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One sheet This iconic poster commemorates the historic start of
British Airways Concorde service to the United States. While the poster mentions May 25, the inaugural transatlantic flights actually began on May 24, 1976.
The specific date on the poster, May 25, refers to the first return flight from Washington Dulles (IAD) back to London Heathrow (LHR), which took place the day after the initial arrival.
Historical Context
The Launch: On May 24, 1976, two Concordes—one from British Airways and one from Air France—landed simultaneously at Washington Dulles. This was a major diplomatic and technical milestone, as the aircraft had previously been banned from U.S. airports due to noise concerns.
Travel Time: The Concorde cut the travel time between London and Washington D.C. down to approximately 3 hours and 50 minutes, which was roughly half the time of a standard subsonic jet.
The Aircraft: The first British Airways flight to Washington was operated by aircraft G-BOAC (known as "Alpha Charlie").
Poster Design
This vintage advertisement is a classic example of 1970s aviation marketing. It features:
The Livery: The "Negus" livery, used by British Airways from 1974 to 1980, characterized by the red-topped tail fin with a stylized Union Jack.
Minimalist Aesthetic: The deep blue background and simple typography emphasize the futuristic, sleek silhouette of the supersonic jet. |
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