The Concorde aircraft was intended to reduce long haul flight times making trans-Atlantic air travel a more enjoyable and convenient experience. The aircraft was designed in a joint effort from both English and French engineers. Though they were successful in creating their masterpiece, the Concorde was not the commercial success that had been anticiapted. Prohibitive production costs meant that only 20 of the aircraft were ever made (6 of which were prototypes), and only 2 airlines, Air France and British Airways utilised them.
The cruising speed of the Concorde was about 1,340 miles per hour and it could fly at altitudes of up to 60,000 feet. The Concorde was capable of crossing the Atlantic in under 3 hours. The high ticket costs meant that the Concorde soon became the preferred method of trans-Atlantic travel for the world's elite. They were known for the loud noise and large clouds of smoke which they produced on take off as the sheer force of the vessel created a sonic boom.
However, on the 25th of July 2000, an Air France Concorde burst into flames and crashed shortly after take off. 113 people lost their lives in the accident. As a precaution, the entire fleet were immediately grounded. Though normal service later resumed, the Concorde never recovered from the damage to its reputation.
On the 21st of October 2003, the last Concorde flight landed in Belfast International Airport.
