<p class="ingestion featured-caption">The Concorde at the Intrepid Museum.R Ikeda/Shutterstock</p><ul class="summary-list"><li>Concorde, the first and only supersonic commercial jetliner, operated from 1976 to 2003.</li><li>Flown by royals, celebrities, and executives, it was discontinued due to high operating costs.</li></ul><p>In 1962, the governments of Britain and France signed the Anglo-French Agreement, pooling their money and resources to develop a <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/concorde-supersonic-jet-history-2018-10">supersonic commercial jet</a>. The name "Concorde" was chosen because it means unity or harmony in both English and French.</p><p>The first test flight was conducted in 1969, and the Concorde flew commercially for the first time in 1976.</p><p>The 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. However, Concorde's high operating costs and a deadly crash led to its retirement in 2003.</p><p>Modern <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/supersonic-jet-boom-overture-costs-technology-experts-skeptical-2024-4">aviation startups</a> are working to revive supersonic passenger air travel with new technology, but they also face challenges around economic viability and safety.</p><p>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.</p><p>In May, I toured a Concorde jet at the <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/intrepid-sea-air-and-space-museum-tour-new-york-2018-2">Intrepid Museum</a> in New York City, a sea, air, and space museum housed on a 900-foot-long aircraft carrier. Take a look inside.</p>