NEW YORK- After undergoing a seven-month rehabilitation, a Concorde belonging to British Airways (BA), renowned for whisking affluent individuals to Europe in merely three hours.
Resumed its availability to the public on April 4th, subsequent to its reinstatement at Pier 86 within the Intrepid Air & Space Museum.
Concorde Reopens For General Public
Susan Marenoff-Zausner, the president of the Intrepid Museum, expressed anticipation for the forthcoming visitation, stating,
“I eagerly await our visitors to behold it.” She made these remarks subsequent to a ceremony on March 14, where an 80-ton supersonic transport, following a mechanical ballet, was positioned back onto Pier 86.
This location, where the record-breaking craft had captivated visitors for 21 years post-decommissioning, now hosts it again. “Concorde looks simply amazing,” she exclaimed.
In contrast to its former cruising altitude of 11 miles above the Earth, the Concorde’s journey back to Pier 86 on the Hudson River in mid-March after rehabilitation at the Brooklyn Navy Yard was entirely by sea.
Representatives from British Airways attended the March 14 event to celebrate the return of their airline’s former flagship to a permanent exhibit.
“As Concorde returns to its home at the Intrepid Museum, we’re grateful to the Museum for preserving the legacy of this historic aircraft symbolizing a spirit of innovation and elegance,” stated Simon Cheadle, British Airways’ director of flight operations.
The Concorde is again open for public viewing, having completed its 20-mile voyage from the Navy Yard to the Intrepid Museum at W. 46th St. and 12th Ave. on March 14.
British Airways Concorde
The British Airways Concorde, a product of joint French-British design and construction, stood as the swiftest commercial aircraft ever crafted, dominating the skies between Europe and the Western Hemisphere from the 1970s until the early 2000s.
Its exorbitant ticket prices lured a diverse array of frequent flyers—ranging from cultural icons like Andy Warhol and Mick Jagger to renowned figures like Paul McCartney and Vogue’s editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour—enticed by the sleek jet’s ability to ascend 11 miles above the earth while cruising at speeds of 1,300 mph.
During its operational years between JFK and London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR) from 1976 to 2003, the British Airways staff at Kennedy Airport affectionately dubbed the legendary aircraft “The Rocket.”
In comparison, a contemporary Boeing 787, traversing from New York to London, maintains a cruising speed of 564 mph and flies approximately 7 ½ miles above the planet’s surface.
The travel time of the Concorde from NY to London mirrored the 225-mile journey that the Amtrak Acela currently undertakes from NY to DC.
Of the 20 planes manufactured, 18 are presently preserved worldwide, with three exhibited in the United States. Alongside the one housed aboard the Intrepid, there is one in Virginia and another in Washington State.
Distinctive Features of the Concorde
The Concorde displayed at Manhattan’s Intrepid Museum holds a special distinction; it accumulated the highest number of flying hours among all 20 Concordes built, with 14 having served British Airways and Air France.
This particular aircraft achieved the fastest Atlantic crossing by any Concorde on February 7, 1996, departing from New York JFK and landing in London Heathrow a mere 2 hours, 52 minutes, and 59 seconds later—covering over 3,400 miles.
The 48-year-old Concorde, constructed in Bristol, UK, underwent a meticulous restoration process by the construction company Thomarios in collaboration with GMD Shipyard.
This endeavor involved stripping the top paint coating and preparing and reapplying the original colors and markings that defined the Concorde’s iconic status.
As a visitor to the Museum, you have the opportunity to explore both its exterior and interior. Commencing April 4th, guided tours of the historic aircraft have resumed, offered at an additional fee alongside Museum admission.
Among the attractions is the chance for visitors to enter the Concorde, one of three exhibited in the United States. Upon boarding, guests can occupy authentic Concorde seats, listen to its history narrated by a guide from the Intrepid Museum, and observe its intricate, predominantly analog-equipped flight deck.
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