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Concorde G-BOAC — the flagship of the British Airways fleet — is permanently displayed at Manchester Airport's Runway Visitor Park. It is one of only seven British Airways Concordes preserved worldwide, and arguably the most accessible for visitors, with guided tours that let you walk through the cabin, explore the cockpit, and even sit in the pilot's seat. Whether you are an aviation enthusiast, planning a family day out, or looking for a unique experience near Manchester, this guide covers everything you need to know about visiting the Concorde at Manchester Airport in 2026.
About Concorde G-BOAC at Manchester Airport
The Concorde housed at Manchester Airport is G-BOAC, production number 204, affectionately known as "Alpha Charlie". She holds a special status within the Concorde fleet — her registration letters G-BOAC happen to be the initials of British Overseas Airways Corporation, the predecessor airline to British Airways. Because of this meaningful coincidence, BA always considered Alpha Charlie to be the flagship of the entire Concorde fleet.
G-BOAC first flew on 27 February 1975 from Filton, near Bristol, and was delivered to British Airways on 13 February 1976. Over 27 years of commercial service, she accumulated 22,260 flying hours and made 7,730 landings. Alpha Charlie was the aircraft chosen to launch the prestigious Washington service on 26 May 1976, making her the first Concorde in commercial service to land in the United States. On 19 December 1985, she recorded the highest ground speed ever achieved by a commercial airliner — a staggering 1,488 mph. In September 1975, she also became the first aircraft to complete four Atlantic crossings in a single day.
G-BOAC's final revenue flight took place on 18 October 2003. Her very last flight was the retirement flight from London Heathrow to Manchester Airport on 31 October 2003, under flight number BA9020C. On the flight deck that day were Captain Paul Douglas, Captain Mike Bannister, Engineering Flight Officer Robert Woodcock, and Engineering Flight Officer Trevor Norcutt.
Why Manchester?
When British Airways announced Concorde's retirement in 2003, airports, museums, and private collectors from around the world submitted bids to house the aircraft. Manchester Airport's bid stood out because of its existing Aviation Viewing Park, strong community support from local universities, museums, and industry, and a powerful historical connection — Manchester had hosted more Concorde operations than any other UK airport outside Heathrow. BA awarded the flagship G-BOAC to Manchester, and a purpose-built hangar was completed in 2004. The Concorde was officially opened to the public on 6 April 2004.
Concorde Tour Options & Tickets
There are three guided tour options available for visitors who want to get up close to Concorde at Manchester Airport. All tours must be pre-booked online through the Runway Visitor Park website — walk-up tours are not available. Tours do not run daily, and availability is limited, so booking slots can sell out quickly, particularly during school holidays and weekends.
Classic Tour — From £16 per person
The Classic Tour lasts approximately 30 minutes and provides a guided walk through Concorde's cabin interior, with commentary on the aircraft's history, design, and famous passengers. The tour includes a visit to the cockpit area. This is the most popular option for families and first-time visitors.
Technical Tour — From £28 per person
The Technical Tour lasts approximately 60 minutes and is designed for aviation enthusiasts who want a deeper understanding of Concorde's engineering. A knowledgeable guide leads you on a full tour beneath the aircraft, explaining the supersonic technology, before taking you through the cabin and into the cockpit. The Technical Tour is the only option where you can sit in the pilot's seat and explore the flight deck controls in detail — this is a unique feature not available at any other British Concorde display.
Platinum Tour — From £35 per person
The Platinum Tour is the most comprehensive experience, lasting approximately 90 minutes. It includes everything in the Technical Tour, plus a walk under the wings, a demonstration of Concorde's famous droop nose mechanism (which pilots used during takeoff and landing), a complimentary glass of champagne or orange juice, and a keepsake photo in the cockpit. Groups are kept small for a highly personalised experience. Free parking is included with the Platinum Tour.
Booking Tips
Book early. Concorde tours are extremely popular and often sell out weeks in advance, especially during summer and school holidays. Check the Runway Visitor Park booking page regularly for new dates. Combined tickets are also available if you want to add a tour of the RAF Nimrod aircraft (from £15pp) — a Concorde Technical Tour plus Nimrod combo costs from £34pp.
Concorde Hangar & Conference Centre
Concorde G-BOAC is housed in a purpose-built hangar at the Runway Visitor Park, which doubles as the Concorde Conference Centre — a unique event venue managed by Manchester Central Convention Complex. The hangar features glass-walled ends that allow views of the runway, biomass heating fuelled by willow grown on the airport site, solar panels, and a rainwater harvesting system.
The venue is available for conferences, product launches, gala dinners, weddings, and exhibitions. Yes — you can actually get married on board Concorde at Manchester Airport. Events are held directly beneath the wings of the aircraft, with the hangar accommodating a range of layouts from small boardroom meetings (up to 50 in the Alpha Charlie Suite) to large gala dinners under the aircraft. For conference enquiries, contact [email protected] or visit the Concorde Conference Centre page.
Concorde Technical Specifications
For aviation enthusiasts, here are the key technical details of the Concorde aircraft — and specifically G-BOAC — that you will learn about during the tours at Manchester Airport.
- Aircraft Type: Aérospatiale/BAC Concorde — a turbojet-powered supersonic passenger airliner, jointly developed and manufactured by British Aircraft Corporation (BAC) and Sud Aviation (later Aérospatiale) of France.
- Registration: G-BOAC (production number 204). Known as "Alpha Charlie" — the flagship of the British Airways Concorde fleet.
- Maximum Speed: Mach 2.04 (approximately 1,354 mph at cruising altitude). G-BOAC recorded a ground speed of 1,488 mph on 19 December 1985 — the fastest ever by a commercial airliner.
- Cruising Altitude: 60,000 feet — more than twice the altitude of conventional commercial aircraft. At this height, passengers could see the curvature of the Earth and the dark blue of the upper atmosphere.
- Engines: Four Rolls-Royce/Snecma Olympus 593 turbojet engines, each producing 38,050 lbf of thrust with afterburner.
- Seating Configuration: 100 seats in a 2–2 layout across a narrow cabin approximately 8 feet 7 inches wide. Despite the compact interior, Concorde was fitted with premium Connolly leather seats and served champagne-led in-flight catering that rivalled the finest first-class products.
- Range: Approximately 3,900 nautical miles (4,500 miles). London to New York took approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes — less than half the time of a conventional subsonic flight.
- Droop Nose: Concorde's needle-shaped nose could be lowered by 5° for takeoff and 12.5° for landing, giving pilots adequate forward visibility despite the aircraft's high angle of attack at low speeds. The nose droop demonstration is included on the Platinum Tour.
- Windows: Concorde's windows were notably small — a deliberate design choice to minimise depressurisation risk at 60,000 feet.
- First Flight (G-BOAC): 27 February 1975 from Filton. Delivered to British Airways on 13 February 1976.
- Total Flying Hours: 22,260 hours across 7,730 landings over 27 years of service (1976–2003).
- Final Flight: 31 October 2003, London Heathrow to Manchester Airport (flight BA9020C).
Runway Visitor Park — Visitor Information
The Concorde is located at the Runway Visitor Park, which sits alongside the active runways of Manchester Airport. The park is a separate site from the main airport terminals and is accessed via a different road. In addition to the Concorde, the park is home to four other retired aircraft — an RAF Nimrod MR2, a Monarch DC-10, an Avro RJX, and a Hawker Siddeley Trident. There are also raised viewing platforms with excellent views of aircraft taking off and landing, a café, an aviation gift shop, a children's play area, and picnic areas.
Opening Hours
The Runway Visitor Park is open daily, year-round. Opening hours vary by season:
- January – February: Park 8am–4pm | Café 8am–3:30pm | Shop 9am–3pm
- March: Park 8am–5pm | Café 8am–4:30pm | Shop 9am–4pm
- April: Park 8am–6pm | Café 8am–5:30pm | Shop 9am–5pm
- May: Park 8am–7pm | Café 8am–6pm | Shop 9am–6pm
- June – August: Park 8am–8pm | Café 8am–6pm | Shop 9am–6pm
- September: Park 8am–6pm | Café 8am–5:30pm | Shop 9am–5pm
- October: Park 8am–5pm | Café 8am–4:30pm | Shop 9am–4pm
- November – December: Park 8am–4pm | Café 8am–3:30pm | Shop 9am–3pm
Admission & Parking
Admission to the Runway Visitor Park is free. You only pay for parking and for any tours you choose to book. Parking charges (card payment only — no cash accepted) are as follows:
- Up to 2 hours: £6
- 2 to 4 hours: £12
- Over 4 hours: £15
- Coach parking: £15 flat rate
Parking is free for Concorde Platinum Tour ticket holders and conference delegates. Visitors arriving by public transport, on foot, or by bicycle (not motorbike) get free admission with no parking charge. Guide and assistance dogs are welcome, but other dogs are not permitted.
How to Get to the Runway Visitor Park
Getting There
- Address: Runway Visitor Park, Sunbank Lane, Altrincham WA15 8XQ
- By Car: From the M56, exit at Junction 6 and follow the A538 towards Wilmslow. After approximately 500 metres, turn left into Sunbank Lane. At the T-junction, turn right onto Wilmslow Old Road and follow it to the Runway Visitor Park gates.
- Sat Nav: Use postcode WA15 8XQ or search for "Runway Visitor Park".
- By Train/Tram: Manchester Airport railway station is approximately 3 miles from the park. From the station, you can take a taxi (around £8–10) or walk (approximately 1 hour along a 2.7-mile route).
- By Bus: A public bus connects Manchester Airport to the Runway Visitor Park, but the service runs approximately once per hour. Check timetables in advance.
- By Taxi from Manchester City Centre: A taxi from central Manchester costs approximately £20–25 and takes around 25–30 minutes depending on traffic.
Other Aircraft at the Runway Visitor Park
While the Concorde is the star attraction, the Runway Visitor Park is home to four additional retired aircraft that you can explore alongside your visit:
- RAF Nimrod MR2 XV231: A specialist search and rescue aircraft that saw active service in the Falklands, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Nimrod arrived at the park in April 2010 after its final flight. Guided Nimrod tours are available (from £15pp) and can be combined with a Concorde tour at a discounted rate.
- Hawker Siddeley Trident 3B (G-AWZK): A fully restored 1960s/70s-era jet airliner that was the first aircraft to make a fully automated approach and landing. With 23,000 flying hours logged, the Trident has been at the park since 2003 and offers a fascinating glimpse of vintage air travel.
- Avro RJX: A regional jet that was the first aircraft displayed at the park. Visitors can explore the interior of this aircraft freely (no tour booking required).
- Monarch DC-10: A wide-body trijet that served with the Monarch Airlines fleet. Located near the coach parking area at the entrance to the park.
What Else Can You Do at the Runway Visitor Park?
Beyond the aircraft, the Runway Visitor Park offers a full day-out experience for families and aviation enthusiasts alike:
- Plane Spotting: The park's raised viewing platforms sit right next to the active runway, offering some of the best aircraft spotting views in the UK. You can watch A380s, 787 Dreamliners, and dozens of other aircraft types take off and land just metres away. At weekends, a live commentary system provides information about each flight.
- RVP Café: A café and restaurant with views of the runway, serving hot and cold food, drinks, and snacks throughout the day.
- The Aviation Shop: A specialist gift shop selling aircraft models, aviation books, souvenirs, and memorabilia — from children's toys to serious collector-grade items.
- Children's Play Area: An outdoor play area and, on peak days, additional rides and amusements.
- Flight Simulator: A full-motion fighter plane flight simulator with 360-degree rotation (height restriction: 1.2 metres).
- Picnic Area: Bring your own food and enjoy it in the large outdoor picnic area with views across the airfield.
- Educational Tours: School and group educational programmes are available, covering airport operations, aviation careers, and STEM subjects. Contact [email protected] for details.
History of Concorde at Manchester Airport
Manchester Airport has a longer and deeper connection to Concorde than many people realise. Long before G-BOAC arrived for permanent display, Concorde was a regular visitor to Manchester — the airport hosted more Concorde operations than any other UK airfield outside Heathrow.
The story of how G-BOAC ended up at Manchester begins in April 2003, when British Airways and Air France jointly announced the permanent retirement of the Concorde fleet. Within hours of the announcement, Manchester Airport's Airfield General Manager wrote a formal letter to BA expressing the airport's interest in acquiring an aircraft. The bid was supported by Manchester and Salford universities, local schools and colleges, the Museum of Science and Industry, Marketing Manchester, the City Council, BAE Systems, and numerous aerospace companies across the North West.
After months of waiting and uncertainty — with bids arriving from museums, airports, and wealthy individuals around the world — BA called Manchester to deliver the news: G-BOAC, the flagship itself, would be coming to Manchester. Contracts were signed at BA's Waterside headquarters, and the Concorde fleet's farewell tour included a stop at Manchester before G-BOAC made her final flight on 31 October 2003.
A purpose-built hangar was constructed around the aircraft at the Runway Visitor Park. The building features a PVC-covered steel structure with glazed gable ends, designed by architectural firm AHR. It incorporates sustainable features including biomass heating, solar panels, and rainwater harvesting. The hangar also houses a visitor centre, education facility, retail space, and the conference and events suite. The Concorde was officially opened to the public on 6 April 2004, and has since become one of the most popular aviation attractions in the North of England.
Frequently Asked Questions About Concorde at Manchester Airport
Can you visit the Concorde at Manchester Airport?
Yes. Concorde G-BOAC is on permanent display at the Runway Visitor Park next to Manchester Airport. You can view the aircraft from the outside for free, but to go inside the cabin and cockpit you need to book a guided tour in advance. Tours start from £16 per person for the Classic Tour, with Technical (£28pp) and Platinum (£35pp) options also available. Book online at runwayvisitorpark.co.uk.
How much does a Concorde tour at Manchester Airport cost?
There are three tour options: the Classic Tour from £16 per person (approximately 30 minutes), the Technical Tour from £28 per person (approximately 60 minutes with extended cockpit access), and the Platinum Tour from £35 per person (approximately 90 minutes with champagne, nose droop demo, and keepsake photo). Combined Concorde + Nimrod tour tickets are also available at a discounted rate.
Which Concorde is at Manchester Airport?
The Concorde at Manchester Airport is G-BOAC (production number 204), known as "Alpha Charlie". She was the flagship of the British Airways Concorde fleet — her registration letters BOAC are the initials of British Overseas Airways Corporation, the predecessor airline to BA. G-BOAC flew 22,260 hours and made 7,730 landings over 27 years of service before her retirement flight to Manchester on 31 October 2003.
Where is the Concorde at Manchester Airport?
The Concorde is housed in a purpose-built hangar at the Runway Visitor Park, Sunbank Lane, Altrincham WA15 8XQ. This is a separate site from the main airport terminals. By car, exit the M56 at Junction 6 and follow the A538 towards Wilmslow, then turn left into Sunbank Lane. The park is approximately 3 miles from Manchester Airport railway station. For full directions, see our driving directions guide.
Do I need to book a Concorde tour in advance?
Yes. Pre-booking is essential for all Concorde tours. Tours do not run daily and availability is limited — slots often sell out weeks ahead, particularly in summer and during school holidays. Walk-up tours are not available. Book online through the Runway Visitor Park website.
Can you sit in the cockpit of the Concorde at Manchester?
Yes — and this is unique to Manchester. G-BOAC is the only British production Concorde where visitors are allowed to sit in the pilot's seat and touch the flight deck controls. This experience is included on the Technical Tour (from £28pp) and Platinum Tour (from £35pp). The Classic Tour includes a cockpit viewing area but does not include sitting in the pilot's seat.
What are the Runway Visitor Park opening hours?
The park is open daily year-round. Hours vary by season: 8am–4pm in winter (November–February), extending to 8am–8pm in peak summer (June–August). Admission to the park itself is free — you only pay for parking (from £6 for up to 2 hours, card payment only) and for any tours. For the full seasonal timetable, see the opening hours page.
How did the Concorde end up at Manchester Airport?
When BA announced Concorde's retirement in 2003, Manchester Airport submitted a formal bid backed by local universities, museums, industry partners, and the city council. Manchester's strong historical connection to Concorde — having hosted more Concorde operations than any UK airport outside Heathrow — helped win the bid. BA awarded G-BOAC, the fleet flagship, to Manchester. The aircraft made her final flight from Heathrow on 31 October 2003 and was officially opened to the public in a new purpose-built hangar on 6 April 2004.