British Aerospace
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Aerospatiale Concorde

British Aerospace, also, Aerospatiale Concorde. . , Concorde was the benchmark of luxury airline service. Specially designed waiting areas and lavish VIP lounges enhanced the experience even before passengers boarded the aircraft. Once in flight, passengers were treated to gourmet food, wine and champagne., Many people in the United States protested Concorde's use. Environmentalists feared that the jet exhaust contributed to ozone-depleting chemicals. Because the fleet was so small, just 14 aircraft in total, the possibility of ozone damage was considered negligible, but some still argue this point today., The high-performance turbojet engines were louder than traditional aircraft of the day. To reduce the noise for those living near airports, pilots throttled down the engines after takeoff, quieting them until Concorde cleared the neighborhoods surrounding the airport. Concorde was also restricted from flying at supersonic speeds unless it was over the open ocean. An aircraft flying at supersonic speeds produces a shockwave, which causes a sonic boom when the wave encounters the ground., The only fatal accident involving Concorde happened upon takeoff in July 2000. Debris on the runway cause one of Concorde's main landing gear tires to explode. The burst tire led to the puncture of a wing fuel tank, and the result was catastrophic. The fleet was grounded until November 2001., The end of Concorde service in 2003 was a sad event for those who enjoyed the speed and luxury it offered. Though the reasons are debated among aviation enthusiasts, its retirement is generally attributed to the high cost of operation, decreased demand and aging of the fleet., [Captions:] , Passengers enjoyed the finest in personal service during their high-speed journey., Concorde was part of the Jubilee flypast on June 4, 2002, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.