Concorde's last commercial flight was BA002 on 24 October 2003. Learn its route, Air France's last service and the date Concorde last flew.
Concorde's last scheduled commercial flight was British Airways flight BA002 from New York JFK to London Heathrow on 24 October 2003. It landed at Heathrow that afternoon, ending 27 years of supersonic passenger service. Later Concorde movements were non-commercial farewell, positioning or preservation flights.
For our Aviation & Real-World Flying reference, the crucial distinction is between the last airline service and the last time a Concorde became airborne.
Which Concorde last-flight date is correct?
The answer depends on whether “last” means Air France's final service, the final commercial service worldwide, or Concorde's last flight of any kind.
| Event | Date | Flight or aircraft | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air France's final commercial service | 31 May 2003 | AF001 | New York JFK to Paris Charles de Gaulle |
| Final commercial Concorde service worldwide | 24 October 2003 | BA002, G-BOAG | New York JFK to London Heathrow |
| Final Concorde flight of any kind | 26 November 2003 | G-BOAF | London Heathrow to Filton |
What happened on 24 October 2003?
British Airways BA002 carried passengers from New York to Heathrow aboard Concorde G-BOAG. Its arrival was coordinated with two other British Airways Concordes returning from farewell flights, producing three successive landings at Heathrow.
That spectacle sometimes causes confusion over which aircraft was “last”, but BA002 is recognised as Concorde's final scheduled commercial passenger service.
Why do some sources give 31 May 2003?
That was the date of Air France's last commercial Concorde service, not the worldwide end of Concorde operations. British Airways continued flying passengers for nearly another five months before retiring its fleet in October.
Was BA002 Concorde's final flight ever?
No. Concorde G-BOAF made the type's final airborne journey on 26 November 2003, flying without a commercial passenger service from Heathrow to Filton near Bristol. Filton was closely associated with Concorde's British development and construction.
Several other positioning and preservation flights took place after 24 October, which is why the commercial and absolute last-flight dates differ.
Why did Concorde's commercial service end?
Concorde was retired because its economics no longer worked: passenger demand had fallen while maintenance and specialist support costs remained high. The 2000 Air France crash and the aviation downturn after 11 September 2001 contributed to that position, but retirement was not caused by one single defect or event.
Our fuller chronology of Concorde's service, accident and retirement explains how those factors combined before British Airways and Air France withdrew the aircraft.
How can simmers recreate Concorde's last commercial flight?
Recreate BA002 by flying from New York JFK to London Heathrow in a British Airways-liveried Concorde. The common mistake is commanding Mach 2 immediately after departure: Concorde remained subsonic near populated land, accelerated over the Atlantic and decelerated before reaching the UK.
Our explanation of Concorde's oceanic Mach 2 flight profile covers that procedure. For older simulators, an FSX and Prepar3D Concorde aircraft package provides a suitable starting point; systems depth varies, so follow its documentation for fuel transfer and centre-of-gravity management.