Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958
Joining the Mayor were Dale Moss, British Airways Executive Vice President of United States Sales and Marketing, Captain Mike Bannister of the Concorde Fleet and artist Peter Max.
"In celebrating the 21st anniversary of the Concorde and its amazing three hour trans-Atlantic flight time, it might help to remember that 200 years ago it took two months to cross the Atlantic Ocean," the Mayor said. "There is no doubt as to why engineers at British Airways call this plane the 'Rocket.' It is as close as you can get to space travel without being an astronaut.
"Along with the technical marvel of the Concorde, British Airways has been responsible for another great feat -- employing 1200 people in New York City. The company has been a responsible employer and neighbor in New York City. They understand the importance of providing jobs for the community, hiring people off the welfare rolls, hiring people with disabilities and giving people the tools necessary to take care of themselves and their families. All New Yorkers congratulate British Airways on its 21 years of Concorde service."
Over 21 years, the Concorde has flown nearly three million passengers between New York City's John Fitzgerald Kennedy (JFK) Airport and London's Heathrow, operating two round-trip flights daily. More than 1200 people in New York City are currently employed by British Airways, whose North American Headquarters is located in Jackson Heights, Queens and at JFK.
British Airways has always been a responsible employer in New York City, hiring former welfare recipients and people with disabilities. In this regard, the company has worked closely with Business Link, a division of the New York City Human Resources Administration; Strive, a nonprofit group based in Harlem and Rockaway; and Just One Break (JOB), a nonprofit advocacy group for people with disabilities.
The Ride the Rocket Exhibit boasts the largest collection of Concorde artifacts ever to tour the United States. A touring schedule of 22 cities served by British Airways begins in New York City today and finishes in Boston on October 17, 1998.
Visitors to the Exhibit will have the opportunity to virtually live the Concorde experience, hearing a Concorde crew prepare for takeoff and taking in the view of the earth's curve at 60,000 feet from authentic Concorde windows. An interactive history of the plane is available, along with a simulated view of the interior of the Concorde, which seats 100. Among other artifacts is a special gravity suit worn by the first Concorde pilot. Historic photos and illustrations of Concorde's design are also on display, including phots of the Olympus 593 engines.
In each tour city, 100 people will be given the opportunity to participate in a drawing for two round-trip tickets on the Concorde and a four-day stay in London in November. British Airways is also sponsoring a Best-Dressed Space Travelers contest, with 50 winners from each city receiving a pair of round-trip tickets to London on British Airways World Traveler economy class.
With a Concorde balloon hovering above, the Exhibit is housed in a 75,000 pound truck that is 70 feet long and 30 feet across. The vehicle provides more than 800 square feet of wheel-chair accessible floor space.
Registering a speed known as MACH 2, twice the speed of sound - 1350 miles per hour - the Concorde is the fastest civilian passenger aircraft on earth. It cruises at 60,000 feet.