sky9, the reason that Concorde did not make it commercially is the sonic boom. That is also one of the main reasons why no new SST has been developed.
If Richard Branson wants the "keys", let him have them but the only flight it would make in Virgin colours was to Duxford, unless of course he would expect BA to give him the spares, engineers and pilots for nothing.
He is saying nothing of the sort! He wants to be given a price, so that he can make a business case. depending upon the price of hardware and staff and ongoing manufacturer support, he could then see if he could make it work.
Mr Branson doesn't want the aircraft he wants publicity. BA should suggest that he "puts up" or "shuts up". What they should do is offer it to him from Monday next.
Well, that is impractical for a dozen reasons. To the matter of publicity, I recall him saying on a number of occasions, once when I was in an auidence, "I have done many of the antics to get publicity for my companies. Paid-for corporate advertising is very expensive. When we started the airline - we had no spare money, so I did things that I knew the press would follow. The balooning and Atlantic Ribbon events - those were for me - although company publicity was still a spin-off."
I do not work for any Branson company, nor ever have, I am simply a satisfied customer. I have no doubt that if you examined mistakes and poor staff relations, Branson would have as many bad marks as any company chairman. For example, have you any idea what Big Airways did to him? They had already colluded in putting Laker out of business and nearly did the same to Branson.
Running the risk of the moderator saying "Attack the issue, not the person" ... Since you have attacked Branson as a person, I ask: Why are you so against Branson? What has he done to you for this repulsive language about him?
If Branson gets a deal (and I doubt that he will) would you be cross that he had saved jobs and was providing a service that people are prepared to pay for?
I am tempted to suggest that you "puts up" or "shuts up".