First published by British Airways Tuesday 20 April 1976.
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Supersonic Washington
BRITISH AIRWAYS’ supersonic Concordes are to begin flying regular services on the “Blue Riband” North Atlantic route between London and Washington from May 24 — so notching up, with Air France, another important “first” in the history of air travel.
So fast will the east-west flight be, that the 1,350 mph. airliner will arrive in the United States, local time, 70 minutes earlier than the time they left Britain.
Concorde will streak between London and Washington in a flight time of three hours and 50 minutes, clipping a remarkable four hours and 15 minutes from the time taken by subsonic jets.
From Washington to London the Concorde flight time is again three hours and 50 minutes, while subsonic airliners usually take six hours 45 minutes.
Business Tool
The inaugural British Airways flight on May 24 leaves Heathrow Airport, London, at 12:45. The first commercial services following from May 29 will leave at 13:00, landing in Washington at 11:50 local time.
The regular Saturday departure, returning from Washington on Sundays, will be joined from June 17 by a Thursday departure, returning Fridays, and in the Autumn a Tuesday departure, returning on Wednesdays, is planned. One-way fares will be £352.
Opinion inside the world airline industry indicates considerable interest in the Atlantic Concordes. Companies on both sides of the Atlantic are appreciating the full significance of the new business tool which they are being handed.
Concorde’s departure from London is being timed to connect with incoming flights from the provinces. Passengers will be landed at Dulles airport, Washington, fresh and ready for onward flights to other parts of America.
A special limousine service is planned for passengers who wish to transfer to Washington National Airport to pick up other connecting services.
One further advantage of the Atlantic Concordes will be that in addition to their tremendous speed, they will fly high – up to 60,000 feet — which means less turbulence in flight, with a less tiring effect on passengers.
Middle East to USA
Every Thursday from June 17, British Airways will also be offering the world’s only through service by Concorde from the Middle East to the United States. The supersonic flight from Bahrain, arriving at Heathrow at 11:55, will connect with the 13:00 flight to Washington.
In addition, by connecting with subsonic services from Washington, Concorde will enable British Airways to offer the fastest service of all from London to Dallas, New Orleans and Kansas City.
British Airways with Air France, started world’s first commercial supersonic services on January 21. Flying twice weekly to Bahrain, British Airways has built up a wealth of solid operating experience with the Concorde. Now this will be applied to the North Atlantic run.
Menus will delight the gourmets
FOOD served on the Atlantic Concordes will match the exceptionally high standards set by British Airways during the past three months of supersonic services to the Gulf.
Menus will be drawn from a long list of tempting gourmet dishes.
The first includes foie gras, fresh salmon, smoked salmon, caviar, prawns and lobsters; sirloin steak, fillet steak, scampi, pheasant, lamb and duck — all served with fresh asparagus, or salad palm hearts specially flown from the Seychelles.
There will be desserts like fresh strawberries, oranges in Grand Marnier, fresh pineapple in almonds, fresh sliced peaches in kirsch and cheeses like Stilton, Blue Cheshire, Camembert and Bel Paese.
The wine list will include Dom Perignon Champagne ’69, Château Brown Cantenac ’70 claret, and a Laroche ’73 chablis, with Napoléon brandy.
“Jet lag” is reduced, say the businessmen
BUSINESSMEN interviewed as they disembarked at Heathrow Airport recently after a British Airways Concorde flight from Bahrain had one thing in common — they felt alert without any suggestion of “jet lag.”
One said: “We are three-and-a-half hours better off than a subsonic aircraft leaving at the same time. This thing that would make a tremendous amount of difference is service to the States, which is the most boring journey you can imagine.”
Another commented: “I feel fantastic. No jet lag. It is that much quicker.” And another said: “The food was fantastic. I feel fine — no problems.”
Ready to go
One passenger found the experience of flying Concorde was very little different from an ordinary flight, except that the time passed much more quickly. He said: “If I had gone subsonic I would have been quite tired by the time I got here. In fact, I am alert, alive and ready to go.”
A Swedish businessman commented: “The service was just great. I feel quite rested.” Yet another passenger seemed to sum up the feeling of almost all those who had been on the flight — a normal, fare-paying service — when he said: “It has been the most magnificent experience. It is a marvellous aeroplane. It was very helpful to travel by it so quickly, because I shall be working this afternoon. I feel very fresh.”
“It was very comfortable, very spacious, and the cabin service was good. I certainly think I was aware of the speed. Would I like to fly Concorde again? Very much!”
High standard set for punctuality
ON-TIME performance is proving to be the name of the game on British Airways Concorde flights between London and Bahrain.
It is an attribute which the airline is determined to repeat in its new supersonic services to Washington.
Average service reliability has been high — even for Concorde in the introduction of any new type, and particularly so when the advanced, sophisticated nature of Concorde is considered.
A British Airways spokesman said: “Out of the first 34 flights there have been only three minor delays of over ten minutes. All of these were in the first four weeks. In the following six weeks, all arrivals and departures were punctual.”
And the fact that air travellers are coming to depend on very tight schedules across the Atlantic can be seen in the way that the British Airways passenger numbers on Concorde are moving up — and now exceed the original forecast — on the London-Bahrain service.
Ground speed, too
BRITISH AIRWAYS is doing everything possible to ensure that speed on the ground matches Concorde’s speed in the air.
Concorde passengers have their own check-in area at Heathrow. After checking-in — just 45 minutes before their flight — they proceed up a newly-installed escalator to a special lounge, with every aid to last-minute business. When their flight is called, they have only to take a few steps to their seats on board on Concorde.
