Only Air France and British Airways operated the Concorde on transatlantic flights. Eventually, the British and French governments were forced to write off the cost of the plane's production. Environmentalists complained about the Concorde's noise, the distinctive roar of supersonic travel. Only 20 were ever built, though the original plan was for 300. Over the years the Concorde, which crosses the Atlantic in half the time of any other commercial jet, has developed a niche market and an operating profit for the French and British airlines.
Passengers fly in noiseless luxury with every imaginable perk, except movies.
Film projectors would have made the plane too heavy back when it was designed. Due to costs, there are no plans to replace the Concorde with a new supersonic jet. Experts say the plane has 15 or more flying years left, but its place in aviation history is assured. Pages will open in a new browser window External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive. All Rights Reserved.