Royal International Air Tattoo

RIAT25 is almost here!

We are back for our final aircraft announcement as we put the finishing touches to this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo.

With less than a week to go until aircraft from all over the world touch down at RAF Fairford, we still have exciting new additions to this year’s line-up.

Starting with the Pakistan Air Force, they will be bringing their JF-17 Thunder to RIAT for the first time! There will be a pair of them on static display alongside a C-130E Hercules, supported by their IL-78 tanker. These rare Pakistani aircraft will be a highlight for many aviation enthusiasts.

Staying with the flying display, we are delighted to confirm a number of unique flypasts courtesy of both the Royal Air Force and United States Air Force, with a number of aircraft participating across the weekend, such as B-1B Lancer, F-35B Lightning II, RC-135W Rivet Joint, P-8A Poseidon and C-17 Globemaster. Check the listings on the website, or our new app, to see which aircraft will be appearing on each day.

Last but not least, we have some more additions to the static aircraft in the shape of an F-15E Strike Eagle and Airbus A400M, plus aircraft from Airtask as part of our ‘Eyes in the Skies’ theme with their Cessna F406 Vigilant.

Bring on RIAT25!

View Confirmed Aircraft

We can guarantee that we’ll be taking calls next week from people who are desperate for tickets to the this summer’s RIAT extravaganza. Buy your tickets today or you’ll be disappointed.

Friday general admission is sold out. Only way in now for Friday is with an enclosure upgrade package.

Saturday general admission is sold out. Only way in now for Saturday is with an Altitude enclosure upgrade package.

Sunday is almost sold out. You will need to buy your tickets NOW to assure your place at the world’s greatest airshow.

If you want to make your day extra special and enjoy the flying display in a relaxed and sophisticated environment, then the First Class Lounge is the perfect spot. But you’ll have to be super quick as there are now less than ten tickets left for Sunday. Whichever option you choose, just make sure you act today!

Book Tickets HERE

Don’t miss the incredible USAF aircraft lineup!

With it being US Independence Day tomorrow we are pleased to unveil a plethora of aircraft from the United States Air Force.

Starting with our theme of ‘Eyes in the Skies’, we are delighted to confirm there will be two U-2 aircraft on display, with one taking part in the flying programme on both Saturday and Sunday, while the second will feature on static alongside a RC-135 Rivet Joint.

Also joining us this year, and for the first time in over a decade will be the huge C-5 Galaxy, the largest aircraft in the USAF inventory! Other assets from the Americans include B-1B Lancer, which we’ve not seen since 2017, plus their C-21A, F-35A, KC-46A, KC-135R and MC-130J. In addition to the USAF aircraft this week, we can also confirm that the Italian Army will be in attendance at RIAT25, with their UH-169B helicopter on static display. Plus, aircraft from Gulfstream and Pilatus as part of our commercial showcases.

View Confirmed Aircraft

New for RIAT25 is the RIAT app. Available now on the Apple iOS and Google Play stores!

Download the app before you come to the show (signal on an airfield can be intermittent). The app will be updated with new content once the show starts, so make sure you go into the app again before you come to the showground. Click here to find out more about what’s on the app.

With barely two weeks to go until the show, tickets are flying and if you’re planning to join us for the world’s greatest airshow, this is your last chance. There are still some Sunday general admission tickets left, but be quick, this won’t be for long.

Friday:

Only way in now for Friday is with an enclosure upgrade package. We still have spaces in Altitude, Aviation Club, First Class Lounge, Cotswold Club, Flight Deck, Viewing Village Garden and Viewing Village Grandstand. So, something for everyone.

Saturday:

Only way in now for Saturday is with an Altitude upgrade package. Altitude is located at the heart of the showground and offers a great base to explore the whole RIAT experience from. With cool upper deck viewing spaces and a cool contemporary vibe. The all-inclusive cocktail bar and complimentary food served throughout the day, will make this an experience to remember. Don’t miss out on Saturday at RIAT.

FRIAT: Or if you’re looking for a completely immersive experience, why not book a FRIAT six-day package ticket? Offering a variety of benefits for those who want to see more of the airshow. FRIAT is excellent value, offering the opportunity to see fast jets, aerobatic display teams, historic warbirds, heavy transporters or helicopters alongside other dedicated aviation enthusiasts. But with only just over 100 FRIAT tickets left, you’ll have to be quick!

Book Tickets HERE

Final June aircraft update you won’t want to miss!

For our final update of June, we have a pair of additions to this year’s flying programme, plus a cluster of civilian aircraft on static display.

Next month SAAB will be returning to RAF Fairford with their Gripen E taking to the skies across Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Back in 2023, the display came away with the Paul Bowen Trophy for Best Solo Jet Demonstration, so we are excited to see what they have planned this summer.

Elsewhere, we are set to welcome the world’s only airworthy FIAT G.91 to Gloucestershire, which will help us celebrate the past, present and future of the Italian Air Force as their iconic display team, Frecce Tricolori, marks their 65th anniversary this year. Further strengthening our Italian contingent, we have two Aermacchi MB-326 aircraft to join the static display.

Rounding off this week, we have more aircraft on the ground as part of our ‘Eyes in the Skies’ theme, including two King Airs from Flight Precision Ltd and Metrea – who are also bringing their new Dash 8 Fireswift. More aircraft to bolster the static lineup include a CASA C-295M from the Spanish Air and Space Force, a privately owned IAR-823, and Twin Otter from De Havilland Canada.

View Confirmed Aircraft

Our special offer on the Altitude enclosure upgrade package ends at midnight on Sunday 29th June. Normal price Friday £200, special offer price just £175. Normal price Saturday and Sunday £225, special offer price just £200. Don’t miss out on this fantastic offer and experience the show from our coolest and newest offering, with delectable food, refreshing drinks and cocktails, all included! As well as live DJ music once the flying display is finished. Buy your tickets today.

Book Tickets HERE

Only four weeks to go

This week, we’re thrilled to welcome a new nation to this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo! Making their debut appearance, the Egyptian Air Force becomes our 59th participating nation and will be bringing their Antonov An-74T Coaler to join the static display.

We’re also excited to confirm several new additions to our static lineup. The Royal Netherlands Air Force will also be attending with a pair of Chinooks, while the Spanish Air and Space Force will contribute another C.16 Tifón. From the Army Air Corps, we’re adding a fourth AH-64E Apache to the static display, alongside a Wildcat AH.1.

We’re delighted to welcome the new Army Air Corps Display Team with two Apache’s and a Wildcat to perform in the flying display, accompanied by pyrotechnics. This will be exclusive to the Friday of RIAT.

In a change to the lineup, the Whirlwind is unfortunately unable to attend. However, we’re pleased to announce that Historic Helicopters will instead be bringing their Sea King HAR.3 for the static display. Further additions include an RAF F-35B Lightning II, which will be on static display, along with a King Air 350 and a Leonardo AW139 from QinetiQ. With less than one month to go until this year’s Air Tattoo, the excitement is building fast – and there are still plenty more aircraft announcements to come in the weeks ahead!

View Confirmed Aircraft

Time is running out to secure your spot at RIAT25, with Friday and Saturday general admission sold out! Sunday is now hot on its heels. The only way in now for Friday is with an enclosure upgrade package and for Saturday is with an Altitude upgrade package. Altitude is our newest enclosure and it’s currently on special offer. Normal price Friday £200, special offer price just £175. Normal price Saturday and Sunday £225, special offer price just £200. We know how disappointed you’ll be if you don’t buy your tickets now and miss out on all the fun. Consider this a friendly reminder, buy your tickets today, before Sunday sells out too. And be a part of the world’s greatest airshow.

Book Tickets HERE

Unveiling more spectacular aircraft for RIAT25!

It’s less than five weeks until we start welcoming aircraft to RAF Fairford for this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo and we still have participants to reveal!

This week we have another addition to the flying display with the ever-popular RAF Chinook performing a role demo over the weekend, plus a pair of Typhoons and a Poseidon to further bolster this year’s static line-up as we explore our theme of ‘Eyes in the Skies’.

Elsewhere, we are excited to announce the US Army are heading back to Gloucestershire for the first time in a decade with their AH-64E Apache Guardian on static display, meanwhile, sticking with helicopters, the Royal Navy are also providing a Wildcat HMA.2.

Rounding off this week and as part of our 40 years at Fairford, we’re pleased to welcome an Auster AOP.9 and Bell Sioux AH.1 on static display, as well as a pair of Jet Provosts. To view every aircraft confirmed for RIAT25 so far visit our website.

View Confirmed Aircraft

Friday and Saturday general admission has now completely sold out. The only way in for Friday is with an enclosure upgrade package and for Saturday is with an Altitude enclosure upgrade package.

Book Tickets HERE

French Navy’s Atlantique joins the lineup!

It’s not long until aircraft will start touching down at this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo, and we are still adding to this year’s flying programme!

This week, we are delighted to confirm that the French Navy will be providing their Atlantique, which we are sure many of you will consider a highlight for this year.

We’ve also got aircraft to bolster our theme of ‘Eyes in the Skies’ as we prepare to welcome the Royal Canadian Air Force with their CP-140M Aurora, Italian Coastguard with their ATR 42 and HM Coastguard Sikorsky S-92A. Rounding off this week, we are pleased to announce the Grob 520 Ergrett and Grob 120TP, as well as an Envoy IV from the Royal Air Force, all on static display.

View Confirmed Aircraft

We are still selling tickets for this year’s show at a rapid rate and while Saturday general admission has sold out, you can still secure a spot by giving our new enclosure Altitude a try!

Enjoy an all-inclusive cocktail bar with selected drinks, upper deck viewing space that will give you a unique view of the show and an exclusive DJ music set in the enclosure, once the flying display has concluded.

With Saturday selling out, Friday and Sunday aren’t too far behind, so if you are planning on joining us this year, you’ve got to act fast! We’ve got aircraft from all around the world, hours of flying displays and plenty to keep you occupied on the ground with our Techno Zone ®, Inspire Stage and static line-up so book now to avoid missing out.

Book Tickets HERE

RIAT Saturday sells out in record speed

Tickets for this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo are flying with Saturday selling out earlier than ever before.

To date, the event has sold over 130,000 tickets to this year’s show, which will see hundreds of aircraft from all over the world descend on RAF Fairford for the three-day aviation showcase which is set to take place on Friday 18th to Sunday 20th July.

With a theme of Eyes in the Skies, highlighting the vital role aviation plays across domains of aerial surveying, airborne early warning, maritime patrol, search and rescue, reconnaissance, signals intelligence and surveillance. This summer also marks 40 years since Air Tattoo first touched down at RAF Fairford with a heritage centre also due to be installed on the showground.

So far, in addition to hoards of visitors, the event has had confirmation of over 200 aircraft ranging from the RAF’s iconic display team, the Red Arrows, more unusual aircraft relating to the theme, plus crowd favourites such as the Spanish Harrier.

Paul Atherton, Chief Executive Officer at Royal Air Force Charitable Trust, said: “Demand for our event has been incredible since we came back from COVID and we are always grateful for the support we receive, from visitors, international air forces and our volunteers.

“This year’s event is set to be another brilliant show with aircraft from all over the world and their crews which will be on hand to talk to visitors about their airframes and their careers in aviation.

“For anyone who is still hoping to join us this year, I’d encourage you to act fast as tickets are selling extremely quickly and once they’re gone, they’re gone!”

Profits generated by the Royal International Air Tattoo fuel the event’s parent charity, the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust, which aims to inspire young people into careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths).

In addition to the awe-inspiring displays in the air, there is plenty for people to explore on the ground with an extensive static display, the Techno Zone® where people can get hands-on with the latest tech exhibits in air and space, plus the Inspire Stage which is run by the charity and features speakers from aviation and tech.

Dr Kevin Stenson, Director, Royal Air Force Charitable Trust said: “The popularity of RIAT is hugely important for our charity as we continue to spark the imagination of young people.

“RIAT as a whole is an incredible showcase of the possibilities in aviation and space, and the Inspire Stage is a key part of it. This year’s Stage will include live lessons, pilots, astronauts, Everest climbers, TV presenters, Minecraft. a robot dog and more.”

www.airtattoo.com

It’s almost here! Check out this week’s thrilling aircraft additions

There are less than two months to go until the first aircraft touches down at RAF Fairford for this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo!

Meanwhile, Take Off Thursday continues and this week we are pleased to announce some assets from the Qatar Emiri Air Force that will further bolster our static line-up.

They’ll be bringing an AH-64E Apache Guardian as we celebrate 50 years of Apache, plus a C-17 Globemaster, Hawk and a Typhoon.

From further afield and visiting for the first time in almost 10 years, we have the Royal New Zealand Air Force and their Boeing 757-2K2 – their last trip to Gloucestershire came back in 2016.

Finally, we’re rounding off the week with Royal Air Force training aircraft to the static line up this week with the Prefect, Tutor and Hawk. More to come from the Royal Air Force in the next few weeks… To view every aircraft confirmed for RIAT25 so far, click the link below.

View Confirmed Aircraft

If you’re looking for a more intense experience then why not treat yourself to one of our FRIAT six-day packages. They’re fantastic value, with amazing benefits including:

Park & View entry on Wednesday
Thursday, choice of Park & View or FRIAT enclosure
Friday to Sunday general admission to the showground and access to the FRIAT enclosure
Monday, choice of Park & View or FRIAT enclosure
Allocated grandstand seat and access to the exclusive FRIAT enclosure
Free official souvenir programme

Plus, the opportunity to meet other like-minded aircraft enthusiasts who love RIAT.

Book Tickets HERE

Prepare for take off – less than 10 weeks to go!

It’s less than 10 weeks until aircraft start arriving at RAF Fairford for this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo!

In this week’s update, we have an array of aircraft from the Royal Netherlands Air Force, including their Pilatus PC-7 training aircraft appearing at a British airshow for the first time in over a decade. They’ll also be sending the Airbus A330 MRTT from the Multinational Multirole Tanker Transport Unit, an NH90 NFH, and their new AH-64E Apache Guardian. We also have a Eurocopter EC135 for static display from the Irish Air Corps as well as a further five civilian additions also lining up on the Gloucestershire tarmac.

View Confirmed Aircraft

We all love the iconic film ‘Top Gun’, and believe it or not, this week marks 39 years since the original film’s release in 1986. For your own ‘Top Gun’ moment, join us at RIAT25. Be quick though, as tickets for Friday and Saturday are very close to selling out!

If you want to make your day extra special this year, then why not upgrade to one of our enclosures. While Saturday is completely sold out for all enclosures except Altitude, our newest enclosure, there are still enclosures available for Friday and Sunday. There is an enclosure for every taste and budget. Browse our range of options here. Upgrade your experience today!

Book Tickets HERE

Royal International Air Tattoo looking for your memories ahead of anniversary celebrations

Organisers of the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) are asking for people to share their memories of the aviation showcase as they celebrate 40 years since moving to RAF Fairford.

This summer’s show marks four decades since Air Tattoo first touched down in Gloucestershire, with 32 shows taking place at the rural airfield since then.

As part of the celebrations, the event is set to have a heritage area on the showground to recognise the show’s history and organisers are looking for people to contribute with their photos and memories of attending the show.

To take part, you will need to email your photos and stories to 40Years@rafcte.com for a chance for them to feature on a memory wall at this year’s show, which is due to take place from Friday 18th-Sunday 20th July.

Chief Executive Officer, Paul Atherton said: “We are hugely proud of our relationship with RAF Fairford and the local area and are looking forward to celebrating it at this summer’s event.

“Since 1985 we have been inviting people and aircraft from all over the world to be a part of what we do, and we would love to be able to share some of your memories with visitors who are joining us this year.”

With less than 75 days to go until this summer’s event, RIAT have already announced over 50 different aircraft including the Royal Air Force Red Arrows, Swedish Air Force Blackhawk and a Royal Danish Air Force F-16.

Tickets are available via www.airtattoo.com.