2003day.year
Air France retires its fleet of Concorde aircraft.
Air France retired its fleet of Concorde supersonic jets on May 31, 2003, marking the end of an era in commercial aviation.
After 27 years of service, Air France conducted its final Concorde flight on May 31, 2003, retiring the world’s most famous supersonic airliner. The Concorde had pioneered passenger travel at twice the speed of sound since 1976, shrinking transatlantic journeys to under four hours. Factors such as rising maintenance costs, reduced demand, and a fatal crash in 2000 led to the decision to ground the fleet. Enthusiasts worldwide watched commemorative flights as the aircraft performed its iconic sonic booms one last time. Air France’s Concorde retirement symbolized both technological triumph and the challenges of sustaining cutting-edge aviation. Although commercial supersonic travel went on hiatus, the Concorde’s legacy continues to inspire modern aerospace designs.
2003
Air France
Concorde