VE Day 2025: Map shows Red Arrows flypast route and schedule

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.

What events are happening today?

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.

What is the Red Arrows VE Day flypast route?

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

Where do the Red Arrows fly from?

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.

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.

How close together do the Red Arrows fly?

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.

Where else can I see the Red Arrows in 2025?

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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