Farewell To A Legend

Updated:10:43, Saturday October 25, 2003

The last official Concorde flight has taken place, ending 27 years of supersonic travel.

The iconic airliner with the distinctive roar holds a special place in the hearts of millions of Britons and has legions of fans around the world.

It's goodbye to Concorde

Here is a selection of your views:

My first aviation flight was on concorde at the age of 10 which was a birthday present from my grandmother. I was so happy to have flown on the great dove of the sky and now, at the age of 21, it is so sad to see her retire and will never fly on her again. The great plane will be remembered forever and is the greatest achievement in British and French aviation history.
Alex Koval, Leicester

What a great shame that such a feat of engineering and design flair is being allowed to disappear from the skies. It is yet another example of political posturing triumphing over the wishes of the people who paid for it. Concorde, you will be affectionately remembered and sorely missed.
Martin Palmer, Slough, Berkshire

What has happened to Britain ? What have we got to be proud of ?. America or any other country would do anything to save such a wonderful, unique piece of engineering as living history. It's when Concorde is in the air we appreciate it, not in a museum without movement or sound. What can we do to help keep if not all, at least one Concorde flying?
Liz Delahunty, Warrington, Cheshire

Concorde is an amazing part of aviation and a pity to be that economically insignificant to let it go. It has been wonderful to see it.
Pirro Plumbi, Albania

So it is goodbye to Concorde today but it is also goodbye to a group of people called flight engineers, who, along with the two pilots, form the flight deck crew of Concorde. For the last 60 years, BOAC and British Airways' long haul aircraft have had flight engineers - but Concorde is the last aircraft to have them, as now they have been replaced by computers on modern aircraft. So, a sad day for the flight engineers who now will be made redundant.
Pete Phillips, Hartley Wintney

I would like to thank Captain Mike Bannister and crew for the memorable flight that myself and two daughters, Annette and Sarah, along with my two grandsons, Richard and Nicholas, had in December of 1995 and for allowing us to go into the flight deck. It was the experience of a lifetime and one that we will never forget. We are all sorry to see her leave the skies.
Eleanor Johns and family

Concorde is the most iconic of British brands, it is unlikely that another brand will ever reach its heights.
Will Hamilton

Yeah, right! So they are grounding Concorde - so what? Why all the fuss about a plane which was so old, anyway, and was just not economical. Nostalgia and nonsense! Most "average" folks could never afford to fly on the silly aircraft. Too much pomp!
Brad Makhecha, London

I think that the Americans will develop their own Concorde now we are retiring our fleet. They have always been envious of our achievements in aviation and they now have the technology to do so. They have a prototype in a mussem witch I think never flew, with new engine technology witch allows you to achieve mach speeds without reheat.
Mark Sweeney, Cleethorpes, Lincs

I am writing to say how sad I am that the Concorde era is coming to an end. I flew on Concorde with my two sons from Saudi Arabia. It was a fantastic journey and now I am so glad to have had the opportunity to have flown on that amazing aircraft. It was one of my sons' birthday and was a fantastic present for him. I now live in Bucklebury, Berkshire, and watch Concorde go over my house every night. I still run outside when I hear it and am still amazed at the wonderful sight it is. I wish the government would let Richard Banson take it over as it still has many years left.
Moira Little, Bucklebury, Berkshire 

Take Concorde away from BA and you are left with just another airline. Today is a sad day. Concorde will be missed by everyone who had ever flown in her or seen her fly.
Martin Holloway, Elstree

I'm very lucky to have been on Concorde and experienced the true grace, class and service that makes it so unique. Having lived on the Heathrow flight path for the majority of my life, whenever I go home I still have to run outside and see it when it flies over. Concorde was part of my childhood and a small piece of that is being taken away. The skies will be a quieter and more boring place without it.
Sara, Maidenhead, Berkshire

Although I believe that Concorde is a wonderful sight and something thing for the country to be proud of, it is time to ground all Concordes for good. Firstly, the plane was a massive expense to the taxpayer and only used by the rich and wealthy. Secondly, it is very un-economical and therefore extremely un-environmentally friendly. The time has come.
John Beresford

This aircraft makes more noise pollution and burns more fuel than any other passenger aircrafts. I think it's good that it stays grounded. The technology on board is too old. There is no computer management system on board to land this aircraft in bad weather. Hopefully our ozone layer will last a bit longer now!
Arshad Dossa, Johannesburg, South Africa

The retirement of Concorde is sad and means I cannot now fulfil one of my "to do experiences" before I die.
Joyce Christie, Perth, Scotland

I am deeply suspicious of the refusal by British Airways to countenance a sale of the Concorde fleet to Richard Branson. If any company was discontinuing a product and another company offered to buy the assets that were regarded as past their sell-by date, surely it makes commercial sense to sell them on. The refusal by BA to sell the fleet to Concorde is because they are afraid that he will make a success of them where they have failed.
Gavin Skilton, London

As a child I grew up in London and the most amazing site ever was to see and hear Concorde fly by. Two years ago I saw Concorde land at JFK and I suprised myself because tears filled my eyes. Wish I could be there on Friday to say farewell.
George Peto, Budapest, Hungary

The retirement of Concorde has left British Airways and Air France joining the rest of the international carriers - in the land of mediocrity! Concorde was a jewel in their crown that made other airlines squirm with envy and rather than see her fly for a further 10 years, they'd prefer to condem her to the history books!
Vivienne

The world's only passenger supersonic plane is to be retired without a replacement on the drawing board. Why? If BA don't want to or can't afford to keep it flying, let someone else who is prepared to do so. Some of my parents' tax contributions went into developing this plane, why can't we have a say if it serves us until it is ready to retire?
Simon Moseley, Cambridge 

The skies will be empty without its presence and I feel a small part of me will be lost once it is grounded. Let's hope that at least one will be kept in flying condition for shows and fly pasts.
Dave Stamp, Reading

My parents are at this very moment standing in a field at Cardiff Airport to watch Concorde land and take off. Mad you may think, but this is what this plane does to people's imagination and what pride this nation (and France) used to have in its ability to produce something wonderful.
Karen Collins, Amersham, Buckinghamshire

If BA can't commercially operate this magnificient aircraft, why not sell it to Mr Branson or operate it as an exotic charter. We want to fly the Concorde, not see it in a museum.
Sam Kamau, Johannesburg, South Africa

The enforced early retirement of Concorde is a disgrace. There is no possible reason to remove Concorde from flying, and certainly none to exclude the sale of Concorde to Virgin, seeing as the aircraft was given to BA for a nominal £1. For years, the aircraft was incredibly profitable - and can still be. Concorde is still serviceable, it can still be used daily for at least another six years, yet Air France and British Airways have colluded to kill it off, even though they admit they have nothing to replace it, except maybe a dedicated First Class sleeper flight which offers none of the distinction that Concorde does. Rod Eddington should hang his head in shame.
Jethro Patton, London

I think that it's an absolute disgrace that the Government has not backed BA to keep Concorde flying. The plane is a piece of avionic history and a benchmark of British technology and achievement and yet they are prepared to let it slip away.
Rob Stokes, Newbury, Berkshire

It is indeed a sad end to a unique aeroplane - yet it is also sad to think that it did not have to be the end like this. It is only due to BA's fear of Virgin Atlantic's success that BA would not sell the Concorde fleet to Richard Branson, as they knew he would make them profitable and keep the British pride flying. As for my memories, the skies will be a quieter place now, no more sonic booms off the Cornish coast, which I remember from my childhood holidays there and nothing will replace the feeling you get when Concorde takes off with the roar of the engines and the vibrations you get inside you. It will be sad to see them go.
Paul Durrant, York

I have my scanner tuned in waiting to hear her on approach to Manchester. My big regret is that I never had the opportunity to fly in her. Concorde, you will be missed. You are simply the best.
Tony Lambert 

It's the only airliner in existence that looks as though it should be able to fly - and wow, can it fly! A magnificent achievement that will always be ahead of its time.
Tim Jarrett, Faversham, Kent

I remember in 1987 asking my then-boyfriend to park up on a road that circles Heathrow Airport for me to watch Concorde take off. It was night time and I was rooted to the spot when I saw a bluish haze coming out of the engines and I still remember the noise it made when it took off. Spectacular. I think it's a shame they've been retired - I would have liked to have flown to New York on one, one day.
Helene McCarthy, Manchester

Farewell, Concorde... but why aren't British Airways selling to Branson? Are they afraid that Mr B will make the machine profitable?
Steven Pritchard

Why, if there is still so much passion and support for Concorde, are British Airways so stubbornly refusing to allow Richard Branson to take it over? It cannot be a purely commercial reason, as Branson's preparedness to take such risks is his decision. Call me old Mr Sceptical but might they just be concerned that he could turn a profit where they have failed?
Chris Marchmont, Taunton

Why doesn't BA give the planes to Virgin? After all, did they pay for them? Time for the Government to get involved, as they thought of the idea and us, the taxpayers, should have a choice of where they go.
Karl Chapman

Surely if the British Taxpayer gave Concorde to British Airways it is the right of the British taxpayer to have a say in its future.
Simon Miles, Harrow

It's a real shame. Concorde has been around forever and you can almost set you watch by her as she roars overhead at around 11am and 7pm. If British Airways don't want to keep her running because of the cost, let Mr Branson and Virgin have the chance to keep this British icon in the skies. For once, we British (and the French) built something that we can be proud of and that the Americans couldn't make better, bigger or faster. The skies will sound strangely quiet without her.
Mike Bristow

I have been lucky enough to fly on Concorde twice to New York and Barbados. It is truly is a magnificent plane, with its luxurious insides and beautiful wings and nose. The things that I liked most are that when the plane reaches Mach 2, there is no engine noise, as the plane is travelling faster than the speed of sound. The other great thing is that passengers can see the curvature of the Earth as Concorde flies at 55,000 feet. I will miss Concorde but consider myself lucky to have experienced its grace and beauty.
Iain Scotland, West Sussex

Concorde roars over my office every day - the whole place shakes and I love it. I also flew on her when I was 12. It was a fantastic experience and my mum got a little bit tipsy on the Champagne.
Graham North, Hounslow, west London

I live in London and I usually walk home from work each day. Most days, I see Concorde passing overhead on its way to Heathrow and it brings a real lump to the throat to see it flying overhead. You sometimes stop to watch it and see how many other people are also looking up into the sky. One night, on my way home I saw Concorde and noticed someone at the bus stop was also looking up. We exchanged glances and both smiled at the same time - the same feeling of pride. I will miss that feeling.
Richard Alexander Anderson

Most people can't afford to fly Concorde and never will - but it still generates such interest whenever it is mentioned. I think it is a shame that BA couldn't have marketed it better and continued to run the service. This last week has shown that people really love Concorde and will be really sad to see it retired. A step back, not forward, in aviation technology.
Andrew Jones, Birmingham

My brother, Nicholas, and I flew to New York on Concorde in May to celebrate his 40th birthday. The whole Concorde experience makes you feel proud to be British (which isn't often nowadays!). Sitting next to Sting for the flight, as well, was an unexpected bonus. I hope that BA have a change of heart and keep the Concorde in the skies (commercially).
Paul Storrer

I didn't have the opportunity to fly supersonic but my parents did in the '80s and they have kept on to all the trinkets they received on the flight, including the flight pack with headed paper and envelopes. It definitely will be something they won't forget and they are proud to have been faster than sound.
Simon McGuire, Limerick, Ireland

A technological marvel and a legacy that should be kept alive. At least one example of this feat of engineering should be kept in service for air shows.
Paul Deach

I never got the opportunity to fly on it but would have loved to. It's an ageing aircraft and should be replaced with new, improved versions. However, I fear the British ability to lead the world in design and manufacturing is also an aged craft.
Eddie Wilkinson, Italy

I think it's a terrible shame. I have been looking forward to flying on Concorde for years. Now I'll never get the chance.
Michael Clare, Dublin, Ireland

While Concorde was as amazing feat of engineering in its time, after living under the flight path for 20 years, I have to say I won't miss it!
John McKehon, Wokingham

This airliner should not be taken out of service, as she has at least another 10 years' flying time left in her. The airliner has just had a multi-million-pound refit done to her at the taxpayers' expense. Surely the public get a right to say if the aircraft can still fly? It will be a sad day to see the aircraft grounded and mothballed. Goodbye to another era. From a passenger that has had the 'Concorde Experience'. Truly unforgettable.
Graeme Miller

Despite the fact that Concorde was a remarkable technical achievement that fired the imagination of the British people, the fact remains that much of the design work and development was carried out in the late 1950s and the aircraft was simply obsolete. The fact that, in order to keep some in the air, parts were having to be cannibalised from those aircraft that, for one reason or another, had been grounded, should have been cause for concern in itself. But in true British tradition, the aviation industry patted itself on the back and proceeded to do absolutely nothing to replace it or to manufacture parts for the existing, serviceable aircraft. This is the British way of doing things. We seem to have this innate ability to bask in past glory and, understandably, this is also the reason why we are no longer a significant manufacturing nation, despite claims to the contrary. If it had been mooted as recently as 20 years ago that a German company would eventually own Rolls Royce, people would have been rolling in the aisles! The unwillingness of major companies to invest in new technology or even to encourage new technical developments is verging on the lunatic. Concorde was a stunning part of aviation, as was the Spitfire and, before it, the Tiger Moth. Let us now get on and design something superior and not be held back by accountants who shake their heads in dismay every time someone in this country seeks to prove that we still have the ability to produce worthwhile products. When I wanted to emigrate to the Antipodes in the '60s, my father told me that I would be leaving the greatest country on earth. I wish that I had ignored his advice!
Geoff

What a dark day for our country when Concorde is finally grounded. I live in Gloucestershire and I was born the year Concorde made its maiden passenger voyage - 1969. I have grown up in awe of it every time I see it. What a fantastic sight, whether at close range or high above. The shape and sound is unmistakable. I have not had the opportunity to travel on Concorde but my father has, as a present for his 60th birthday. It's something he will never forget. Why, then, is this fantastic piece of engineering being decommissioned? If prices were a little lower, then surely more people would travel on it on a regular basis. What a huge step backwards for our country this is.
Nigel Cansdale, Gloucestershire

No longer will I hear my son shout, "Quick, it's Concorde!" as we both run out into the back garden at 7pm each evening to watch the most beautiful, majestic sight of Concorde gliding across the sky on its way to New York. I work as a contractor whose customer is solely BA and although I have never (and will never) been able to fly on her, I have had the privilege of seeing this great, unique aeroplane close up while working at Heathrow sometimes. Friday will be a sad day for BA staff and for many more people around the world. It is a great loss to the world of aviation.
Stephanie Rolfe, Yately, Hants

Why on earth is the Government allowing Concorde to retire when there is a British company (Virgin) which is more than willing to take over? I believe that if you ask the general public then you will hear the same answer - that they wish for Concorde to remain flying. Having Concorde fly the British Flag should be something that the Government should be proud of and, therefore, should back any company that is willing to take it on. I believe that Mr Branson will be able to make it profitable once again and this is why British Airways will not sell him Concorde. BA should remember who actually paid for Concorde.
Martin Cavey, St Helier, Jersey

I don't know the 'ins and outs' of the battle between Richard Branson and British Airways but I, for one, am disgusted that Branson was not permitted to take over the running of the British Concorde fleet. As Mr Branson has proven over the years, he is capable of making a success of most of his ventures and with him we could have continued to be proud of a great British/French technological marvel. I, for one, will miss the beautiful, sleek outline of the world's most prestigious aircraft as it takes off each morning. Another great British institution bites the dust, how many other things these days make us proud to be British?
Peter David

I took my son to see this magnificent aircraft land at Birmingham on Monday and it was fantastic! Virgin, Ryanair, Easyjet and others should get together to keep at least one Concorde airworthy for as long as is possible. I am sure there is still a huge demand for flights. This would ensure Concorde's survival and would be great publicity for the airlines concerned. I look forward one day to the chance of flying on Concorde. I don't want to see that chance disappear. In the meantime, I would like to see the head of BA.....on a plate!
Tim Grogan, Redditch, Worcestershire

I have never flown on the great bird. I have been to many air shows and have some fantastic video of her that I took. What other commercial airliner allows you to sit in your chair, put the video on, crank up the volume, and let the house vibrate with the sound of Concorde taking off? She is unique. Farewell, Concorde, the skies will miss you.
Russell Powell, Baltimore MD, USA

I've lived under the flightpath of Heathrow Airport all my life and don't find myself particularly perturbed by the planes constantly flying overhead! However, you cannot miss the thundering roar of Concorde on takeoff or landing and the whole house shakes as this incredible feat of engineering soars over you and lets you know that nothing could come close! It's always amusing to hear the crescendo of car alarms going off after the deafening sound of the engines has faded away and I'll miss it. It's a shame that BA wont sell these magnificent flying machines - a British institution - to Virgin, as I've always wanted to fly on Concorde. But who knows - maybe it wont be the last we see of what is unmistakably one of the icons of the century.
Rajesh Sidhu, London