Concorde in flight, 1976. Concorde was a supersonic passenger jet airliner developed jointly by the UK and France. Powered by turbojet engines, its top speed was over twice the speed of sound. Its first commercial flight was in 1976, and it was retired from service in 2003. A total of 20 Concordes were built, with airliner services operated by British Airways and Air France. This is Concorde F-BVFA, with Air France livery. It first flew on 27 October 1975 from Toulouse. It was retired on 12 June 2003 after flying 17,824 hours. It is now on display at the Smithsonian Institution National Air and Space Museum. Photographed on 15 September 1976.