Concorde that had been retired and parked for a decade suddenly made a very rare and discreet return to the runway
Published on Sep 25, 2026 at 6:35 PM (UTC+4)
by Ben Thompson
Last updated on Sep 25, 2026 at 6:35 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Mason Jones
A Concorde that had been parked for a decade got to make a return to the runway in a rather discreet way.
Concorde G-BOAB has been under the care and ownership of British Airways ever since the airliner was retired back in 2003.
In the two decades since, it’s led a largely stationary life and has been kept on hold at Heathrow Airport in London.
But then there was a sign of life, when social media images showed it being towed across the taxiway for the first time since 2015.
The Concorde has a legacy like no other plane out there
Few planes evoke feelings of nostalgia quite like the Concorde.
In the years since its retirement, there’s been increasing reminiscing online.
Whether it’s Air France employees sharing their memories or a pilot for British Airways reflecting, it’s clear that a lot of people miss this supersonic jet.
So it’s easy to see why sightings of Concordes generate such a buzz online.
This was the first time this plane had been out on the runway in a decade
Concorde G-BOAB never returned to flight after Concorde’s upgrades and refits following the Paris crash in 2000.
G-BOAB was used as a testbed for the new interiors, and following Concorde’s 2003 retirement, it was left at Heathrow as an empty shell.
In the years since, it’s led a practically dormant life.
Besides being towed across the taxiway in November 2015, it’s been seldom seen.
So that made it all the more exciting when videos of it in motion made their way onto social media.
In an image shared online on May 24th, 2025, a member of the Heritage Concorde group showed the plane being moved.
This led to many commenting that the plane was being moved ahead of an engineer and families day at the airport.
Regardless, it’s nice to see it out in the open air again.
It’s just a shame that it won’t be taking to the air any time soon.
People have some ideas about what to do with the G-BOAB
There have been various plans to get G-BOAB on display in a more permanent location.
One plan involved the iconic aircraft being plinthed on the River Thames near the preserved Royal Navy ship HMS Belfast.
However, to the present day, none of these plans have panned out.
Here’s hoping that the G-BOAB returns to its place in the sky one day.
But we won’t hold our breath on that being any time soon.
Timeline of Concorde
1956: UK and France begin discussions for a supersonic passenger aircraft.
1962: Official Anglo-French treaty signed to develop a supersonic jet together.
1969: First prototype takes flight in Toulouse.
1973: The plane hits Mach 2 for the first time during testing.
1976: First commercial flights launch with British Airways and Air France.
1985: Used for transatlantic VIP trips and iconic charters.
1996: Fastest transatlantic crossing set—New York to London in 2h 52m.
2003: Final commercial flight marks the end of supersonic travel…for now.
Ben joined Supercar Blondie in February 2025 after being published by international organizations including LADbible, The Sun, the New York Post, and the Daily Mail. He covers supercars, rare and collectible vehicles, aviation, luxury assets, and the fascinating people behind them. His reporting has explored everything from seven-figure supercars and historic Ferrari collections to unusual aircraft adventures and extraordinary automotive discoveries from around the world. Ben has also gained first-hand insight into vehicle craftsmanship and customization, including visiting specialist workshops to see bespoke vehicles up close.
