Beauty in Flight: Concorde, an Icon of Design and Elegance

Beyond its technical performance, Concorde was a flying work of art, a model of design and elegance, both in its exterior silhouette and its interior layout. Its slender profile, delta wings, and droop nose gave it a futuristic yet timeless look, earning it the nickname “the white bird.”

Inside, Air France ensured that the experience lived up to the supersonic promise. From its entry into service, cabin design and tableware were enhanced by renowned designers.

Franco-American designer Raymond Loewy was the first to design Concorde’s cabin interior for Air France in 1976. The interior featured a warm harmony of light beiges and browns which, in the brilliant light of high altitudes, gave the cabin a modern elegance. Raymond Loewy also designed all the supersonic’s tableware. Original and functional, this complete tableware set represented a new step toward a simple aesthetic with clean lines.

In 1985 and then 1988, Pierre Gautier-Delaye introduced two new cabin atmospheres: first a palette of tulip red, blue, and beige, followed by a harmony of yellows and grays.

Then, in 1994, Andrée Putman, known as the “Ambassador of Style,” brought a highly contemporary and modern touch, completely rethinking the interior layout. She imagined seats topped with headrest covers, a black-and-white geometric-patterned carpet, and a delicately pleated corrugated cardboard meal tray.

Elegance also extended to staff uniforms. In 1976, the Jean Patou fashion house and its artistic director Angelo Tarlazzi created exclusive uniforms for Concorde flight attendants, featuring striped shirt dresses evoking the airline’s logo. In 1985, Nina Ricci designed new uniforms in slate blue, navy, or pearl gray crepe, harmonized with the redesigned interiors.

Concorde offered a complete sensory experience, where every detail contributed to an aura of prestige and refinement.