Doing business at the highest level

The cabins were recently given a refit

The demise of Concorde is not just sad news for British Airways, the crew and the passengers.

It also affects many businesses around the UK which supply the aircraft.

In truth, with BA operating only seven Concordes, it probably won't be a huge financial blow for many companies.

But there is a certain prestige about providing parts and services for the world's only supersonic aircraft.

Specially designed

From the Rolls-Royce engines to the cockpit windows supplied by Pilkington Aerospace, each component must be specially designed and made to withstand the pressures of travel at Mach 2.

Four years ago, the UK Concorde fleet underwent a £14m cabin refit.

Britax makes 5,000 seats a year

That included new seats, which are made in Cwmbran by Britax, which supplies more than half the world's first and business class seating.

A challenge with the new Concorde design was to reduce the weight by about 20%. That meant a reduction from 38 kg to 30kg.

The final result, finished in ink-blue leather, uses materials which make it much lighter - that translated to saving nearly £1m a year in fuel.

It can take between 12 and 14 months from the concept for a sear to actually getting it into production. They're not cheap, though - an average upmarket double seat can cost about £9,000.

Adam tries out a Concorde toilet

Britax also makes aircraft toilets. In Concorde's case, it is a notoriously narrow cubicle. The latest design Concorde lavatory was modelled on the bathroom of a top hotel.

Unfortunately it was never fitted, because the decision was made to take Concorde out of service.

One of the hallmarks of the flying by Concorde has always been the quality of service. In the early days the cutlery was stamped with a "C", to denote its uniqueness.

It was supplied by Staffordshire cutlery makers Arthur Price. The firm didn't see it as a massive money-spinner - the original order was worth about £90,000.

Concorde meals ready for boarding

But the knives, forks and spoons proved such a hit with souvenir hunters that British Airways had to keep replacing them.

Over five years, Arthur Price's contract was worth much nearer £500,000.

However, in the past couple of years even Concorde hasn't been exempt from new security measures, and plastic cutlery has been used instead of metal.

Guinea fowl

As for the food itself, when you're paying about £7,000 for a ticket, you're entitled to expect something a bit special.

That's why you'll find the kitchens at Gate Gourmet awash with lobster and guinea fowl and the like.

The company provides freshly prepared meals for the flights.

New meals are tested before being accepted

It draws on the experience of top chefs such as Michel Roux of the Waterside Inn, who has helped devise a lobster and tabbouleh salad.

"You've got the luxury of the lobster and you've got the healthy salad," says Gate Gourmet's menu development manager, Andy Sparrow.

"It looks very fresh and it tastes very appetising."

But prestigious though a Concorde contract might be, it can bring its own problems.

Constraints

"It can be a very difficult aircraft to cater," says Andy.

"You've got more constraints in terms of weight, stowage and service style.

"You've got 100 passengers there all expecting the same high standard of food.

"You could never do something like soup, which you could in first class. It's the sheer scale of it. You have 14 first class passengers - on Concorde we have 100."

Although some companies might have to cut jobs as Concorde contracts disappear, many would argue it has done them no harm having such a luxury brand on its client list.