A Concorde plane at the Intrepid Museum.NekomuraKatsuo/Getty ImagesConcorde, the first and only supersonic commercial jetliner, operated from 1976 to 2003.Flown by royals, celebrities, and executives, it was discontinued because of high operating costs.A Concorde plane is open for public tours at the Intrepid Museum in New York City.Supersonic passenger air travel is a thing of the past, but you can still tour the plane that made it possible.In 1962, the governments of Britain and France signed the Anglo-French Agreement, pooling their money and resources to develop a supersonic commercial jet. The name "Concorde" was chosen because it means unity or harmony in both English and French.The first test flight was conducted in 1969, and Concorde flew commercially for the first time in 1976.Concorde's ability to cross oceans at twice the speed of sound attracted high-profile passengers, including celebrities, business executives, and members of the royal family. But its high operating costs and a deadly crash led to its retirement in 2003.Modern aviation startups are working to revive supersonic passenger air travel with new technology, but they also face challenges around economic viability and safety.Since Concorde jets are no longer operational, the planes have become museum pieces, providing visitors with a taste of the luxurious flight experiences they once provided.In May 2024, I toured a Concorde jet at the Intrepid Museum in New York City. The sea, air, and space museum is housed on a 900-foot-long aircraft carrier. Take a look inside.The last Concorde flight took off in 2003, and the Intrepid Museum added one of the jets to its collection that same year.NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 09: Workers place the British Airways Concorde on a harness at the Intrepid Museum on August 09, 2023 in New York City. The British Airways Concorde, the fastest commercial aircraft in the world, which has been on display at the Intrepid Museum was removed off the museum for a scheduled three-month restoration project. The restoration process will consist of the removal of its paint coating by stripping it down to the bare metal, sanding, and re-coating, and bringing back the original colors and markings of the plane. The museum also plans to renovate a section of Pier 86 adjacent to where the jet is located and create an additional 4,000 square feet of parkland for public use.Michael M. Santiago/Getty ImagesA total of 20 Concorde planes were built, and 14 flew commercially through British Airways and Air France, with most routes flying between New York City and London and New York City and Paris. Concorde's supersonic speed caused loud sonic booms upon breaking the sound barrier, which limited its routes to those above water.Concordes were ultimately discontinued because of high operating costs and safety concerns. British Airways spent about £1 billion a year on its fleet of Concorde jets, which proved unsustainable, according to the Intrepid Museum.In 2000, a Concorde flying from Paris to New York burst into flames and crashed shortly after takeoff when a blown tire ruptured the plane's fuel tanks, killing 113 people. All Concordes were grounded for a year and rebuilt with stronger fuel tanks, but the business never recovered, contributing to Concorde's retirement.Concorde's record flight time from New York City to London was 2 hours, 52 minutes, and 59 seconds, making it a popular choice for frequent travelers.Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip on a Concorde plane.APCelebrity passengers included Queen Elizabeth II, Christie Brinkley, Phil Collins, Paul McCartney, and the British oil executive Fred Finn.Touring Concorde's cabin at the Intrepid Museum requires a separate timed reservation.Outside the Concorde Experience at the Intrepid Museum.Talia Lakritz/Business InsiderRegular admission to the Intrepid Museum costs $38 per adult, and the Concorde tour costs an additional $15. Tickets can be purchased on the Intrepid Museum's website.I didn't realize that Concorde tickets were sold with timed admission for tours every 30 minutes, so I missed my slot while exploring the USS Growler, the only nuclear-missile submarine in the US open to the public. A manager was able to rebook me on the next Concorde tour at the museum's box office.Boarding the plane at the Intrepid Museum felt just like boarding a regular flight, except without the noise of a busy tarmac or jet engine.A British Airways Concorde plane.Talia Lakritz/Business InsiderBefore boarding, Concorde passengers would relax in a special Concorde lounge with an open buffet.The overhead bin space on the Concorde looked standard to me.Luggage bins on the Concorde.Talia Lakritz/Business InsiderConcorde passengers would drop their luggage off in the Concorde lounge.On the tour, I got to sit in Concorde class, which was a tier above first class.Seats on the Concorde.Talia Lakritz/Business InsiderAt 204 feet long and with a fuselage that was 9 feet 5 inches wide, Concorde pla
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