Hurled through Time and Space: Episode 2: Concorde Lounge - Heathrow Airport - London - 1988

The Concorde experience begins long before takeoff, in the special lounge for Concorde passengers at Heathrow Airport, London.

Very spacious, and with conversation groups of overstuffed furniture and marble-topped tables, the focal point of the lounge was a buffet about 12 ft long along one wall. The buffet was laden with fruit juices in crystal pitchers, steaming coffee and pots of tea ready for Wedgewood cups and saucers. Open bottles of champagne and wine stood in ice buckets, and every conceivable call-brand of spirits and beer, including after-dinner cordials, awaited our selection.

It was early in the morning, so Diane elected to have coffee.

Copious amounts of croissants and sweet pastries snuggled into lace doilies, and bagles and toast, ready for top-of-the-line jellies and jams, tempted us.

Given the early hour, we resisted the amazing variety of alcoholic beverages and, both having finally freed ourselves from old devil nicotine, the various brands of cigarettes adorning end tables. We appreciated, however, the selection of daily newspapers from major cities around the world.

Next post: Boarding the Concorde.