You’d be forgiven for thinking that only Air France and British Airways operated Concorde. As we know, Singapore Airlines also operated Concorde, as did an airline in the United States, Braniff.
This is the third article in Concorde week, with the first one here, and the second one here. Let’s have a look at the American operation of Concorde.
Braniff Concorde
Commencing on 12 January 1979, Braniff operated Concorde between Dallas Fort Worth and Washington Dulles five times per week. These connected to London three times a week and Paris twice weekly. One way fares were US$154 to US$169 in early 1979, $US194 later that year, and US$227 in early 1980. Initially this was a 10% surcharge over First Class however this was soon removed.
The cockpit and cabin crew were all employed by the US airline, who took over the aircraft from Air France or British Airways. As the FAA mandated that the aircraft had to be registered in the United States, they were “sold” to Braniff each time they operated the service. This meant they became a US registered aircraft while operating domestically.
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- Concorde would have looked great in Braniff colours!
The last two letters of the existing registration were carried over. Therefore, a British Airways Concorde registered G-BOAC became N81AC, while an Air France Concorde registered F-BVFD became N94FD.
Fourteen Braniff pilots, comprising of three Captains, five First Officers and four Flight Engineers were trained to operate the aircraft. While speeds were restricted to Mach 0.95 for the US sector – just below supersonic – the crew were fully trained to fly up to Mach 2.
What Happened?
For the American services, the documentation such as manuals and so on all had to be US approved. This meant storing the British or French documentation in the forward toilet for the US services!
Unfortunately, the flights never caught on with the public. A 121% increase in jet fuel costs coupled with load factors as low as 20% meant a lot of money was being lost on the flights. In May 1980, a little more than a year after flights started, the operation was terminated.
Overall Thoughts
It is a shame that Concorde never appeared in Braniff colours. Artists impressions are all we have to show what the aircraft might have looked like.
Considering how few people would have used the service, anyone who got on board is probably very lucky they did so. The pilots and cabin crew have the rare distinction of having worked on board the world’s most popular supersonic airliner.
Did you ever fly on Concorde with Braniff between Washington DC and Dallas? Would you have taken this flight, or would you have paid the usual First Class fare on a subsonic aircraft instead? Thank you for reading and if you have any comments or questions, please leave them below.
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Featured image and Braniff advertisement via ConcordeSST.com
Braniff Concorde Flight Certificate via Airways Magazine.
My Dad and I flew on the Braniff Concorde flight IAD-DFW. When I was in 10th grade, we went to NYC for a long weekend. We were staying at The Plaza and I believe my dad overheard another guest of the hotel mention the IAD-DFW Concord flight. So we changed our return and flew to DC and spent the entire day sightseeing DC and then took Concorde from IAD-DFW. I was only 16 at the time but I remember that day like yesterday (it was bitterly cold in DC that day too). It was very exciting to fly Concorde. I… Read more »
That is amazing that you got to experience it – how lucky that a) your Dad overheard that other guest and b) that he decided it was worth changing the return booking and doing that. How lucky are you? I can imagine it would have been extremely exciting to fly on Concorde, and you’ve done it on one of the rarest routes ever operated. Thanks for telling me about it – I’m very jealous! 🙂
The guy’s Dad really had foresight! If this route were started today, say by AA (and the Concorde was still flying), I would jump at the chance knowing that it might just last a few months.
I never flew on the Concorde. I’ve only been inside one at a museum and inside a prototype at another museum. The only way I can imagine being on a Concorde is when I am on a CRJ700. I pretend that the 2+2 seating is on a Concorde.
That’s quite true actually, the CRJ is quite small like Concorde, but a little less luxurious or special. I agree with you, that Dad really had some foresight taking that flight. It must have been some experience. I’m also with you on the fact that I’d jump at the chance to fly on it today. I hope that Boom Supersonic project actually happens, because I know I’ll definitely be taking that, regardless of the cost. Thanks for the comment!
This is amazing, I was unaware, thanks for sharing. I’m surprised by the fares; it seems very reasonable. I take it those fares didn’t include the transatlantic sector? According to the inflation calculator, 227 USD in 1985, is about 536 USD today. Of course the US sector is subsonic, but I would still consider it well worth it!!
That price is definitely just the IAD-DFW flight. Nice work on the inflation calculator – I was wondering how much it would be today, but couldn’t be bothered to check. I would definitely pay that much for a flight on Concorde – I guess it was a bargain compared to the transatlantic flight cost.