AIRCRAFT - Air France releases a special documentary to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Concorde’s first commercial flight

To mark the fiftieth anniversary of Concorde’s first commercial flight, Air France is unveiling a never-before-seen documentary entitled “Concorde Air France: They Made the Legend Fly”. Serving as a true historical reference, this film brings together firsthand accounts from the airline’s employees who were actively involved in the success of the “Great White Bird”, retracing part of this legend of French aviation. This exceptional documentary is available exclusively on Air France’s YouTube channel.

“Concorde Air France: They Made the Legend Fly”

Presented by Benjamin Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Air France-KLM and Chair of the Air France Board of Directors, this exceptional documentary offers nearly 40 minutes of immersion into the heart of the legendary aircraft, more than twenty years after it was retired from service. Filmed at the Air and Space Museum in Le Bourget, where the aircraft is on display, the film provides rare, up-close access, from its iconic cockpit, opened especially for the occasion, to the timeless elegance of its cabin designed by Andrée Putman. It offers a unique opportunity for viewers to go behind the scenes of this true aviation legend.

The documentary features interviews with five Air France employees who are still working today, representing key professions to Concorde's operations: a pilot, two flight attendants, a mechanic and a Concorde lounge agent. Though their exclusive stories, anecdotes and personal photos, as well as rarely seen archival footage, they reveal the secrets and excellence of an iconic flight, from the airport lounge overlooking the aircraft to the prestigious experience on board.

This documentary enriches the legacy of French civil aviation and provides a new landmark for the world to celebrate Concorde’s powerful historical heritage.
Concorde, the supersonic odyssey

On January 21, 1976, Air France operated its first commercial Concorde flight to Dakar and Rio de Janeiro. Fifty years later, the airline is celebrating this iconic legacy and symbol of excellence in French aviation.
A genuine technological showcase and masterpiece of innovation, the Concorde is a legendary aircraft that embodies Air France’s aeronautical prowess. This pivotal chapter in the airline’s history has left a lasting technological and cultural imprint. A symbol of Franco-British expertise and cooperation, it remains a defining element of Air France’s identity – a precious heritage and an endless source of inspiration that continue to shape innovation and the modern customer experience.