Dinner marks Concorde's last Manchester Airport flight

Concorde could fly at twice the speed of sound

A gala dinner celebrating the last commercial flight Concorde made into Manchester Airport has taken place at the airport under the wings of the jet.

The dinner, at its Runway Visitor Park (RVP), saw guests hear from former Concorde pilot Captain John Tye and its most frequent flyer, Fred Finn.

Guests also had the chance to board the plane and see a demonstration of Concorde's famous nose droop.

People flocked to the airport for its first Manchester flight in 1980.

The jet that could fly at twice the speed of sound made its final commercial flight from Manchester on 22 October 2003.

A week later the flagship aircraft in British Airways' Concorde fleet touched down at Manchester one last time to go on display at RVP.

The plane's last flight to Manchester was 20 years ago

Former Captain Mr Tye told BBC North West Tonight of his "fantastic" memories of flying the plane.

"I flew it twice across the Atlantic at twice the speed of sound - close to space - and I brought it back into Manchester several times," he recalled.

His favourite flights to the city were charter ones.

"We called them the affordable dream because real people could fly on them," he said.

Mr Tye said he would never forget seeing thousands of people on the ground from his cockpit vantage point.

"It was absolutely incredible," he said. "It just reminded you how special Concorde was.

"As we taxied after landing we would see hundreds and hundreds of people.

"I remember the pub at the end of the runway.

"It would always have people who had waited hours to see us take off which was like being at the front of a rocket as you power down the runway with 100 passengers behind you."

Captain John Tye said the plane always received an incredible response in Manchester

Passengers were always welcomed with fresh red roses

The first four seats were reserved for Queen Elizabeth II on the right, her handbag, Prince Philip's briefcase and then the Prince

Guests paid £90 a head to dine under Concorde

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