Supersonic sightings: How you can still visit a Concorde in 2025

October 18, 2025

Concorde – even just reading the name of the supersonic airliner conjures up images of the sleek white aircraft streaking into the sky, with its formidable sound and engines glowing red hot.
Sadly, the days of seeing a Concorde in its full flying glory are long gone. The iconic airliners last flew at the end of 2003 as they headed off to their retirement in various locations around the world. However, all is not lost. Out of the 20 Concordes that were built,18 can still be seen, with 12 even being open for public viewing
Aerospace Global News takes a look at where you might still find a Concorde in 2025, and how you can experience what it must have been like to sit in what was once the fastest airline seat in the sky.
Concorde – a brief history
November 1956 saw the establishment of the Supersonic Transport Aircraft Committee (STAC) in the UK “to study the possibility of building a supersonic airliner.”
The STAC was a collaborative effort between major stakeholders from both the British government at the time and the country’s leading aircraft and engine manufacturers, as well as individuals from the Farnborough-based Royal Aircraft Establishment.
In March 1959, the STAC put forward a design concept to meet the challenge of designing a supersonic passenger airliner. The ultimate goal was to design an aircraft capable of crossing the North Atlantic Ocean at twice the speed of sound.
At the same time, both the US and France had also started developing a supersonic commercial airliner that could fly passengers on routes around the world at faster than the speed of sound.

French manufacturer Sud Aviation was one such aerospace company, which had been looking at developing a supersonic aircraft to replace its SE 210 Caravelle passenger jet.
The paths of the British and French endeavours for supersonic travel would come together in the early 1960s, with the Concorde-SST website stating that preliminary discussions between the British Aircraft Corporation (BAC) and Sud Aviation took place in 1961 with a view to collaboration on a cost-sharing basis.
In September 1962, Charles de Gaulle, who was the French President at the time, encouraged the UK and France to pool their expertise and resources to design and build a supersonic airliner. The rationale behind this was that neither country had the finances available to develop such an aircraft on its own.

Then, in November 1962, a treaty was signed by British Minister of Aviation Julian Amery and French Ambassador Jouffroy de Coursel. The agreement would see the two countries agree to a collaborative development of a supersonic airliner.
According to Concorde-SST, the result of this was that the two countries’ governments would agree to share the development and production costs of the new plane.
It was also agreed that the development of the aircraft’s Olympus 593 jet engines would also be a collaborative effort, carried out by Bristol Siddeley of the UK and SNECMA of France.
A decision for the aircraft to bear the name Concorde was announced by Charles de Gaulle at a press conference in January 1963. In March 1965, the first metal was cut for the prototype aircraft.
Prototype aircraft were built in both the UK (Filton, Bristol) and France (Toulouse), with the French prototype (001) commencing construction in April 1966. Meanwhile, the British prototype (002) followed suit just four months later, in August of the same year.
September 1966 saw the Olympus 593 jet engines undergo flight testing on a modified Avro Vulcan bomber, although the engine was only tested to the limit of the subsonic barrier (Mach 0.98).
The historic first flights
Concorde 001 lifted off from Toulouse for the first time in March 1969 (accompanied by two chase planes), followed by Concorde 002 in Bristol a month later.
Just over a year later, the French prototype was ceremonially rolled out in Toulouse in December 1967, with more than 1,100 guests in attendance.
This aircraft subsequently underwent engine testing in March 1968, followed by taxi trials in August of that year. A month later, the British prototype was rolled out in Bristol, and, within a year, both aircraft would have taken to the skies for the first time.

Concorde ultimately only flew for two airlines worldwide, despite many more, including several US-based carriers, declaring early commitment to the project.
Each airline operated just seven aircraft, while six prototype/development aircraft were built on either side of the English Channel.
Concorde’s entry into airline service
The aircraft’s entry into service took place almost 50 years ago, on 21 January 1976. Although the aircraft would not initially begin flying to New York JFK from their respective bases of London Heathrow and Paris Charles De Gaulle, it would be the sub-four-hour journeys on these routes for which Concorde would eventually become famous.
Thereafter, and for the next 27 years, the Concorde found a place in the public’s heart for its elegance, appeal, and technical brilliance.

Even when people saw it, they would refer to it differently from other aircraft. Rather than say, there is a Boeing 747 or an Airbus, people would refer to it in the singular form – that is, “look, there goes Concorde.”
Where are they now?
As previously mentioned, out of the 20 Concordes that were built, 18 are still in existence.
One of the remaining examples (registered F-BTSC) was lost while taking off from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport on a charter flight in July 2000. All 109 passengers and crew died when the aircraft caught fire on take-off and crashed a short time later into a hotel close to the end of the runway.
Out of the 18 airframes still in existence, 12 can be visited by the public (although note that visiting times and availability vary between aircraft – follow the links for further information.
The numbers shown in brackets below indicate the model variant of the Concorde. Those prefixed with ‘00’ were the two prototypes, while pre-production aircraft were assigned construction numbers starting with ‘1’. Lastly, the 14 production Concordes had construction numbers starting with the prefix ‘2’.
The French Concordes
F-WTSS (001)
This aircraft was the first Concorde prototype to fly with its maiden flight on 2 March 1969. It flew 397 hours in total and performed 249 supersonic test flights. It can now be seen at the French Air Museum at Le Bourget Airport (LBG) in Paris, France.

F-WTSA (102)
The first French pre-production Concorde, which first flew on 10 January 1973. The aircraft went on to fly 314 flights and completed 189 supersonic missions, ending its flying with 656 total flight hours. The aircraft is preserved and on display at the Musée Delta, Orly Airport in Paris, France.
F-WTSB (103)
The second French pre-production aircraft, this example first flew on 6 December 1973 from the Aerospatiale plant located at Toulouse, France. The aircraft went on to fly 423 flights, 247 of which were supersonic, and ended its flying with 910 total flight hours.

The aircraft remains owned and preserved by Aerospatiale and is on display outside their headquarters at Toulouse Airport, France.
F-BFVA (205)
Delivered to Air France in December 1975, the aircraft accumulated 17,824 flight hours and completed 6,780 flights before being retired from airline service in June 2003 when it flew from Paris to Washington, DC.
This aircraft also flew Air France Concorde launch services to Rio, Washington, and New York in 1976 and 1977, and in 1998, made a round-the-world trip in 41 hours, 27 minutes.

The aircraft is preserved at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).
F-BFVB (207)
Delivered to Air France on 8 March 1976, the aircraft completed 5,473 flights and 14,771 hours before it was retired from service in June 2003. Due to its low aircraft utilisation, ‘VB was stored at Paris between June 1990 and May 1997.
The aircraft now resides at the Sinsheim Auto & Technik Museum in Southwest Germany, where it was taken upon its retirement.
F-BFVC (209)
Delivered to Air France on 3 August 1976, ‘VC operated for 14,332 hours and completed 4,358 landings operating on behalf of Air France. Following the loss of sistership G-BTSC in Paris, all Concordes were temporarily grounded.
This action left ‘VC marooned in New York for three months, before she was flown home to Paris. At the time, many believed this would be the final Air France Concorde flight.
The aircraft is now displayed close to the Airbus final assembly building at Toulouse Airport, making it the second of the type to return to its spiritual home.
F-BFVD (211)
Having arrived with Air France in March 1977, the aircraft went on to complete 1,929 flights and accumulated 5,814 flight hours. However, in November 1977, the aircraft suffered a heavy landing in Dakar, Senegal, and went into storage. In 1982, it was repaired and returned to flying status.
However, in 1994, ‘VD was scrapped, having suffered serious corrosion in the years that it was stored. The nose assembly was sold to an American on 16 March 1995 for around $50,000. The rest of the fuselage was moved to Dugny, close to the taxiways at Le Bourget.
F-BTSD (213)
Delivered to Air France on 18 September 1978, this aircraft went on to complete 5,135 flights and accumulate 12,974 flight hours.
F-BTSD holds the world records for fastest flights around the world in both directions. Westbound, on 12-13 October 1992, the aircraft took 32 hours 49 minutes 03 seconds to fly Lisbon-Santo Domingo-Acapulco-Honolulu-Guam-Bangkok- Bahrain-Lisbon.

Eastbound on 15-16 August 1995, it flew for 31 hours 27 minutes 49 seconds on a routing New York JFK-Toulouse-Dubai-Bangkok-Guam-Honolulu-Acapulco-New York JFK.
In the mid-1980s, the aircraft wore a short-lived promotional navy blue livery on behalf of PepsiCo. The aircraft is preserved at the Le Bourget Air and Space Museum in Paris, France.
F-BVFF (215)
The last aircraft to be delivered to Air France in October 1980 was retired in June 2000. The aircraft accumulated 12,421 flight hours and completed 4,259 flights.
In 1986, F-BVFF became the first Air France Concorde to travel around the world on a charter flight and would complete 12 further trips in its operational life.

The aircraft is currently on display stands outside Charles De Gaulle Airport in Paris.
The British Concordes
G-BSST (002)
This aircraft was the first British prototype and first flew from Filton Airport near Bristol on 9 April 1969. During its testing phase, the aircraft flew 436 flights, 196 of which were supersonic.
Upon its retirement in March 1976, the aircraft flew from Filton to Yeovilton, where it continues to be preserved at the Royal Naval Fleet Air Arm Museum on behalf of the Science Museum based in London.
G-AXDN (102)
The first of the British pre-production aircraft, ‘DN first flew in December 1971. Having completed years of test flights around the world, the aircraft was retired in August 1977, having completed 273 test flights and almost 575 total hours.
The aircraft is now preserved at the Imperial War Museum in Duxford, Cambridgeshire, under the supervision of the Duxford Aviation Society, which preserves several classic UK-built airliners at the site.

As well as welcoming daily visitors, on certain days of the year, ‘DN also conducts nose droops for the public – an iconic feature of the legendary aircraft.
G-BBDG (202)
The second pre-production aircraft, ‘DG became the first Concorde to wear the livery of customer British Airways.
The aircraft continued flying after the 14 production aircraft had been delivered to the airlines. Work included further performance enhancements, such as the certification of the redesigned air intake profile. This modification, coupled to an uprated engine, allowed an increase in payload of 1,500-2,000 lbs.
In 2002, long after Delta Golf’s flying days were over, the airframe was used to test fit and certify new, strengthened cockpit doors required by the authorities after the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001.

In October 2003, the aircraft was offered to Brooklands Museum for restoration and public display. Dismantled (and later reassembled) by a specialist contractor, her major sections arrived at Brooklands by road in May and June 2004.
With a comprehensive new Concorde exhibition in the rear passenger cabin and a representative British Airways Concorde interior installed in the front cabin, Delta Golf opened to visitors in the Summer of 2006.
G-BOAA (206)
Delivered to British Airways in January 1976, ‘AA became the first Concorde to be delivered to the airline with a 42-minute hop from RAF Fairford. G-BOAA flew the inaugural British Airways Concorde service to Bahrain on 21 January 1976.
The aircraft was retired in August 2000 and was stored. In 2004, the plane was dismantled to be moved by road and sea to East Fortune airfield in Scotland, where it was fully reassembled. The aircraft is now on display at the National Museum of Flight, based at the airfield for public visitors.
G-BOAB (208)
Delivered to British Airways in September 1976 and retired in August 2000, the aircraft flew for a total of 22,296 hours and completed 7,810 landings.
Since its retirement, the aircraft has remained with its owner, British Airways, at its maintenance base at London Heathrow Airport. While not open to the public, ‘AB is normally clearly visible to aircraft taxiing around the airport, while making their way to or from the active runway.

Occasionally, the aircraft’s exact location changes as the aircraft is moved by tug for operational requirements.
G-BOAC (204)
G-BOAC was officially delivered to British Airways on 13 February 1976. However, before this, Concorde 204 was initially used by the manufacturers, BAC, to complete Certificate of Airworthiness items, such as air conditioning system checks and auto landing trials.
After the completion of these tests, ‘AC, along with the ill-fated F-BTSC, was used alongside the airlines on route-proving duties around the world.

British Airways considered Alpha Charlie as the flagship of their Concorde fleet as it bore the letters ‘BOAC’. These were also the initials of the British Overseas Airways Corporation, its predecessor, which, along with British European Airways, became British Airways.
G-BOAC was the aircraft chosen to launch the Washington service on 26 May 1976.
Retired from passenger service in 2003, the aircraft flew to Manchester Airport in the UK, where it is open to the public via the airport’s Runway Visitor Park.
G-BOAD (210)
Having its first flight in August 1976, this aircraft arrived with British Airways in December of that same year. During its career, the aircraft accumulated 23,397 flight hours and completed 8,406 landings.
Famously, G-BOAD was the Concorde used for the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Flypast over London on 4 June 2002.

She was retired to the Intrepid Air and Space Museum, a former US aircraft carrier moored on the Hudson River in New York, where it is open to the public.
G-BOAE (212)
With its delivery to British Airways in July 1977, ‘AE went on to fly for 23,376 hours and complete 8,383 flights for the carrier. In November 2003, the aircraft flew a positioning flight from Heathrow to Bridgetown, Barbados, where it can be seen at Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI).
Having operated Concorde flights to Barbados regularly in the past, the site was seen as a fitting recipient of one of the remaining aircraft by the airline.
G-BOAF (216)
Concorde 216 was purchased by British Airways as the airline’s sixth Concorde, although it was sold by British Aerospace to the airline for a token sum rumoured to be £1,000 + 10,000 French Francs for each of the four engines
British Airways then paid the full costs of over £1,000,000 for their own Buyer Furnished Equipment, such as radios, nav gear, galleys, and passenger seats. Upon delivery the airline in June 1980, ‘AF was pretty much the same as the original five British-built aircraft.

On 23 November 2003, the aircraft was retired from passenger service and ferried to Filton Airfield near Bristol, the former home of BAC and the UK birthplace of Concorde. This ferry flight became the last ever Concorde-operated flight anywhere in the world.
G-BOAG (214)
Entering service with British Airways in February 1980, the aircraft was not originally ordered by the carrier.
Originally registered to British Aerospace as G-BFKW, after its manufacture and with no buyer, it was loaned via a sale or return agreement to British Airways. It last flew for the airline in November 2003, operating one of the last Concorde flights from New York JFK to Heathrow.
The aircraft is now preserved and on display at the Museum of Flight, Seattle, USA.
Catch them while you can
As can be seen from the above list, there remains plenty of opportunity to see a Concorde these days around the world. However, with the cost of preserving these classic aircraft not coming cheap, it is anyone’s guess as to how long this will remain the case