The Historic Journey of Concorde, the World’s Fastest Commercial Aircraft, Along New York’s Hudson River
The iconic British Airways Concorde, one of only 20 supersonic aircraft ever built, embarked on a rare journey as it floated down the Hudson River towards New York City’s Intrepid Museum. This delta-wing jet, which holds the world speed record for a passenger aircraft, was being transported back to its permanent home after undergoing several months of restoration.
The Concorde’s Voyage Along the Hudson River
This legendary aircraft, which has been gracing the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum since 2003, made its way down the river aboard a barge. With an overnight stop in Jersey City, New Jersey, the Concorde was scheduled to be unloaded by crane early on Thursday at Pier 86. The museum planned to stream this historic event live on its social media platforms for aviation enthusiasts around the world.
The Record-Breaking Concorde: A Brief History
Intrepid’s Concorde holds the distinction of being the world’s fastest commercial aircraft, having reached a top speed of 1,354 miles per hour – more than twice the speed of sound. In 1996, this remarkable aircraft flew from New York to London in just 2 hours, 52 minutes and 59 seconds. The Concorde, call sign G-BOAD, took its maiden flight in 1976 and at one point operated a joint service between British Airways and Singapore Airlines. The Concorde’s distinctive dual-brand liveries were a unique sight in the aviation world, as reported by HeritageConcorde.com.
A Bittersweet Farewell: The Last Flights of Concorde
The fleet of Concordes began to be phased out following an unfortunate incident in August 2000. A Concorde, while taking off from Paris, suffered a tire burst, which led to the aircraft’s undercarriage collapsing and ultimately crashing. Regrettably, all 109 people on board lost their lives in this tragic event. The last ever flight by a Concorde took place on November 26, 2003. Known as Delta Foxtrot, this aircraft now resides in Aerospace Bristol, an aviation museum in the west of England.
The Concorde’s Return to New York: Tours and Excitement
Intrepid Museum visitors can once again marvel at the Concorde, as tours of the aircraft are set to resume on April 4. This iconic piece of aviation history continues to captivate and inspire generations, making its journey along New York’s Hudson River a testament to the enduring legacy of human innovation.
