiration shaping innovation and the contemporary customer experience.

Concorde aficionados or simply those curious of this mythical aircraft can plug into Air France YouTube channel since January 21 to discover an exclusive special documentary about the Air France Concorde. Featuring testimonials from airline employees who helped keep the “Oiseau Blanc” flying, as well as Benjamin Smith, CEO of Air France-KLM and President of Air France, this exceptional documentary offers nearly 40 minutes of immersion into the legendary aircraft.

Concorde, the pinnacle of aviation luxury

From its inaugural flight in 1976, the Concorde stood out for its excellence. The service reflected the ambitions of the supersonic, with champagne and fresh Périgord truffle pastries by Lenôtre a classic choice. On board, every detail counted in delivering a luxury travel experience. The narrow cabin was an ultra-modern reminder of the golden age of prestige aviation.

Air France initially worked with French industrial designer, Raymond Loewy, in charge of fitting out the first version of the supersonic jet, including the décor for the lounge at Paris-Charles de Gaulle with furniture designed by Le Corbusier, the cabin interior featuring seats in various colors, lighting, and pristine, sleek tableware, and meal tray.

In 1985, and subsequently in 1988, Pierre Gautier-Delaye created two difference styles of cabin interior, the first version featuring tulip red, blue and beige livery, and subsequently a décor of yellow and grey shades.

In 1994, Andrée Putman gave the Concorde interior a new, contemporary look, updating it for the modern era. The White Bird remained more than ever the emblem of luxury in the sky. Putman new interior was based on her idea of adding headrest covers and fitting a carpet with a black and white geometric pattern. She also redesigned the meal tray to resemble a small, delicately pleated, corrugated cardboard box. The result was an elegantly-designed white porcelain service, with a delicate blue border, comprising a range of tableware items from appetizer dish to coffee set.

Particular attention was paid to the uniforms worn on board the Concorde. In 1976, to celebrate this new era of supersonic travel, fashion designer Jean Patou and his artistic director Angelo Tarlazzi designed a uniform exclusively for stewardesses on board the Concorde. In 1985, to celebrate Concorde’s tenth anniversary, Nina Ricci designed a new uniform for the stewardesses.