Summary

  • Paul McCartney regularly flew on Concorde, often bringing his guitar and inviting fellow passengers to join in impromptu sing-alongs of Beatles songs at supersonic speeds.
  • The Queen Mother celebrated her 85th birthday aboard Concorde, giving her the thrilling experience of supersonic flight from the cockpit jumpseat.
  • Michael Jackson found inspiration for his music on Concorde, even writing the song “Billie Jean” 50,000 feet in the air and having to remember it until he could record it later.

Concorde was a remarkable feat of engineering, symbolizing the pinnacle of luxury air travel during its time in service. Renowned for its impressive speed and opulence, it was often the preferred choice of air travel over private jets for transatlantic flights. From its commercial debut in the 1970s until its retirement in 2003, this supersonic marvel attracted some of the world’s most prestigious and famous passengers.

Beyond just speed, Concorde offered an unparalleled experience, featuring gourmet meals and fine wines at 60,000 feet. Let’s dive into the stories of five famous Concorde passengers who left their mark on the history of this iconic airliner.

1

Paul McCartney

Singer/Songwriter – The Beatles

Paul McCartney, the legendary singer-songwriter from The Beatles, often brought his musical flair to the cabin of Concorde during his transatlantic journeys between London and New York. Whenever he boarded the supersonic jet, he was frequently accompanied by his trusty guitar, ready to strum a tune at 60,000 feet.

A Photo of Paul McCartney with his guitar.

Interestingly, John Lennon, another iconic member of The Beatles, was also known to be part of McCartney’s entourage on Concorde. The rock star sure did love the supersonic jet, as evident in these interesting facts below:

  • Frequent Concorde Flyer: Paul McCartney was a regular on the Concorde, enjoying its lightning-fast speed and top-notch luxury to zip between London and New York for his various gigs and adventures.
  • Special Concorde Charter: In 1996, Paul McCartney chartered a Concorde for his tour, ensuring he could travel swiftly and comfortably between performances. This highlights his preference for the supersonic jet’s convenience during his busy tour schedules.
  • Pizza Delivery by Concorde: In a whimsical use of the supersonic jet’s speed, Paul McCartney once ordered a pizza from New York to be delivered to London by Concorde, showcasing both his love for the aircraft and his playful personality.

Lawrence Azerrad, the author of “Supersonic: The Design and Lifestyle of Concorde,” recalls that McCartney often invited his fellow passengers to join along in impromptu sing-alongs of Beatles classics while cruising at supersonic speeds at heights of 60,000 feet.

2

Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother

The late Queen of the United Kingdom

Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, the former Queen of the United Kingdom and mother of Queen Elizabeth II, took to the skies in the Concorde to celebrate her 85th birthday in 1985.

A portrait of Queen Mother Elizabeth.

Here are some interesting facts about The Queen Mother and her Concorde experience:

  • Historical Milestone: The Queen Mother was born in 1900, three years before the Wright brothers’ first flight, and she lived to experience supersonic travel.
  • Aviation Enthusiast: Despite her traditional royal duties, The Queen Mother had a keen interest in aviation, making her flight on the Concorde a fitting celebration of her lifelong fascination with the skies.
  • Cockpit Jump Seat: During her flight, she was given the rare privilege of sitting in the cockpit jump seat, witnessing the marvel of supersonic travel firsthand from a pilot’s perspective.
  • Royal Connections: Her daughter, Queen Elizabeth II, also flew on the Concorde, first experiencing the iconic aircraft in 1977, further cementing the royal family’s connection with this remarkable feat of engineering.

Related

How Concorde Formed Part Of A $500,000 Birthday Party In 1985

The supersonic aircraft took 100 lucky guests from Omaha to London and back via New York.

The Queen Mother’s flight offered her a breathtaking aerial view of Britain at nearly twice the speed of sound, making for an exhilarating experience. This adventure was actually a long-awaited dream of hers — she had initially requested to fly on Concorde about a decade earlier. However, her request was postponed due to concerns about the newness of Concorde’s technology at the time.

3

Michael Jackson

The King of Pop

Michael Jackson didn’t just use his time on Concorde for traveling; he also turned it into a creative workspace. It’s reported that during his flights, Jackson found inspiration for some of his music, including the iconic song “Billie Jean.”

According to MichaelJackson.com, the singer once remarked,

“Songs come at the strangest times. I could be walking through the park, it’ll just hit you. I wrote a song in a Concorde, 50,000 feet in the air, and I didn’t have a tape recorder, so I had to remember it. I got home and put it on tape. They just come.”

MJ is not the only one that’s written a hit song while on a plane. Here’s a look at a few other notable names that have created hits while in the air:

  • Jet Airliner by Steve Miller Band: Written by Steve Miller during a flight, inspired by the experience of traveling and the thoughts that came to him during the journey.
  • Flying High Again by Ozzy Osbourne: Inspired by his reflections during air travel, capturing the highs and lows of life.
  • Across the Universe by The Beatles: John Lennon developed the lyrics while on a meditation retreat, which included moments of reflection during flights.
  • Leaving on a Jet Plane by John Denver: Written with the feelings and experiences associated with being away from loved ones in mind.

4

Phil Collins

Singer/Songwriter

Musician Phil Collins made headlines for his travels during the Live Aid benefit concert in 1985. Thanks to Concorde, Collins performed on both sides of the Atlantic on the same day — first in London’s Wembley Stadium and later in Philadelphia’s JFK Stadium.

A Photo of Phil Collins singing.

As a real testament to Concorde’s speed in the air, musician Phil Collins made headlines during the 1985 Live Aid benefit concert with his remarkable travels, per Britannica. Thanks to Concorde, Collins was the only artist able to perform on both sides of the Atlantic in a single day — first at London’s Wembley Stadium and then later at Philadelphia’s JFK Stadium.

Following his Wembley performance, Collins embarked on a whirlwind trip that involved a helicopter ride, a supersonic Concorde flight to New York City, and another helicopter to the second show. While not necessarily impossible today, not having the supersonic speed of Concorde would definitely make such a feat a lot more of a logistical nightmare, considering the time that would be needed.

Related

Could A Preserved Concorde Ever Return To The Skies?

While it is theoretically possible for the Concorde to fly, the costs and other challenges make it very unlikely.

  • Top Speed: Concorde reached a maximum speed of Mach 2.02, about 1,354 miles per hour (2,180 kilometers per hour) at cruising altitude.
  • Atlantic Crossing Time: The jet could complete a transatlantic flight in approximately 3.5 hours, significantly reducing travel time compared to subsonic aircraft.
  • Climb Rate: Concorde climbed at a rate of around 1,500 feet per minute, allowing for a quicker ascent to cruising altitude.
  • Cruise Velocity: During cruise, Concorde maintained a speed of about 1,200 miles per hour (1,930 kilometers per hour), roughly twice the speed of sound.

5

Sarah Ferguson

Author, Television Personality, and Duchess of York

The Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, embraced Concorde’s speed on a regular basis. According to The Guardian, he is even thought to have gone as far as incorporating the iconic aircraft into her daily routine at times, having once said:

“What’s great about it is I’m able to take my children to school at 8.30 in the morning, drop them off, then take BA flight 001 at 10.30am to New York, and get to New York at 9.30am, in time for my Weight Watchers meetings and speeches.”

The Duke and Duchess of York standing side by side.

Ferguson’s use of Concorde shows that it was more than just a fancy way to travel — it was a savvy tool for managing time. It’s like having a VIP pass to the skies, letting you skip the long hours of conventional flights and get to your destination in record time, all while traveling in style.

British Airways Concorde taking off

Taking a page out of the duchess’ playbook, we thought we’d leave you with clever ways you could use Concorde — theoretically speaking, of course, because unless you have a time machine, these supersonic dreams will have to stay grounded! Here’s a list of ways you could use Concorde:

  • Business Meetings Across Continents: Hop on a Concorde to attend morning meetings in London and be back in New York by afternoon, impressing clients with your global presence.
  • Weekend Getaways: Turn weekend trips into true getaways by zipping off to Europe on a Friday evening and still having a full day on Sunday before heading home.
  • Concerts and Events: Fly to attend a concert or major event in another country and be back home before the after-party ends.
  • Shopping Sprees: Indulge in a shopping spree in Paris or Milan and return the same day, boasting about your chic new wardrobe with no jet lag.
  • Family Visits: Surprise family members across the Atlantic by showing up for a special dinner and still making it back to your own bed by nightfall.

Did you ever travel on Concorde? Share your experiences by commenting below.

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