Air France has just released a special documentary, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the first flight of the carrier’s Concorde. This is such an incredibly well done video, with amazing visuals and commentary.
In this post:
“Concorde Air France: They Made the Legend Fly”
On January 21, 1976, Air France operated its first commercial flight with the Concorde, from Dakar to Rio de Janeiro. The airline is celebrating this milestone by releasing a documentary to commemorate the 50th anniversary.
The documentary is called “Concorde Air France: They Made the Legend Fly,” and it’s intended to serve as a historical reference, bringing together firsthand accounts from Air France employees who were involved in the success of the “Great White Bird.” Here’s how the airline describes the documentary:
Presented by Benjamin Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Air France-KLM and Chair of the Air France Board of Directors, this exceptional documentary offers nearly 40 minutes of immersion into the heart of the legendary aircraft, more than twenty years after it was retired from service. Filmed at the Air and Space Museum in Le Bourget, where the aircraft is on display, the film provides rare, up-close access, from its iconic cockpit, opened especially for the occasion, to the timeless elegance of its cabin designed by Andrée Putman. It offers a unique opportunity for viewers to go behind the scenes of this true aviation legend.
The documentary features interviews with five Air France employees who are still working today, representing key professions to Concorde’s operations: a pilot, two flight attendants, a mechanic and a Concorde lounge agent. Though their exclusive stories, anecdotes and personal photos, as well as rarely seen archival footage, they reveal the secrets and excellence of an iconic flight, from the airport lounge overlooking the aircraft to the prestigious experience on board.
A genuine technological showcase and masterpiece of innovation, the Concorde is a legendary aircraft that embodies Air France’s aeronautical prowess. This pivotal chapter in the airline’s history has left a lasting technological and cultural imprint. A symbol of Franco-British expertise and cooperation, it remains a defining element of Air France’s identity – a precious heritage and an endless source of inspiration that continue to shape innovation and the modern customer experience.
You can see a short teaser of the documentary below (which has no words, but instead, just focuses on nice visuals).
Then you can watch the documentary below. While it’s in French, you can turn on English subtitles.
I love how this documentary is presented by Ben Smith
I think it’s so cool that this video is presented by Air France-KLM CEO Ben Smith, one of the airline CEOs I respect and like the most. While this isn’t a primary qualification to be an airline CEO, I think what I love most about Ben is his passion for airplanes. You couldn’t possibly meet a bigger aviation geek than him.
Sometimes you’ll talk to airline executives, and you realize that they don’t actually know the first thing about planes, and couldn’t tell two popular types of planes apart (which, just to be clear, isn’t a problem if they’re good at running an airline). Or you meet some airline executives who just can’t seem to get out of “CNBC mode,” as I call it, where they struggle to talk like humans, or to recite anything other than their earnings call talking points.
Meanwhile I remember the first time I met Ben (back in his Air Canada days), and he started rattling off aviation geek facts, including the key difference between the staircase of the 747-200 vs. 747-300 (I think that’s what it was, at least). It was the first time I had ever met a senior airline executive with that level of passion for the industry.
Looking at the comments on the YouTube video (translated from French), I see things like this:
Ben Smith shows genuine interest. Real curiosity. He’s not overacting like in a marketing film. A real discussion between enthusiasts.
This is 100% true. I guarantee you that Ben wanted to do this more than anything, and this isn’t your typical situation where a CEO is talked into doing something like this, and is bored and has no clue what they’re talking about.
Bottom line
Air France is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the first flight of the Concorde, with a documentary showcasing what it was like to fly on the plane, the engineering that went into it, and the impact the plane had on the airline.
It’s nice to see an airline go such lengths to create a meaningful documentary about a plane, and it’s especially cool that it’s presented by Air France-KLM CEO Ben Smith. I enjoyed watching it (even if it required reading subtitles, given that I don’t speak French), and I highly recommend over aviation geeks give it a watch as well!
Well, I guess this post won't be online for long. Concorde was an amazing technological achievement. It was robust and capable. It's such a shame that "Air Chance" broke the rules and started a catastrophic chain of incompetence that caused a fatal crash.
Was lucky enough to fly it twice, JFK-LHR in 1994 and then LHR-JFK in 1995 on my honeymoon. Incredibly cramped, very noisy (BA handed out special leather-covered heavy headphones) and Krug champagne. And then you looked out of the window and saw the dark beginnings of space… I consider myself very fortunate.
Wow this is a great look into the Supersonic passenger flight era.
I had the joy of flying Concorde on both BA and AF in the early 90s. I was so surprised with how small the cabins were ! but it's not like we were on board for long. Both airlines out did themselves with food and service but I have a strong love for Air France. Oh I wish the younger people today (OH OLD MAN SPEAK !!) could experience how special Concorde was.
Brad …. There is nothing wrong with “OLD MAN SPEAK” …. at least us old blighters can put more than two words together and make a coherent sentence …. :-)
Us can make a coherent sentence.
If you are ever on a CRJ700, just dream that it's a Concorde interior, haha. The E175 seems more spacious or at least has larger overhead bins.
derek, not having been on your CRJ700, I had to check it out on SeatMaps. You are pretty much spot on Gunga Din, that ‘compactness’ in the back is almost exactly as I remember the Concorde interior space. Much more Ryanair than SQ F, by today’s standards.
Can it still be an anniversary if you are divorced?
Agreed. It's such an idiotic idea. It's like people talking about it's the birthday today - of dead people.
One of the greatest things about air travel is its ability to take you to new places. New experiences, new connections. I wish I had had the opportunity to fly the Concorde.
I did have the opportunity to tour one at the aircraft museum in Manchester, UK. What an elegant aircraft! I do wonder how today’s travelers would feel about the configuration. I recall it being rather cozy in there.
Parker, “Cozy”, really is the operative word and then only for those not vertical challenged. From memory, if I recall correctly, I would say that anyone over about 5’10”/~177cm, would find it tight.
Those who remember it as comfortable, were usually ladies and those men of smaller stature. Alternatively, those who were too afraid to admit that they had exchanged speed and exclusivity for comfort.
Air France also recently released an incredibly well-done video, "Inside the Dream," on the years-long process to design and introduce the new La Première experience, working across disciplines to bring together the best of France on the ground and in the sky. I've only seen it in French but it was listed on Amazon at debut to watch in the U.S. (but then not available due to rights issues at the time).
Chris, is this the one?
https://corporate.airfrance.com/en/news/inside-dream-la-premiere-air-france
thanks for sharing!
Paris to Dakar to Rio de Janeiro. ;)
Unlike steam trains or Ford Mustangs, there's nothing that's superseded it. We're not looking at Concorde as an example of how dated technology is - it is still at the cutting edge. Losing it has been one giant leap backwards for the mankind. - Jeremy Clarkson
One has to admire Jeremy’s turn of phrase, also noting, that those RR Turbojet engines sounded like Jeremy barking at a BBC Top Gear producer, whilst he was suffering from pharyngitis.
Once heard, never forgotten …. and that was just take off and landing.
I had the opportunity to fly LHR -JFK. It was a magnificent craft and fantastic flights.
"I can’t understand what’s being said..."
You don't have to. Turn on English closed captions.
Great find and thanks for sharing! The French and British rightfully should take great pride in this aircraft. Ahead of its time. Never had the chance to experience it. Only saw it at air shows and at JFK. Wish it still operated today.
1990, the last AF flight I took was Rio-Paris on the subject aircraft. It turned out to be a most uncomfortable experience. Seats spaced only for the vertically challenged, lavatory which forced those who are not vertically challenged to sit for a pee. Don’t laugh now, mocking doesn’t become you!
Not forgetting, all that happened probably before you were even a twinkle in your father’s eye …. :-)
@AeroB13a, I always dreamt of flying the Concorde but it was not meant to be; the closest I got was touring the one at the Intrepid Museum in NYC...and I did find it tight but fascinating. It even had its own movie "The Concorde... Airport '79"! Though where else could the chances of sitting across the likes of Phil Collins and Diana Ross be as high?
Ricky, thank you for your post. Yes, the aircraft was iconic, marvellous for its time and a joy for many, many people.
Had I taken a short flight between, say JFK-LHR, with the likes of Phil Collins or Diana Ross, for company, then I might have appreciated the experience more. I do remember that the flight cost was just under £2k in 1981.
Being vertically challenged I enjoyed my Concorde flights.
AF used to give a free hotel suite for 1 night in Paris in those days. The toilets were something else but the take-offs were great.
The Concorde discriminated against the poor and the tall.
But it had to be done Norm, I was lucky like so many others. Guess who didn’t buy a new Mini for my wife that year …. she ended up having to wait for a new Honda Civic Shuttle (Jazz/Fit, etc, nowadays depending upon what country you live in).