Fact Sheet: Concorde G-BOAC


  • Government authority for the production of G-BOAC was given in December 1969
  • Concorde G-BOAC (affectionately known as ‘Alpha Charlie’) became the second aircraft to join the UK’s Concorde fleet when she was delivered to British Airways on 13 February 1976
  • Despite the fact that G-BOAC was the second Concorde to be delivered, she is considered to be the flagship of the fleet as she carries the registration plate BOAC – which were the initials of British Overseas Airways Corporation, the airline that merged with BEA (British European Airways) to form British Airways
  • The aircraft made its first flight on 27 February 1975 and began its ‘endurance’ flying on 7 July that year taking in Bahrain, Bombay, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Melbourne, Beirut, Gander and Damascus
  • On 1 September 1975, G-BOAC became the first aircraft to make four Atlantic crossings in one day. It flew between London and Gander, Newfoundland
  • After months of discussions between the UK and US Governments, Alpha Charlie was the first Concorde in commercial service to land on US soil at Washington Dulles airport on 24 May 1976
  • On 19 December 1985, G-BOAC travelled at 1,488 mph, the highest recorded ground speed for a commercial airliner
  • To mark 10 years in service, four British Airways Concordes – including G-BOAC – flew in formation over the Atlantic
  • G-BOAC operated flights BA001 and BA002 to and from New York on 23 July 2002. These flights marked the return of British Airways Concordes to commercial passenger service following an extensive refit
  • During its 27 years in commercial service, Concorde G-BOAC visited Manchester Airport on 19 occasions. The first was on 4 December 1987 and the last was on 17 September 1999. Both were charter flights.
  • The aircraft also attended the opening of Terminal 3 at the airport in April 1998
  • G-BOAC’s final visit to Manchester Airport was her flight from Heathrow to her new home on 31 October 2003. This was her farewell flight. She is now on permanent display at Manchester Airport’s Aviation Viewing Park – as a lasting tribute to the beauty and engineering excellence of an amazing aircraft.