Concorde 40th Anniversary

Like the Vulvcan we are losing (or have lost) the expertise to keep them flying, let alone a financial reason. They were getting on, old technology and needed to either brought up to modern standards, or taken out of service.

Unfortunately, the yanks building a giant plane to take lots of people cheaply was a very successful recipe, and the Jumbo is of course, still flying and is constantly being upgraded to modern standards. It pays its way. The Concord didn't. 

You can see a production Concorde at the Scottish museum of flight at Drem, East LOTHIAN, just up the road from yellowCraig CC  site! The plane's loo was certainly cramped you would have had to reverse in!

Startibarfast, sadly the Jumbo has also had its day!  Now pretty well out of production it has been surpassed by much more modern technology.  Its real achillies heel, is the fact that it has four engines!  Four engines are twice as expensive to keep in the air as two!  That is why ALL  new aircraft only have two big engines. ( Except of course the A380, but even that might have a limited future).

The most important feature today is cost per passenger mile. That means that the most effective aircraft today are the big wide bodied twin engined aircraft like the A350 and its Boeing equivalent.

its very sad to see the iconic Jumbo passing into History, many like Air Force 1 and a few Private A/C for Pop Groups and other mega rich will still be about for a few years to come but in the end their cost of operation will be their end.

TF  (MRAeS)

If doing long haul over water, ISTM that more than one engine per wing is a better safety option. Flying on one engine must be tricky.

CY you won't have much choice soon, but in truth the modern jet turbines are so very reliable compared to only a few years ago.  Believe me, the carriers would just not take the risk of such a loss. Imagine the effect on their sales, - let alone the effect on you!  But I do understand your concern, the DCOS is always grumbling that she wants 4 engines under her. She can get quite caustic if I ever dare agree that in her case it might be an idea!

TF

Went to Brooklands last year and spent the day on the concorde experience. best day out for years. lunch with concorde pilots then tour of aircraft, followed by time at the controls of the original flight simulator, flew concorde into hong kong kai tak airport then to new york. worth every penny would recomend to all fans.