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CNN Live Today

Concorde Ends 27 Years of Service

Aired October 24, 2003 - 11:35   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: We're going back to Heathrow Airport, to London. The last flight of the Concorde. The plane that took off from JFK was carrying our own Richard quest.
And I understand, Richard, we have you on the phone now.

RICHARD QUEST, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello. Good afternoon to you, Daryn.

We landed a short time ago here at London's Heathrow Airport, and there were tens of thousands of people all around the end of the runway. What a journey it was, Daryn. I mean it was like no other flight I have ever taken, and not only because so many of us reporters were able to do filming and pieces, (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and writing, but the party atmosphere, Daryn, it was absolutely extraordinary. Lots of emotion as we came in over London, stunning view of the British capital. And then, do you know something? Like all good things, it was over too soon. Just people have got tears in their eyes, Daryn. It may sound silly, it's a plane after all, but frankly, the emotion has been overwhelming on board.

KAGAN: Richard, I don't think I ever heard you whisper.

QUEST: Well, I'm whispering, Daryn, because -- everyone got quiet around me, because basically, it's only those reporters, myself and a colleague from another network, who are actually doing talking at the moment. I can turn the volume up a bit if you would like, if you like, if you would prefer.

KAGAN: Oh, no, we can hear you just fine. I just thought this as a first, to hear Richard Quest whisper, especially on such a momentous day. Now tell me exactly, we saw this videotape before you left kind of rubbing elbows with Christy Brinkley and some other stars on board.

QUEST: Indeed. The front cabin of the Concorde, there was Christy Brinkley, there was Joan Collins, there was Lord Marshall. There were lots of those sorts of dignitaries, Sir David Frost, the television interviewer, he's also on board.

And what is interesting about this sort of event, Daryn, is that really everybody is equal. So we were able to go up to these people, people it's quite difficult normally to get up to Joan Collins and have a chit-chat with her over a glass of chableau (ph), but there she was with her husband. She's still on board, her and her husband, and they were chatting along with everybody else. For the staff, one of the flight attendants who has been on Concorde for 27 years, she has, you know -- it was an emotional day she said as this finally came in, but particularly when we left New York, Daryn, because there we had the staff at Kennedy Airport waiving us goodbye, knowing they wouldn't see Concorde again.

By the way, I have to tell you, the food was excellent. The smoked salmon was a treat, the caviar was perfect, and The steak done to a turn.

KAGAN: Now what about the stuff? I saw you trying to get Christy Brinkley a souvenirs. She wouldn't come close to giving them to you.

QUEST: Well, in a few moments, I'll be off this plane. We are about to be towed to the hangar where there is going to be a party, and I'll show you my bag of swag. If you're really good and really nice, I might even give you a Concorde napkin ring.

KAGAN: Very good. Well, we look forward to that. We'll let you park the plane and take your loot, and we look forward to seeing you. I would like a little souvenir from the Concorde.

QUEST: Well, I have got -- I can't shop (UNINTELLIGIBLE), but I have a couple of blankets, some of those nice safety cards that you get, the menu, the napkin rings. I have got a whole load of things. I could make a fortune on eBay with this.

KAGAN: Perhaps you will. We'll see you in just a minute when we get you in front of the camera all right, Richard.

QUEST: Thanks very much.

KAGAN: Very good.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com






Aired October 24, 2003 - 11:35   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: We're going back to Heathrow Airport, to London. The last flight of the Concorde. The plane that took off from JFK was carrying our own Richard quest.
And I understand, Richard, we have you on the phone now.

RICHARD QUEST, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello. Good afternoon to you, Daryn.

We landed a short time ago here at London's Heathrow Airport, and there were tens of thousands of people all around the end of the runway. What a journey it was, Daryn. I mean it was like no other flight I have ever taken, and not only because so many of us reporters were able to do filming and pieces, (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and writing, but the party atmosphere, Daryn, it was absolutely extraordinary. Lots of emotion as we came in over London, stunning view of the British capital. And then, do you know something? Like all good things, it was over too soon. Just people have got tears in their eyes, Daryn. It may sound silly, it's a plane after all, but frankly, the emotion has been overwhelming on board.

KAGAN: Richard, I don't think I ever heard you whisper.

QUEST: Well, I'm whispering, Daryn, because -- everyone got quiet around me, because basically, it's only those reporters, myself and a colleague from another network, who are actually doing talking at the moment. I can turn the volume up a bit if you would like, if you like, if you would prefer.

KAGAN: Oh, no, we can hear you just fine. I just thought this as a first, to hear Richard Quest whisper, especially on such a momentous day. Now tell me exactly, we saw this videotape before you left kind of rubbing elbows with Christy Brinkley and some other stars on board.

QUEST: Indeed. The front cabin of the Concorde, there was Christy Brinkley, there was Joan Collins, there was Lord Marshall. There were lots of those sorts of dignitaries, Sir David Frost, the television interviewer, he's also on board.

And what is interesting about this sort of event, Daryn, is that really everybody is equal. So we were able to go up to these people, people it's quite difficult normally to get up to Joan Collins and have a chit-chat with her over a glass of chableau (ph), but there she was with her husband. She's still on board, her and her husband, and they were chatting along with everybody else. For the staff, one of the flight attendants who has been on Concorde for 27 years, she has, you know -- it was an emotional day she said as this finally came in, but particularly when we left New York, Daryn, because there we had the staff at Kennedy Airport waiving us goodbye, knowing they wouldn't see Concorde again.

By the way, I have to tell you, the food was excellent. The smoked salmon was a treat, the caviar was perfect, and The steak done to a turn.

KAGAN: Now what about the stuff? I saw you trying to get Christy Brinkley a souvenirs. She wouldn't come close to giving them to you.

QUEST: Well, in a few moments, I'll be off this plane. We are about to be towed to the hangar where there is going to be a party, and I'll show you my bag of swag. If you're really good and really nice, I might even give you a Concorde napkin ring.

KAGAN: Very good. Well, we look forward to that. We'll let you park the plane and take your loot, and we look forward to seeing you. I would like a little souvenir from the Concorde.

QUEST: Well, I have got -- I can't shop (UNINTELLIGIBLE), but I have a couple of blankets, some of those nice safety cards that you get, the menu, the napkin rings. I have got a whole load of things. I could make a fortune on eBay with this.

KAGAN: Perhaps you will. We'll see you in just a minute when we get you in front of the camera all right, Richard.

QUEST: Thanks very much.

KAGAN: Very good.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com