My travel agent has booked Concorde tickets for us. I have until tomorrow to cancel without penalities. I would like to know from the fodorites who have travelled on the Concorde what their thoughts are. Is the Concorde worth the money? Besides speed how is it different from a regular flight? Thanks

This may sound silly and maybe someone else can verify, but I thought I heard from someone who went that due to the speed and the altitude that it is hotter in the plane than a normal airplane..? I know they should have great A/C, but for some reason this stuck in my head.....not a bad thing, I just thought it sounded odd.

We have just returned from a trip on Concorde to New York. IMHO it is worth every single penny! It is the most fantastic aircraft and the service and food were excellent. The fare is not cheap but as it will be taken out of service at the end of October, to travel on Concorde is a once in a lifetime experience!

The aircraft cabin is small and not built for tall people! The captain did a commentary all through the flight and provided us with many statistics on the aircraft itself. The food was excellent, as much champagne as you wanted (or orange juice!) It wasn't any warmer on board than an ordinary aircraft.

If I had tickets for another trip on Concorde I wouldn't hesitate. IMHO you must experience it!

If you do decide to go on the trip, please post a report and let us know what you thought?

AP

Was the food and the service better than first class?

What about that Concorde flight a couple days ago that lost the engine, everything went flying, the plane had to land in Wales and the people had to take a bus to London? I had clients who were on Concorde once and it lost two engines -- which scared the hell out of them because they thought it only had two. But they had to make an emergency landing and wait hours for a replacement airplane. They took Concorde a few times because it was fast, but they always said there was no comparison otherwise between it and a first class seat on almost any other airline -- which is roomier and more comfortable. The main reason for Concorde was always time -- not class or comfort. For that kind of money, I'd spend the extra time and go first class on a "real" plane, but that's just me.

Concorde is unique and exciting to fly on. However, if you normally fly economy or club then the vast increase in price is not really worth it. If you normally fly first then I would say the extra money won't make much difference.

The experience is thrilling, however, surely it is preferable to spend your money on a top hotel for the duration of your holiday - which will last upwards of three nights rather than a plane journey taking a few hours?

This is a difficult one. It really boils down to how much you want to go on Concorde. Whatever you do, don't fly it for the meal - it is nice an all, but lets face it the cost of the flight will buy you many, many meals in top class restaurants. If you want a luxury experience, First Class wins hands down.

We flew out to New York on BA1, two weeks ago today and I will always treasure the memory of this experience. To fly that high and that fast was very exciting and the view of the curvature of the Earth from the window was even better than I imagined. However by the end of the flight I was kind of glad we were flying back in First. Wednesday is correct it does get pretty hot up there - the windows are warm to the touch and the seats are a very similar size to BA's Premium Economy product.

While I understand the size issues and noise and price, I find that First Class is fine on regular airplanes, it helps deal with the length of the flight also.
But to make a flight from NYC to London or Paris in 3 hours, would be worth it to me to not sit in First Class...it is sort of First Class to me to get there that fast!
There was an interesting article in the NYTimes by a journalist who took it this past summer. He remarked on the noise levels and the way the nose moved, that sort of thing. I would love to fly it just once before it is no more~

Yes and Concorde gets so hot that she even stretches in length during flight !!
IMHO Concorde is the most fantastic looking plane ever created, It is a tad noisy and I wish I had the cash to take a trip, but I was able to go on the first prototype at Fleet Air arm in Yeovil.(Not fly you understand its in a Hanger )
Its packed full of equipment to measure every aspect of the flight during its development. What an engineering feat it is.
But all good things come to an end.
Remember the russian version Concordski ??

Muck

If I had the money, I'd go in a flash, just for the experience.

What a thing to be able to tell your grandchildren!!

I agree w/ Sheila. But - and please understand I am REALLY not trying to be rude and on-line it is hard to understand nuances . . . . .

BUT - If you have to ask this question it is probably not worth the cost. Many people would kill (me included) to be able to fly Concorde. For many it has been a once in a lifetime opportunity.

But if you are not an airplane fanatic, if flying is just a mode of transport to you - then you will likely ask "what was the big deal". It is an experience and the service is fabulous - but the cabin is cramped.

I have a few friends who have flown Concorde - one has flown it three times in the last couple of months simply because it is leaving service. But these guys know every little detail about every plane they ever fly and collect airline memoribilia.

If you have not dreamed about flying Concorde, leave your seat for someone else. It is a real shame that so many of us will never have the chance to fly her . . . . .

I don't understand how you only have until tomorrow to cancel without penalties. I thought Concorde fares were fully refundable, given the price. I guess if your return flight is booked in nr coach, that would make a $$$ fare completely nonrefundable or your flight from Florida to JFK is nr. Please enlighten me about the penalties. I agree with Janis about leaving the seat for someone who would truly appreciate the experience of flying a supersonic aircraft. If the Concorde doesn't immediately excite you then you're better off flying 1st class on a regular plane.

BA has recently made even full fare Concorde tickets non-changeable/refundable within 7 days of travel.

As far as I am aware, Concorde is being taken out of service very soon; if you want to fly on it, this will be your last chance! I flew on it twice, to Barbados, and absolutely loved it. Fantastic service on board, and of course very very fast. The seats are not as spacious as on a normal business class, but who cares when you fly to Barbados in 4 1/2 hours from London? And the speed at take-off is quite something. Do it if you can afford it!

Some research is fun to do and I wish I were really booking this flight:
In October, Concord will fly farewell flights Round Trip to Boston and DC.
The price will be $7,999.
There are only 100 seats on the plane, get em while you can!
They are Non-refundable.
*Richard Branson wanted to buy some Concords to add to Virgin Air but they said that The Concord is Not For Sale, they will retire them

At GBP8K for a return from London to NYC, I think you might get more than a few nights at a decent hotel M_kingdon.

It must be crap being you as you can't go anywhere without there being a decent hotel or gastro bar nearby. It must mean that you can't go to most places on this planet - just some of the larger, well known cities that everyone has visitied.

Not at all, I have been all over the world stayed in various types of places, from remote game reserves, to bustling capitals.

Thank you for reinforcing my point you certainly can get more than a few nights for the price of concorde. People should not really live above their means - if you have that amount to waste of a few hours, you're stupid - think how many more luxury holidays that will pay for.

So what you have the savings, why waste them? When I have travelled on Concorde the bill was picked up by companies so no money wasted. It really isn't that special - it's fast which enables one to travel to NY for a meeting at lunchtime and be back in the evening.

If you are coming to London you could have a large suite at the Lanesborough or a Penthouse at Claridges for over a week.

DH and I would list "Flying on the Concorde" as one of those experiences we'd like to have before dying. (He's an airplane nut, and I just think it's cool!)

Our budget will never allow it tho. We envy you the choice. I'd go for it without hesitation.

I just love it when other people worry about how much money I spend.
Since most of us can stay in hotels whenever we wish, go to most countries for a visit, do pretty much whatever we want, flying the Concorde is one of those experiences that not all of us have gotten to do/or will ever get to do.
Sure some folks are lucky to have their business pay for their airfare, but most of us just get to Wish they could fly on the Concorde.
I also wish other airlines would learn something from the Concorde and learn to get us there quicker!

Just my two-pennorth - no it wasn't worth the price us taxpayers paid for it: and we never got our money back.