Mike Bannister is a distinguished airline pilot best known for his role as the Chief Pilot of British Airways’ iconic Concorde fleet. A passionate aviator, Bannister joined British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC), British Airways’ predecessor, in 1969. He became part of the Concorde team in 1977, accumulating nearly 9,600 flight hours on the supersonic airliner. Bannister’s leadership culminated in his appointment as Chief Pilot of Concorde in 1995, a role he held until the aircraft’s retirement in 2003. He famously captained Concorde’s final flight from New York to London on October 24, 2003, marking the end of an era in aviation history.
Beyond his flying career, Bannister has made significant contributions to various charitable and community causes, raising over £350,000 through lectures and personal initiatives. He is actively involved in the voluntary sector, serving as a Chair of Governors for an independent school, a Trustee for several organizations, including the Brooklands Museum, and holding various corporate and non-executive director roles. Bannister also continues to play a key role in the future of supersonic flight through his involvement with Boom Supersonic, a company dedicated to developing the next generation of supersonic aircraft. As an advisor to Boom, Bannister brings invaluable expertise from his years of experience with Concorde. In addition to his public service work, Bannister is an aviation consultant, specializing in airline management, safety, and operational matters. In 2022, he released his memoir, Concorde, where he shares insights from his remarkable flying career, particularly his time piloting the world’s most famous supersonic jet.