Vintage Air France Concorde Serviceware

From one of the most iconic aircrafts in the history of aviation, we are pleased to offer a very limited supply of serviceware once used aboard Air France's fleet of super-sonic Concorde jets. Flying at over twice the speed of sound, the Concorde flew routes in less than half the time of regular airliners. With seating for only 92 to 128 passengers, Concorde took them to the edge of space at a cruising altitude of 56,000 feet. 

Developed and produced jointly by Air France and British Airways, a total of 20 Concorde jets were built in factories in Toulouse, France and Filton, England. First flown in 1969, the Concorde underwent rigorous testing for many years and began commercial supersonic service in 1976. The inaugural flights were a British Airways flight from London to Bahrain and an Air France flight from Paris to Rio. On the ground, Concorde measured 203 feet 9 inches in length but stretched by almost 10 inches in flight due to heating of the airframe. This high external temperature accounted for the excellent condition of the plane, as the corrosive effects of moisture in the air were significantly reduced.

The narrow, single-aisle aircraft seating four abreast, was outfitted with china and service pieces scaled to fit within the plane's small galley kitchen's limited space. The rimless coupe shape of service dishes maximized useable space on the plate while fitting into a smaller storage footprint while not in use. The striking design was conceived by French artist Jean Picart Le Doux, featuring a stylized version of Air France's famous flying hippocampe ailé (flying seahorse) logo surrounded by stars.

This seahorse, nicknamed 'The Prawn' and now associated with Air France, was adapted from the emblem of Air Orient, one five French airlines that merged in 1933 to become Air France. It combines the head of Pegasus, the horse of Greek mythology, and the tail of the dragon Annam to form the symbol of the relationship between Europe and the Far East. The striking porcelain dishes feature the original design by Jean Picart Le Doux. Produced in Limoges, while they were first used for Air France's Concorde service through the 1980s, the pattern was later expanded for use in the business and first class cabins of Air France's fleet until the 21st century. The coordinating woven napkins and dinner knives also feature this energetic logo.

On April 10, 2003, Air France and British Airways simultaneously announced that they would retire Concorde later that year. They cited low passenger numbers, an overall slump in air travel following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 and rising maintenance costs as reasons for grounding their iconic supersonic jets. Air France made its final commercial Concorde landing in the United States in New York City from Paris on May 30, 2003.  An auction of Concorde parts and memorabilia for Air France was held at Christie's in Paris on November 15, 2003 with 1,300 people attending and lots going for more than their pre-auction estimates.

Strictly limited quantities and subject to prior sale. Dinner Plate measures 7.5" in diameter. Side Plate measures 5.5" in diameter. Tray Cloth/Napkin measures approx 26" x 20". Knife measures 8"L . At time of listing a total of 8 entrée plates, 7 side plates, 8 napkins and 6 knives are available.