David Frost opined that he could leave London and be in New York at the same time. So here’s to memories of Concorde and a supersonic United Airlines return.
Alas, our favourite big-nosed, big bird won’t be coming back after being retired in 2003 because of costs.
But our friends at United Airlines are stepping into the void and plan for a prototype flight either this year or next.
They are planning to buy 15 Boom planes from a US start-up firm.
It will seat 88 and fly passengers from London to Newark in three and a half hours.
Budget supersonic
Most importantly Boom’s engineering costs are 75% lower because of technical advances which will make the fares cheaper.
So quite what today’s movers and shakers will think about sharing with the Great Unwashed? Well.
The hoi polloi had to either get lucky in a competition or save, save, save to get on.
And grab a view of the elite at the front of the plane.
My Concorde flight
The last time I was on Concorde (and isn’t it beautifully entitled to say that?) I got to move freely through the plane.
Aa well as many of the delights of living back in Scotland, in North Berwick, south of Edinburgh is the proximity of the National Museum of Flight in East Fortune.
The Museum of Flight is one of the few places where the public can still board a Concorde.
And, of course, I got my suitcases out when we were at last let out of lockdown.
See you in New York
The first thing that strikes you about Conc when you board is that there’s no left so the ‘cheap’ seats are at the back.
And there are two seats on each side of the aisle so less climbing over to get to the loo.
There’s a compartment to put up your jacket while the overhead locker doesn’t look big enough to hold a purse.
But then that’s what the hold is for, for all that New York shopping.
If you know your history
For an insight into all the accessories there are glass display cases where you can view the menus (no quail’s eggs?) and cutlery (no plastic here).
You can view the uniforms and watch a video of the history of the most famous plane of all.
And even play a wire, plane and silhouette interactive game too.
Yes, I’d have preferred a simulator having flown into (crashed) JFK at Turkish Airlines HQ in Istanbul.
But all that schmmozing with my pals at United is bound to pay off!
So here’s to memories of Concorde and a supersonic return. United style!
MEET YOU IN THE SKIES