“Welcome back,” said the control tower at New York’s JFK airport yesterday as Concorde touched down after its three-hour 23-minute flight. “It’s great to see you!” The assembled passengers, including Sting and Sir David Frost, broke into applause to celebrate the Speedbird’s return to the skies after a 16-month break.
The passengers, frequent Concorde users (plus a smattering of journalists), were all guests of British Airways, whose blue riband transatlantic service had been suspended following the tragic crash in Paris on July 25, 2000. One £17 million safety overhaul – and an interior redesign overseen by Sir Terence Conran – later, the prestigious aeroplane was back in business.
Multi-millionaire Sting, currently promoting his new album, was a regular on Concorde before last year’s tragedy. And, he said, it was good to be back in the narrow seats. “I’ve never felt safer,” he reflected. “I get a plane every day of the year. I’m safer here than on the M3 motorway. It’s a huge gas-guzzling machine and yet it’s beautiful. I love that paradox.”
As well as the 96 tons of fuel needed to propel it across the Atlantic, the plane was filled with all the things that make its £9,122 tickets so sought-after. Caviar, lobster, smoked salmon, truffles, quails’ eggs and the finest wines – including vintage Krug champagne, Puligny-Montrachet 1993 and Chateau Pichon-Longueville Comtesse-de-Lalande 1988 Grand Cru – were served to the 100 voyagers.
And there was another surprise waiting for them in the Big Apple. Outgoing mayor Rudy Giuliani hopped on board to welcome the flyers to the metropolis. “Welcome to the capital of the world,” he said. “I appreciate your support for New York City. Spend lots of money!”
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
