Sussex Airshows and Red Arrows Coastal Viewing Guide 2026

With the spring weather finally settling in this April, it is the perfect time to start planning for the major aviation events hitting the Sussex coast later this year. The big news for 2026 is the confirmed return of the Royal Air Force Red Arrows, who are bringing their nine Hawk T1 aircraft back to our skies. Led by Squadron Leader Jon Bond, the team features several new faces this season, including Flight Lieutenants Matt Brighty and Chris Deen. While they have a busy schedule across the UK, including stops at the English Riviera Airshow in late May and the Midlands Air Festival, their presence in Sussex is always a highlight for locals. They are officially scheduled to perform at the Eastbourne International Airshow, commonly known as Airbourne, from Friday 14th to Sunday 16th August. Depending on the cloud base height on the day, we might see their full, rolling, or flat display types, all narrated by Red 10, Squadron Leader Stuart Roberts.

Airbourne 2026 itself runs from Thursday 13th to Sunday 16th August along the Eastbourne seafront. It remains one of the largest free seafront airshows in Europe, and the lineup for this year is looking quite varied. Alongside the Red Arrows, the RAF Typhoon Display Team and the RAF Tutor Display Team will be performing from Friday through Sunday. For those who appreciate vintage aviation, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight is slated for all four days, featuring the iconic Dakota, Spitfire, and Hurricane. New additions for the 2026 season include Mélanie Astles in the Extra 330 and the P-51 Mustang 'Marinell'. The weekend crowd on Saturday and Sunday will also see the Starlings Aerobatics Team and Rich Goodwin’s Jet Pitts, while the Stampe Formation Team and solo wingwalking displays are set for the opening Thursday and Friday.

Finding a good vantage point is key, as the flight paths cover a significant portion of the county. The aircraft typically enter and exit Sussex with high precision, passing over or near locations like Midhurst, Petworth, Pulborough, and Henfield. On August 17th, flights are expected over Eastbourne around 4:27 pm, with the main display starting a minute later before departing toward Normans Bay. Another re-entry flight is noted for the afternoon of August 19th, crossing near Easebourne and Midhurst at 7:44 pm. While the Eastbourne seafront is the primary hub, other spots like Haywards Heath, Uckfield, and North Chailey often sit under the transit routes. For a different perspective, some people head to the cliffs at Beachy Head or the Seven Sisters, or even take to the water with local boat trips to get a 360-degree view of the displays against the coastal backdrop.

Beyond the main Eastbourne event, the wider 2026 calendar offers a few other opportunities to catch the Red Arrows in the south. They will be at the Sidmouth Regatta Airshow on August 28th and the Cromer Carnival on August 19th. It is worth noting that while the official schedules are out, 'Family Day' events at various bases are usually kept private. For those in Brighton looking to catch a glimpse without traveling too far, keeping an eye on the transit times through West Grinstead and Alciston can be useful, as these spots often align with the team's path as they move between displays. Whether you prefer the crowded atmosphere of the seafront or a quiet spot on the South Downs, the 2026 season provides plenty of chances to see these formations in action.