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Why Concorde had a narrow cabin: Structural choices behind the iconic airliner's design

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Why Concorde had a narrow cabin: Structural choices behind the iconic airliner's design
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Concorde | Wikipedia

Concorde, the Anglo-French supersonic airliner, offered a unique travel experience for nearly three decades before its retirement in 2003. It was designed to fly at supersonic speeds, with features such as sharp delta wings and four afterburning engines setting it apart from other commercial aircraft.

The narrow cabin of Concorde was a structural necessity rather than a design compromise. Its long and slender fuselage, just over nine feet wide, accommodated a single aisle and four-abreast seating. This configuration helped minimize drag and maintain speed efficiency at Mach 2. The aircraft also flew at 60,000 feet, requiring a reinforced pressure vessel due to the extreme pressure differential.

The small windows on Concorde were similarly designed to enhance safety during high-speed flight by reducing potential breaches in case of sudden decompression. This approach minimized stress on the structure while maintaining weight limits.

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Developed through an Anglo-French treaty in 1962 between British Aircraft Corporation and France's Sud Aviation (later Aerospatiale), Concorde entered service in 1976 with British Airways and Air France. Despite initial excitement and orders from 18 airlines worldwide, only these two carriers ultimately operated the aircraft.

Supersonic ambitions are resurging two decades after Concorde's retirement. Companies like Boom Supersonic are developing new models like Overture, which promises improved efficiency and quieter engines without using afterburners. Other firms such as Fly-Concorde and Spike Aerospace are also working on next-generation supersonic jets.

While modern designs aim to address Concorde's limitations in fuel efficiency and noise levels, their success remains uncertain as they strive for commercial viability.

Organizations Included in this History
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