Concorde
#3
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I've flown the Concorde, the Man picking up the tab of course (too rich for my blood.)
Comfortable seats, but a cramped cabin... similar experience to being on a regional jet, but longer fuselage.
Start off with complimentary champagne and mimosa, then warm french bread and cheese with wine poured throughout the flight. Then, the meal, typical small airplane servings, but great food compared to the folks even in first class on the slower widebody. Then ice cream, then coffee and chocolate, then you are there.
Most memorable observations were the sound of breaking the sound barrier. You can hear the exhaust noise of the engines fade to nothing. Still noise from the friction/vibration of the airframe, but no constant roar on the eardrums. Really quiet, peaceful. Also, the color of the sky... a really deep, dark blue. The flight attendants were quick to inform me that this was due to the fact that Concorde flies at a much higher altitude than other commercial traffic, and that the only people in all humanity further from earth's surface were those on the int'l space station, and the space shuttle if one were in orbit. Kind of a cool thought at the time!
Comfortable seats, but a cramped cabin... similar experience to being on a regional jet, but longer fuselage.
Start off with complimentary champagne and mimosa, then warm french bread and cheese with wine poured throughout the flight. Then, the meal, typical small airplane servings, but great food compared to the folks even in first class on the slower widebody. Then ice cream, then coffee and chocolate, then you are there.
Most memorable observations were the sound of breaking the sound barrier. You can hear the exhaust noise of the engines fade to nothing. Still noise from the friction/vibration of the airframe, but no constant roar on the eardrums. Really quiet, peaceful. Also, the color of the sky... a really deep, dark blue. The flight attendants were quick to inform me that this was due to the fact that Concorde flies at a much higher altitude than other commercial traffic, and that the only people in all humanity further from earth's surface were those on the int'l space station, and the space shuttle if one were in orbit. Kind of a cool thought at the time!
#4
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If you can afford it, do it once in your life. Did JFK to London about 5 years ago, loved it. There is only 2 seats each side of the aisle, v.comfortable, good leg room. Champagne, caviar, wines etc. served on china. The big thrill is the speed and height. The plane apparently lengthens during flight due to the speed and height and the view is incredible. The pilot tells you all these facts about the speed and so on and the Mach counter is displayed at the front of the plane.At certain points you can see the the curvature of the earth. As I say, a once in a lifetime, if you can afford it.
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#8
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True story: my sister and BIL were on the Concorde, and after the meal he fell alseep for a while. When he woke up, no wife! He waited for a while, but when she didn't return he and the attendant searched - which didn't take long! The mystery was solved when my sister returned to her seat after 45 minutes - she had been in the cockpit, occupying the fourth seat. This was 20 plus years ago - you wouldn't see that these days. They were FF'ers on Concorde - travelling 3-4 RT a year for more than a decade. They called me one time to tell me they were in a quandry - whether to use BA and AF Concorde for one trip - this was when my partner and I were debating whether to do Wendys or the Arches - life is all about perspective, I suppose.
#10
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Bill,
Actually, First Class to Sydney from the East Coast was $10,000 each ticket when we booked.
We took advantage of a UAL FF special.
Two F/C Tckets for 180,000 miles...a tremenoudes value whe you consider that it costs 25,000 miles for a domestic ticket.
The trip is more than than 50% longer.
Took us 5 hours to LAX and then 14 more hours to Sydney.
Actually, First Class to Sydney from the East Coast was $10,000 each ticket when we booked.
We took advantage of a UAL FF special.
Two F/C Tckets for 180,000 miles...a tremenoudes value whe you consider that it costs 25,000 miles for a domestic ticket.
The trip is more than than 50% longer.
Took us 5 hours to LAX and then 14 more hours to Sydney.
#14
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Dick:
I was making a "nearest case scenario" comparison. We flew FC to Sydney for a little over $8000 during the fall, but I'm sure it's cheaper during Oz's winter.
LAX-SYD is a bit over 13 hours actual flight time.
When we fly to Europe it's direct, but from Atlanta it's 8.50 hours.
I was making a "nearest case scenario" comparison. We flew FC to Sydney for a little over $8000 during the fall, but I'm sure it's cheaper during Oz's winter.
LAX-SYD is a bit over 13 hours actual flight time.
When we fly to Europe it's direct, but from Atlanta it's 8.50 hours.
#15
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Conk Ord: Concorde flies two basic routes... LHR to JFK (BA) and CDG to JFK (AF, the one I took). I was surprised to see in an airline brochure that BA also has a seasonal Concorde route to Barbados. Go figure?
I know that AF used to have a CDG to Rio de Janeiro route, and BA used to have an LHR to Bahrain route but they've been long since cancelled.
I know that AF used to have a CDG to Rio de Janeiro route, and BA used to have an LHR to Bahrain route but they've been long since cancelled.
#16
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Just been on BA UK site.
Thought I'd cancel my 2 weeks in Orlando and go to New York instead!!
2 adult return flights departing 9/15, returning 2 weeks later.................
$23,550...............
Think I'll stay with the Orlando trip until my six numbers come up on the lottery!!
Brian
Thought I'd cancel my 2 weeks in Orlando and go to New York instead!!
2 adult return flights departing 9/15, returning 2 weeks later.................
$23,550...............
Think I'll stay with the Orlando trip until my six numbers come up on the lottery!!
Brian
#17
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Brad:
Barbados was a British colony in centuries past and still has very strong British presence in terms of lifestyles, customs, accents, etc
And Brits, as you may know, often get very frustrated with the lack of sunshine in the fall and winter.
As such, Barbados is an extremely popular destination for Brits. Especially among the wealthy.
That's how they support Concorde service.
Barbados was a British colony in centuries past and still has very strong British presence in terms of lifestyles, customs, accents, etc
And Brits, as you may know, often get very frustrated with the lack of sunshine in the fall and winter.
As such, Barbados is an extremely popular destination for Brits. Especially among the wealthy.
That's how they support Concorde service.
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DawnF
Australia & the Pacific
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May 30th, 2003 03:12 PM



