Three days of incredible aviation, spectacular flying displays and an atmosphere unlike anywhere else. RIAT27 is returning 16–18 July 2027, and there’s no better time to start planning your visit.
Get ready to explore an incredible line-up of aircraft, watch breathtaking displays and experience everything that makes RIAT one of the highlights of the summer.
Who says an airshow is just about what’s happening in the sky?
Located near the static aircraft, Altitude brings together aviation and a lively social atmosphere for an experience with a little extra energy.
Enjoy an all-inclusive bar, take in the impressive aircraft nearby and get into the spirit of the day with live music to keep the atmosphere going.
Whether you’re planning a day out with friends or looking to do something different next summer, Altitude offers another way to make your RIAT27 visit stand out.
Old Warden, 22 October 2026 – Shuttleworth, Bedfordshire visitor attraction and event venue home to some of the world’s oldest airworthy examples of historic aircraft and Regency Swiss Garden, has seen a record increase in air show visitors this year, increasing from over 33,000 in 2025 to over 40,000 in 2026.
Festival of Flight, Shuttleworth’s flagship two-day air show in June, saw substantial growth in visitor numbers. The event featured a range of rare visiting aircraft, including the UK air show debut of the only Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-4 flying in Europe, an example of the front-line fighter flown by the Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain, sharing a strong military history with Britain’s Spitfire. The festival also saw more free ground attractions than ever before, with fun fair rides, archery, axe throwing, circus skills workshops, BMX stunt shows, and a land train amongst the entertainment.
Just a month later, in July, Shuttleworth experienced the sell-out success of Summer Air Show, an event featuring a tribute to the 90th anniversary of the first flight of the Spitfire, reflecting the enduring enthusiasm of the British public for the aircraft. The afternoon flying display saw a formation of nine spitfires, as well as dogfight scenario between a Spitfire and a Hispano Buchon.
Marc Boult, Head of Visitor Operations at Shuttleworth, commented: “To have achieved this level of growth in a year speaks volumes about the work we have been putting in to make Shuttleworth air shows a great day out for both aviation enthusiasts and families. We have had some truly exceptional displays and a huge range of visiting aircraft, from aerobatic crowd pleasers to seriously rare aircraft. A growing awareness of what we do here has also been instrumental to this growth, and it is pleasing to see us reach new audiences who are experiencing air shows for the first time. I am keen to thank our teams here for their hard work and dedication, and I am excited to see what we can achieve in 2027.”
Shuttleworth’s 2027 season is already on sale, with visiting aircraft yet to be announced. So far, Shuttleworth has shared that its Summer Air Show 2027 will feature an American theme to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the US Air Force. They have also launched a brand-new air show for September, Season Finale Air Show, featuring a fireworks finale to celebrate the end of the season.
There’s something special about watching the flying display unfold, and with RIAT27 planning well underway, now is the time to choose how you want to experience it.
Join us from 16–18 July 2027 for three days of incredible aircraft, spectacular flying and unforgettable aviation action.
Whether you’re a lifelong aviation fan or simply looking for an incredible day out, there’s plenty waiting to be discovered.
The countdown is underway, and from 16-18 July 2027, RIAT will once again be filled with incredible aircraft, spectacular flying and unforgettable moments.
Whether you’re planning a day with family and friends or making a weekend of it, there’s still time to secure your place at the show.
Want to enjoy RIAT27 with a lot more comfort and luxury?
Step into the First Class Lounge and enjoy a premium experience away from the hustle and bustle, with a comfortable space to relax and make the most of your day. On-base parking is included as well as complimentary food and drink throughout day.
It’s the perfect place to take a break between displays, soak up the atmosphere and enjoy RIAT at a more leisurely pace while still being close to all the action.
Saturday is proving particularly popular, with just 10% of First Class Lounge places remaining.
If First Class Lounge is on your RIAT27 wish list, don’t wait too long to secure your preferred day.
There’s nothing quite like a day at RIAT. From the first aircraft taking to the skies to the last display of the day, RAF Fairford will be filled with incredible flying, aircraft from around the world and plenty to do and see on the ground.
Join us from 16–18 July 2027 for the return of the world’s greatest airshow.
Whether you’re planning a day with family and friends or looking forward to seeing your favourite aircraft up close, now is the perfect time to start making your plans.
Looking to make your RIAT27 experience even more memorable? Our Flight Deck enclosure puts you right on the crowdline, giving you a fantastic position to enjoy the flying display.
As well as being close to the action, Flight Deck gives you a comfortable place to take a break, with informal seating, a shaded stretch tent, street-food lunch, a welcome drink, ice cream and private toilets.
And for aviation photographers, there’s a dedicated front-row photography area to help you capture the action near to where the aircraft take off.
The countdown to the return of the world’s greatest airshow has begun.
From 16–18 July 2027, RAF Fairford will once again come alive with incredible aircraft, spectacular flying displays and all the excitement that makes RIAT an unforgettable day out.
Whether you’re a lifelong aviation enthusiast, planning a day out with friends or bringing the whole family along, there’s something for everyone to discover. With RIAT27 tickets on sale, now is the time to start planning your visit.
A day at RIAT is packed with things to see, do and explore – and the Family Enclosure gives you a dedicated space to make the most of it all together.
Designed with families in mind, it offers your own exclusive area within the showground, giving you somewhere to base yourselves throughout the day while still being part of all the RIAT action.
Open on Saturday and Sunday, it’s the perfect option for families looking to make their airshow experience even more enjoyable. Take a break, recharge and then head back out to explore the incredible aircraft, entertainment and experiences waiting across the showground.
With so much happening throughout the day, the Family Enclosure could be the perfect addition to your RIAT27 adventure.
Thruxton UK: Gravity Industries will be joining the inaugural Hampshire Air Festival, bringing its world-famous human Jet Suit to Thruxton Aerodrome on 12th & 13th September.
Created by British inventor and Gravity Industries Founder Richard Browning, the Jet Suit represents a remarkable new chapter in personal flight, using pioneering technology to augment human capability and make controlled, body-flown jet-powered flight possible.
The display will form part of the events Saturday dusk ‘Evening Extravaganza’, adding a dramatic demonstration of future flight as the show transitions from daytime flying into an programme of illuminated displays, drones, lighting and entertainment.
Gravity Industries will also appear during the daytime Sunday show, giving visitors another opportunity to see this extraordinary technology up close as part of the wider celebration of ‘The Age of Flight’.
Richard Browning, Founder and Chief Test Pilot of Gravity Industries, said: “We’re delighted to be part of the inaugural Hampshire Air Festival. It’s fantastic to support an event celebrating Britain’s extraordinary aviation heritage, especially so close to home. Despite an incredibly busy international schedule, we aim to support opportunities like this to share the technology with a local audience where we can, and we’re looking forward to inspiring the next generation of innovators.”
Jonathan Moore, Event Organiser for Hampshire Air Festival, said: “Gravity Industries is exactly the kind of addition we hoped to bring to Hampshire Air Festival in our first year. The Jet Suit is bold, innovative and inspiring, while also fitting perfectly with our Age of Flight theme. To have a locally based company demonstrating such groundbreaking technology at Thruxton is a real privilege, and we know it will be one of those moments visitors will talk about long after the weekend.”
From early pioneers and historic aircraft to the latest advances in human flight, Hampshire Air Festival has been created to tell the story of aviation across the generations. Gravity Industries brings that story right up to the present day, showing what can happen when imagination, engineering and determination come together.
Tickets are still available for Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September, with Saturday including a full daytime flying display and dusk Evening Extravaganza, and Sunday offering a packed daytime programme of flying, static aircraft and ground attractions. Tickets: www.hampshireairfestival.co.uk
The countdown is on. From 16–18 July 2027, the world’s greatest airshow returns to RAF Fairford for an unforgettable weekend of incredible aircraft, spectacular flying displays and so much more.
Whether you’re planning a day out with friends, a weekend with fellow aviation fans or your first ever visit to RIAT, there’s plenty to look forward to.
RIAT27 will also feature a Tiger Gathering at RAF Fairford, with a spectacular celebration of the NATO Tiger Association and its famous tiger-painted aircraft. Your adventure starts with a ticket.
Fancy experiencing RIAT with a little more altitude?
Located in the heart of the showground, the Altitude enclosure is the place to soak up the action while enjoying an exclusive space to relax, socialise and make the most of your day.
Take in the flying displays from the elevated viewing platform, retreat to the shaded tent, settle into the covered seating or grab a drink at the all-inclusive bar – complete with cocktails. Complimentary food, private toilets and a free cloakroom are all part of the experience too.
And when the aircraft aren’t keeping you entertained, Altitude brings the atmosphere with live music. Sound like your kind of RIAT?
Fairford, Gloucestershire, 28 August 2026: Helen Webb, founder of Helen Webb Aviation and former Head of Marketing for the Royal International Air Tattoo, has launched Airshow Heroes, a new community initiative designed to give people going through cancer treatment and their loved ones special VIP days out at UK airshows.
Airshow Heroes is now urgently looking for its first family to attend the Hampshire Air Festival at Thruxton Aerodrome on 12–13 September 2026. The initiative is seeking nominations for a person currently undergoing cancer treatment who lives within manageable travelling distance of Thruxton, including Andover, Salisbury, Tidworth, Basingstoke, Swindon and the surrounding areas.
Created by Helen following her own recent diagnosis of aggressive breast cancer and the start of an 18-month treatment plan, Airshow Heroes will fund tickets, the VIP experience, goody bags, photography and memory-making extras for families local to each airshow.
The aim is simple: to offer a few hours of escape, excitement and shared joy at a time when families may need it most.
Helen Webb said: “I have been part of the airshow community for nearly 20 years and I know first-hand how uplifting aviation can be. Since my diagnosis, I understand even more deeply how important it is to create moments of joy, distraction and togetherness for both the person in treatment and the family and friends supporting them. Airshow Heroes is about using the magic of airshows to make difficult days feel a little lighter.”
Families do not need to include children to be considered. Airshow Heroes welcomes nominations for adults, couples, parents, carers, friends and family groups where someone is currently receiving cancer treatment and would benefit from a special day together.
With the airshow season drawing to a close, Helen hopes to find a family in time for the Hampshire Air Festival rather than waiting until next year. Anyone who knows a suitable family is encouraged to share the appeal and ask them to contact Helen Webb Aviation directly.
Supporters can also help by donating to or sharing the Airshow Heroes Crowdfunder campaign at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/airshow-heroes. Funds raised will be used to cover tickets and the additional touches that turn a day out into a lasting memory.
Helen added: “If you believe in the magic of aviation to create a moment of happiness for someone who needs it, please support or share Airshow Heroes. And if you know a family near Thruxton who are going through cancer treatment, please help us find them.”
Call for nominations
Airshow Heroes is seeking a family local to Thruxton Aerodrome, within around a 30-mile drive where possible, with a loved one currently undergoing cancer treatment.
To nominate a family or ask for more information, contact Helen Webb Aviation via email at fly@helenwebbaviation.com
80th anniversary of US Air Force to be celebrated at Summer Air Show
Brand-new Season Finale Air Show for September 2027
Old Warden, 20 August 2026 – Shuttleworth, visitor attraction and event venue home to some of the world’s oldest airworthy examples of historic aircraft, is excited to announce its 2027 air show season. The launch follows the success of the 2026 season which – with still two shows left to go – has seen the sell-out success of Summer Air Show and record-breaking attendance numbers for Festival of Flight. The 2027 air show season, which is now on sale, features seven air shows, with the new addition of Season Finale Air Show on Saturday 25 September 2027.
The season kicks off with Season Premiere Air Show on Sunday 9 May 2027, the first opportunity for visitors to experience all a Shuttleworth air show has to offer in 2027. Later, on Saturday 29 May 2027, Military Air Show returns, bringing together military aircraft, vehicles and history in a tribute to all those who have served their nations.
Flagship air show, Festival of Flight, returns
Shuttleworth’s flagship air show will return on 26 and 27 June 2027, following the success of the 2026 iteration of the event, described in Vintage Aviation News as “probably the best airshow anywhere in the world this year”.
The festival will feature a programme of flying displays showcasing aircraft from Shuttleworth’s internationally renowned Collection, alongside a range of visiting aircraft from across the UK and overseas. In addition to the flying displays, visitors will be able to explore a variety of ground attractions and family activities located throughout the Shuttleworth site. Interactive experiences and entertainment will be available for visitors of all ages, and on-site camping will once again be offered for those wishing to enjoy the full festival experience.
80th anniversary of US Air Force celebrated
Shuttleworth’s Summer Air Show will return, but this time with an American theme to mark the 80th anniversary of the US Air Force. Visitors can look forward to an exciting programme of flying displays featuring classic American aircraft plus another thrilling gathering of aircraft (more news to come soon). The event will also offer a variety of themed attractions on the ground, including American-inspired food, a free fun fair and interactive STEM-focused Discovery Zone activities.
For its second iteration, Wings & Wheels Air Show will return on Saturday 14 August 2027, celebrating motoring and aviation in equal measure. Flying Proms Air Show, a staple in the Shuttleworth calendar, will be on Saturday 28 August 2027, with the National Symphony Orchestra performing live alongside beautifully choreographed aerobatic displays.
A brand-new air show for September
The 2027 air show season will end in spectacular style with a brand-new air show, Season Finale Air Show, featuring breathtaking flying displays from Shuttleworth’s own Collection alongside visiting aircraft. In the evening, visitors will be treated to a fireworks and pyrotechnics finale, providing a memorable end to a season of aviation excitement.
Marc Boult, Head of Visitor Operations at Shuttleworth, commented: “The 2026 air show season exceeded all our expectations, and we’re already looking ahead to an exciting 2027. Preparations are well underway, with Summer Air Show set to be a particular highlight. Following a sell-out event in 2026, the show will return with another major theme, celebrating the 80th anniversary of the US Air Force. We’re also thrilled to launch a brand-new event, Season Finale Air Show, in September 2027, bringing the season to a spectacular close.”
