Entertainment Swindon

This years Royal International Air Tattoo celebrated bumper crowds throughout the weekend with over 175,000 people enjoying thrilling displays, unique flypasts and an extensive static display which included Navy to Victory’s Douglas C-47 Dakota that sat proud on static display, returning to Fairford 40yrs after appearing at the very first International Air Tattoo in 1985.

In total, there were 224 participating aircraft from 27 different nations, with 41 Air Chiefs from countries all over the world also in attendance.

Reflecting on the weekend, Chief Executive Officer for Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Enterprises, Paul Atherton said: “We were delighted to welcome so many people to RAF Fairford for this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo.

“As always, I’d like to thank everyone involved in bringing the event to life from the visiting crews, our hosts at the United States Air Force, our team of volunteers and of course our visitors.

“Plans for next year are already underway and we look forward to sharing them in the coming months.”

This year’s show saw a second historic flight in as many years with the iconic Royal Air Force Red Arrows displaying on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) for the very first time, making them the first aerobatic display team to do so. This comes after the RAF Typhoon completed its first public display on SAF in 2024 – the Typhoon also flew on SAF this summer.

Red Arrows Squadron Leader Jon Bond said: “Whether it’s the Red Arrows’ history-making, world-first use of sustainable fuels at this year’s RIAT or the introduction of E-7 Wedgetail, both showcase the RAF’s commitment to constant, cutting-edge innovation.”

In relation to this year’s theme of Eyes in the Skies, spectators were treated a special flypast showing the RAF’s new Wedgetail aircraft alongside the Red Arrows, plus displays from the American U-2 spy plane and French Atlantique maritime patrol aircraft. 

On the ground there were plenty of highlights, including a heritage centre which celebrated 40 years since Air Tattoo first touched down at RAF Fairford, elsewhere, show highlights included Tim Peake and Rachel Riley appearing at the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust’s Inspire Stage, our newly expanded Techno Zone®, which saw thousands of children across the three-day period interact the latest technology.

Looking at the future of aviation, the show also welcomed Vertical Aerospace and their VX4 prototype in what was a potential glimpse at the future of flight.

Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Director, Dr Kevin P Stenson said: “I am incredibly proud to experience RIAT25 powering the dual purpose of the RAF Charitable Trust; the Promotion of the RAF, and the inspiration of young people to fulfil their potential in Air, Space and Technology.

“Highlights for me include the brilliant STEM role models in both Techno Zone® and on the Inspire Stage helping tens of thousands of young people to see that STEM is for them.

“I am indebted to everyone who supports the RIAT weekend, as this powers the Trust’s year-round, UK wide, STEM programme.”

Rain tried its best to upset the RIAT weekend, but visitors were not put off. over 200 aircraft took to the sky above RAF Fairford, including the highlights that stuck out for us at MNT was the RAF Typhoon Display Team, obviously the Red Arrows, the F-16AM Fighting Falcon from the Danish Air Force, which was not only the last time we will see the Danish flying the F-16 at RIAT, but the last time we will ever see the Danish Air Force fly the iconic F-16 at any air show again, before they switch to the F-35, and the explosive display from the Army Air Corps Apache that were also celebrating the 50th Anniversary of quite possibly the most iconic military helicopter ever.

On the ground there was even more to fill visitors weekend, the Techno Zone was as ever, inspiring, fun and captivated both kids and adults with many interactive activities. In the Inspire Dome, the Red Arrows, celebrity guests and astronaut Tim Peaks added to inspiring the next generation of engineers, pilots and astronauts.

Also on the ground The Royal International Air Tattoo introduced to the public their new Mascots, Flight Lieutenants Dash & Ava, who were out and about greeting visitors and getting their photos taken.

The Pakistan Air Force JF-17 Thunder was awarded the ‘Spirit of the Meet Award’ for embracing the spirit of the air tattoo with their stunning eagle design on their C-130 Hercules.

Among the many awards and trophy’s handed out at the end of the weekend was the Friends of The Royal International Air Tattoo (FRIAT), the air shows aviation enthusiast supporters club awarded the Polish Air Force Tiger Demo Team for their powerful demonstration of the F-16C Fighting Falcon.

Tickets for RIAT26 went on sale before this years event was even over, with tickets selling already!… RIAT is the UK’s biggest and best air show and sells out fast, organisers are advising people to grab their tickets fast. If this years show has anything to go by, ticket sales broke records, with Friday and Saturday tickets selling out faster than ever before.

RIAT26 will return on 17th, 18th and 19th July 2026. 

To purchase tickets for RIAT26, click HERE.