05-05-2025
Animated map shows Red Arrows flypast route and schedule for VE Day 2025
The famous Red Arrows are set to take to the skies today kick off the VE Day celebrations.
On the first of four days of celebrations in the UK to mark the end of the Second World War in Europe, the stunning aerial display will fly over the south of England, including Buckingham Palace, later on today.
Thousands of people are expected to line streets to see them. Not only will the Red Arrows take part in the display, but a further flypast of more than 20 current and historic military aircraft will also fly over London.
Some of the jets that will take part in the display include the P8 Poseidons, involved in tensions with Russia, Typhoon fast jets which are part of Nato Air Policing, and Voyager aircraft which have delivered equipment to Ukrainian forces are all taking part.
A number of traffic and travel restrictions are in place in the capital, with Transport for London (TfL) issuing advice for people wishing to avoid the crowds.
A military procession will take place in London later this afternoon, starting off at Parliament Square at 12pm.
The words of Sir Winston Churchill's 1945 victory speech will be spoken by actor Timothy Spall before a procession take place down Whitehall, past the Cenotaph, through Admiralty Arch and up the Mall.
Veterans from the Second World War will watch the event from the Queen Victoria Memorial.
The Red Arrows fly past will then take place, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also watching the event.
King Charles and Queen Camilla are also expected to make an appearance on the Buckingham Palace Balcony during the military parade. Later on, they will host a tea part for the veterans, their family members and other people in the palace's gardens.
The Red Arrows flypast route could be subject to change, depending on weather conditions and other factors on the day.
The display will begin over the North Sea off the cost of Norfolk before heading inland over East Anglia, Essex and London.
Planes will then disperse over Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.
Each area covering the potential route will be restricted, meaning other planes are not able to enter those areas at the following times and altitudes: Area A: between 11.45am-2.45pm, up to 10,000ft
Area B: between 1.15pm-2.10pm, up to 5,000ft
Area C: between 1.20pm-2.10pm, up to 4,000ft
Area D: between 1.20pm-2.10pm, up to 3,000ft
Area E: between 1.25pm-2.10pm, up to 2,500ft
Area F: between 1.25pm-2.10pm, up to 2,500ft
Area G: between 1.45pm-2.25pm, up to 2,500ft
Area H: between 1.45pm-2.25pm, up to 2,500ft
Area I: between 1.45pm-2.25pm, up to 2,500ft
The Red Arrows, which are officially known as the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, are based at the RAF Waddington base in Lincolnshire and have been there since 2022. More Trending
The team has been based in Lincolnshire throughout its history, at RAF Kemble from 1966, moving to RAF Scampton in 1983, and spending five years at RAF College Cranwell between 1995 and 2000.
During displays, the Red Arrows fly extremely close together.
The exact distance varies depending on the stunt being performed, but the jets can fly as close as 6ft apart.
The Red Arrows have a number of displays and flypasts already in the diary for 2025: 24/05/2025 Chania, Crete, Greece
26/05/2025 Thessaloniki, Greece
30/05/2025 Midlands Air Festival
31/05/2025 Midlands Air Festival
31/05/2025 English Riviera Airshow
01/06/2025 English Riviera Airshow
01/06/2025 Midlands Air Festival
05/06/2025 Isle of Man TT Races
08/06/2025 RAF Cosford Airshow
14/06/2025 HM The King's Official Birthday Flypast, London – flypast
15/06/2025 Festival Aéreo AIRE 25, San Javier, Murcia, Spain
21/06/2025 Northern Ireland Armed Forces' Day – Newtownards Airfield
22/06/2025 Duxford Summer Air Show
28/06/2025 Shuttleworth Festival of Flight
28/06/2025 Armed Forces' Day North East Lincolnshire, Cleethorpes
29/06/2025 Event to be confirmed/announced in due course
29/06/2025 Battle of Britain Airshow, Headcorn
05/07/2025 Wales Airshow, Swansea
06/07/2025 Wales Airshow, Swansea
06/07/2025 Formula One, British Grand Prix, Silverstone – flypast
10/07/2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed
11/07/2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed
13/07/2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed
18/07/2025 Royal International Air Tattoo
19/07/2025 Royal International Air Tattoo
20/07/2025 Royal International Air Tattoo
21/07/2025 The Tall Ship Races Aberdeen
26/07/2025 Swanage Carnival
26/07/2025 Old Buckenham
27/07/2025 Old Buckenham
09/08/2025 Blackpool Airshow
09/08/2025 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo – flypast
10/08/2025 Blackpool Airshow
13/08/2025 Falmouth Week
14/08/2025 Airbourne – Eastbourne International Airshow
15/08/2025 Airbourne – Eastbourne International Airshow
16/08/2025 Airbourne – Eastbourne International Airshow
17/08/2025 Airbourne – Eastbourne International Airshow
20/08/2025 Cromer Carnival
21/08/2025 Clacton Airshow
22/08/2025 Clacton Airshow
22/08/2025 Sidmouth Regatta
24/08/2025 Roskilde Airshow, Denmark
30/08/2025 Bucharest International Air Show – flypast
30/08/2025 Radom Airshow, Poland
31/08/2025 Radom Airshow, Poland
05/09/2025 Ayr Show Festival of Flight
06/09/2025 Ayr Show Festival of Flight
07/09/2025 Great North Run – Newcastle/South Shields
10/09/2025 Guernsey Air Display
11/09/2025 Jersey International Air Display
13/09/2025 International Sanicole Airshow, Belgium
14/09/2025 International Sanicole Airshow, Belgium
20/09/2025 NATO Days – Ostrava, Czech Republic
21/09/2025 NATO Days – Ostrava, Czech Republic
27/09/2025 Overseas event – details to be confirmed
28/09/2025 Overseas event – details to be confirmed
04/10/2025 Duxford Flying Finale
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