[sgt101]

Supersonic commercial flight is one of the most interesting. I think two strange things happened. First we got the internet - and mobile phones and video conferences and this has eroded the value of rapid physical presence. Second, and I think this is more important, people have become more willing to sacrifice their time for their career/money/firm/dream vs. family/happiness/now.

An acquaintance flew Concorde a lot in the 80's, the reason - "I could get to Heathrow in the morning, fly to New York, do a meeting, fly back and get home the next morning". Another friend is a exec at a bank now and goes on month long odysseys to the USA, Asia and Australia. The contrast in perspective and commitment is striking, I don't think that Concorde would matter at all to these folks.

[biztos]

Could the improvements in Business and First Class travel, combined with the increased use of private jets (also NetJets) have contributed to the downfall of the Concorde?

The more comfortable you are in the flight, the less the actual number of hours flown bothers you.

[sgt101]

Yes - especially in flight calling, in flight working (ppt!) and in flight internet. Flight time != downtime for these folks anymore - which means that the per hour saved calculations are not going to convince finance.

[TremendousJudge]

Here is the issue explained in 10-minute youtube format by Wendover Productions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1QEj09Pe6k

[rtpg]

Also the fact that airports are still a big time sink even with all the priority passes in the world.

No amount of money makes getting from your front door to the airport not be a massive pain potentially taking over an hour if you have some bad luck

[gmueckl]

Passenger queues are not an issue when you are departing from a GAT in your private jet. ;)

[pixl97]

Traffic to the airport is.