Air France commemorates the 50th anniversary of Concorde’s first commercial flight

 

On 21 January 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 by launching an exclusive collection of merchandise that will soon be available on shopping.airfrance.com. The airline will also premiere a special documentary retracing the history of this French aviation legend on its YouTube channel starting January 21, 2026, at 7 a.m.

The White Bird takes to the skies

On Wednesday 21 January 1976, at 12:40pm, the Air France Concorde, registration F-BVFA, made its first commercial flight to Rio de Janeiro, with a stop-over in Dakar. After a flight time of just 7 hours and 26 minutes, Air France inaugurated its supersonic era, which would continue for 27 years, until 2003. With a cruising altitude of around 60,000 feet – twice as high as other long-haul aircraft – passengers were able to admire the Earth’s curved horizon through the windows.

With a seat capacity of 100, the Concorde reached a cruising speed of Mach 2.02, or 1,350mph. Its sleek, unique and instantly recognizable silhouette featured a wingspan of 84 feet, a length of 204 feet, and a height of 37 feet.

A genuine technological showcase and masterpiece of innovation, the Concorde is a legendary aircraft that embodies Air France’s aeronautical excellence. This pivotal chapter in the airline’s history has left a lasting technological and cultural imprint. A symbol of Franco-British expertise, it remains today a major reference of Air France’s identity – a precious heritage and an endless source of inspiration shaping innovation and the contemporary customer experience.

Tags: Air France  Concorde flight Dakar