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American Morning

End of an Era For Well-Heeled Travelers

Aired October 24, 2003 - 07:23   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.


JACK CAFFERTY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: After 27 years of luxury in the air, it's the end of an era for well-heeled travelers. Minutes ago, the Concorde pushed back from the gate on its final flight, set to begin in about 20 minutes.
CNN's Richard Quest, who always gets the tough assignments, is aboard and just before he took his seat, he filed this report.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RICHARD QUEST, CNN CORRESPONDENT: What a shame, Jack, you weren't able to come with us on the last supersonic trip. The champagne, the canapes, bitter smoked salmon for you, and there she is, Concorde, speed bird, 002. We will cross the Atlantic in round about three and a quarter hours and history will be made. The last time that there will be commercial supersonic transportation.

And it'll be many years before any form of transport like this is introduced again. The economics, recession, it's simply not hip these days to be seen on board Concorde.

Well, whatever. When all is said and done, the celebrities, the CEOs will all just have to find another way of getting across the Atlantic. For the time being, though, you win some, Jack, you lose some.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CAFFERTY: The person sitting next to him will wish the plane went faster.

The Concorde expected to land in London about 11:00 Eastern.

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 - 07:23   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: After 27 years of luxury in the air, it's the end of an era for well-heeled travelers. Minutes ago, the Concorde pushed back from the gate on its final flight, set to begin in about 20 minutes.
CNN's Richard Quest, who always gets the tough assignments, is aboard and just before he took his seat, he filed this report.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RICHARD QUEST, CNN CORRESPONDENT: What a shame, Jack, you weren't able to come with us on the last supersonic trip. The champagne, the canapes, bitter smoked salmon for you, and there she is, Concorde, speed bird, 002. We will cross the Atlantic in round about three and a quarter hours and history will be made. The last time that there will be commercial supersonic transportation.

And it'll be many years before any form of transport like this is introduced again. The economics, recession, it's simply not hip these days to be seen on board Concorde.

Well, whatever. When all is said and done, the celebrities, the CEOs will all just have to find another way of getting across the Atlantic. For the time being, though, you win some, Jack, you lose some.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CAFFERTY: The person sitting next to him will wish the plane went faster.

The Concorde expected to land in London about 11:00 Eastern.

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