The skies over southern England were alight with the unmistakable roar of jet engines on Sunday, July 13, 2025, as the Royal Air Force's famed aerobatic team, the Red Arrows, took to the air for a series of spectacular displays. Marking the third time the team performed at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, their presence thrilled crowds from the Isle of Wight to the rolling hills of West Sussex and beyond.
The Red Arrows’ 2025 summer season had already been off to a stirring start with a poignant VE Day anniversary flypast over Buckingham Palace in May, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. Thousands of spectators lined the streets of London, watching as the RAF jets painted the sky with their iconic red, white, and blue smoke trails—a symbol of both national pride and aerial mastery.
On this sunny July Sunday, the Red Arrows departed Bournemouth Airport at 12:10pm, heading toward the Isle of Wight where islanders had been treated to two earlier flypasts on July 10 and 11. Their scheduled performance at the Goodwood Festival of Speed was set for 12:20pm, captivating thousands gathered to witness the precision flying that has become synonymous with the Reds.
The flight path took the team over Ryde around 12:16pm, then onward over Freshwater, Newport, Havenstreet, Nettlestone, and Seaview. The jets were expected back over Ryde at 12:59pm as they returned to Bournemouth. But the day’s excitement was far from over. Later, as the team journeyed back to their home base at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire, the Red Arrows were scheduled to fly past St Lawrence and Ventnor at approximately 3:06pm, followed by a pass near Shanklin a minute later.
These timings and routes, while carefully planned, remained subject to change depending on weather and operational considerations. Nevertheless, the team’s presence in the skies was a highlight for many, especially those on the Isle of Wight who had also witnessed the Red Arrows’ memorable Armed Forces Day display on June 29, 2025. That performance had drawn audible gasps from the crowd, a testament to the pilots’ skill and the awe-inspiring spectacle they create.
But the Goodwood Festival of Speed was just one stop on a packed 2025 schedule for the Red Arrows. Following Goodwood, the team was set to dazzle audiences at the Royal International Air Tattoo from July 18 to 20, and then at the Tall Ships Races in Aberdeen on July 21. The end of July would see them performing at both the Swanage Carnival and Old Buckenham Airshow.
August promised no less excitement, with appearances at the Blackpool Airshow and the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo flypast on August 9, followed by the Falmouth Week Display on August 13. The Eastbourne International Airshow, known as Airbourne, would host the team from August 14 through 17, a marquee event in the UK’s airshow calendar. Late August also saw the Red Arrows venturing abroad to the Roskilde Airshow in Denmark and multiple displays in Poland, including the Bucharest International Air Show flypast and Radom Airshow.
September’s itinerary was equally ambitious, featuring the International Ayr Show in Scotland, the Great North Run flypast over Newcastle and South Shields, and international showcases in Guernsey, Jersey, Belgium, and the Czech Republic. The team’s overseas commitments continued to expand, reflecting their status as global ambassadors for the RAF and British aviation prowess. By year’s end, the Red Arrows were projected to have flown nearly 5,000 displays across 57 countries—a staggering feat that underscores their enduring appeal and operational excellence.
At the heart of these displays are the Hawk T1 fast-jets, capable of reaching speeds up to 660 miles per hour and even exceeding the speed of sound during dives. The distinctive red, white, and blue smoke trails they emit not only dazzle spectators but serve a practical purpose: helping pilots gauge wind conditions and maintain formation during complex aerobatic maneuvers.
The Red Arrows’ operation, affectionately known as 'The Circus,' is a finely tuned machine. Eleven pilots supported by a team of 100 engineers and support staff work tirelessly to keep the planes in peak condition. Becoming a Red Arrows pilot is no small feat; candidates must have at least 1,500 flying hours, completed a frontline operational tour, and be assessed as above average in their flying skills. Only then do they face a rigorous flying test and interview process to join this elite squadron.
Since late 2022, the Red Arrows have been based at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire, moving from their long-time home at RAF Scampton after four decades. Their return flight from Goodwood on July 13 followed a scenic but precise route from Bournemouth at 3pm, flying over Pagham, Goodwood, Charlton, Codmore Hill, and several points across East Anglia before finally touching down at RAF Waddington just before 4pm.
As the Red Arrows continue their 2025 tour, their displays offer more than just thrilling aerobatics—they are a vivid reminder of Britain’s rich aviation heritage and the skill, dedication, and teamwork that keep this tradition alive. Whether viewed from the bustling streets of London, the green fields of the English countryside, or the shores of the Isle of Wight, the Red Arrows’ performances inspire awe and pride in equal measure.
For those who missed the July 13 displays, the team’s busy calendar offers plenty more chances to catch them in action throughout the summer and into autumn. From local festivals to international airshows, the Red Arrows remain a shining symbol of British aviation excellence soaring high above the clouds.
