The Concorde was famously the loudest commercial airliner ever operated, producing a deafening 119 to 125 decibels (dB) during its takeoff roll and initial climb. For context, 120 dB is the "threshold of pain" for the human ear and is equivalent to standing next to a loud thunderclap or a chainsaw. The intense noise was primarily caused by its four massive Rolls-Royce/Snecma Olympus 593 turbojet engines, which required afterburners (reheat) to generate enough thrust for takeoff. This sonic footprint was so powerful that it frequently set off car alarms in parking lots near JFK and Heathrow airports. In 2026, aviation historians note that this extreme noise pollution was a major factor in the Concorde being banned from supersonic flight over land and restricted to specific "noise-abatement" runways. While modern jets like the Airbus A350 take off at around 85–90 dB, the Concorde’s roar remains a legendary, albeit disruptive, symbol of the era of supersonic travel that hasn't been matched by any passenger plane since its retirement.
The Concorde’s takeoff was exceptionally loud, but it’s important to distinguish between two perspectives: on the ground and inside the cabin.
On the Ground (The Infamous Sonic Boom & Airport Noise)
- Sonic Boom: This was its most famous sound, but it only occurred after takeoff, once it accelerated past the speed of sound (Mach 1) over the ocean. The sonic boom was a double thunderclap so powerful it could rattle windows and shake the ground. It’s why the Concorde was banned from flying supersonically over populated land masses (like the US and Europe), restricting its supersonic routes mostly over the Atlantic.
- Takeoff Noise at the Airport: The Concorde’s takeoff was significantly louder than modern subsonic jets. It required afterburners (reheat) to achieve the necessary thrust for its delta-wing design to take off. This created a distinctive, thunderous roar with visible flames from its four Olympus 593 engines.
- Measured Noise: At takeoff, it produced around 119-120 Perceived Noise Decibels (PNdB). To compare, a modern Boeing 787 Dreamliner produces about 85-90 PNdB on takeoff. The Concorde was about 30 times more intense acoustically (due to the logarithmic decibel scale).
- Consequence: This extreme noise was a major reason it was banned from many airports, including its intended home at London Heathrow for a time, due to strict local noise regulations. It was mostly restricted to major international hubs like JFK and Paris Charles de Ga