I toured a Concorde, the discontinued supersonic commercial jet flown by celebrities and royals. Take a look inside.

A Concorde plane at the Intrepid Museum.

NekomuraKatsuo/Getty Images Concorde, the first and only supersonic commercial jetliner, operated from 1976 to 2003.

Flown by royals, celebrities, and executives, it was discontinued because of high operating costs.

A Concorde plane is open for public tours at the Intrepid Museum in New York City.

Supersonic passenger air travel is a thing of the past, but you can still tour the plane that made it possible.

In 1962, the governments of Britain and France signed the Anglo-French Agreement, pooling their money and resources to develop a supersonic commercial jet .

The name "Concorde" was chosen because it means unity or harmony in both English and French.

The first test flight was conducted in 1969, and Concorde flew commercially for the first time in 1976.

Concorde's ability to cross oceans at twice the speed of sound attracted high-profile passengers, including celebrities, business executives, and members of the royal family.

But its high operating costs and a deadly crash led to its retirement in 2003.

Modern aviation startups are working to revive supersonic passenger air travel with new technology, but they also face challenges around economic viability and safety.

Since Concorde jets are no longer operational, the planes have become museum pieces, providing visitors with a taste of the luxurious flight experiences they once provided.

In May 2024, I toured a Concorde jet at the Intrepid Museum in New York City.

The sea, air, and space museum is housed on a 900-foot-long aircraft carrier.