Air France is commemorating the 50th anniversary of Concorde’s first commercial service, operated on 21 January 1976 between Paris, Dakar and Rio de Janeiro. To mark the milestone, the airline is celebrating one of the most iconic chapters in its history and a defining symbol of French aviation excellence.
The inaugural flight, operated by Concorde F-BVFA, departed at 12:40 and reached Rio de Janeiro in just 7 hours and 26 minutes, ushering in Air France’s supersonic era that would last until 2003. Flying at around 60,000 feet and at speeds of Mach 2.02, Concorde offered passengers a unique experience, including views of the Earth’s curved horizon.
With a capacity of 100 seats and its instantly recognisable design, Concorde became a global technological and cultural icon, showcasing Franco-British aeronautical expertise and innovation. Its legacy continues to shape Air France’s identity and inspiration today.
To honour the anniversary, Air France will launch an exclusive Concorde-inspired merchandise collection on shopping.airfrance.com. In addition, a special documentary retracing the aircraft’s history will premiere on the airline’s YouTube channel on 21 January 2026 at 07:00.