Eastbourne Airbourne 2025, Schedule, Flight Times, and Viewing Spots

Quick Answer

Eastbourne Airbourne 2025 ran from 14th to 17th August along the Eastbourne seafront, featuring the Red Arrows on all four consecutive days — a distinction no other UK show achieved that year. The event concluded with a Sunday evening firework finale near the Wish Tower at 9pm.

The next edition is already confirmed for 13th–16th August 2026, with several display teams and aircraft already announced.

Key Facts

• Eastbourne Airbourne 2025 took place 14th–17th August on Eastbourne Seafront, East Sussex.
• The 2025 show was voted Best Free UK Airshow.
• The Red Arrows performed on all four days in 2025 — the only UK show to feature them consecutively that year.
• The 2025 event ended with fireworks at 9pm on Sunday, launched from near the Wish Tower.
• 52 sea rescues were carried out across the four days in 2025, with temperatures peaking around 28°C on the Thursday.
• The 2026 event is confirmed for 13th–16th August.
• Confirmed 2026 displays so far include the Aerosuperbatics Wingwalkers, Rich Goodwin's Jet Pitts, the 'Spirit of Kent' Spitfire, the RAF Tutor Display Team, the Firebirds, the Starlings Aerobatics Team, and the Navy Wings Wasp.
• The Western Lawns site opens at 10.30am and closes at 5pm each day.
• A dedicated FM radio station, Radio Airbourne, broadcasts on 87.7FM during the event.
• Attendance is typically around 500,000 across the four days.

Why the 2025 Edition Stood Apart

The 2025 show arrived with a particular set of circumstances that made it noteworthy beyond the usual summer airshow circuit. Eastbourne Airbourne has long positioned itself as one of the UK's premier free seafront events, but the 2025 edition carried a distinction that no other show could claim: the Red Arrows flew on all four consecutive days.

That level of commitment from the RAF Aerobatic Team is rare. Most airshows secure one or two appearances across a weekend; securing the team for the full duration of a four-day event requires a level of coordination and planning that speaks to the maturity of the Airbourne organisation.

For spectators, it meant that whichever day they chose to attend, the headline act was guaranteed — a significant factor for families planning a single day trip rather than a full weekend stay. The 2025 show also demonstrated how a free event manages the tension between accessibility and operational safety.

The BBC reported 52 sea rescues across the four days, a figure that reflects both the popularity of taking a dip during the show and the preparedness of the lifeguard and rescue teams. With temperatures reaching 28°C on the Thursday, the combination of warm weather, a packed seafront, and thousands of people in the water created a demanding environment for emergency services.

That only 52 rescues were needed — and that all were handled — is a testament to the planning that goes on behind the scenes. The firework finale on Sunday evening, launched from near the Wish Tower, provided the traditional closing flourish.

For many locals, this is as much a part of Airbourne as the flying itself — a chance to watch the sky light up over the English Channel after four days of aviation spectacle.

What's Already Confirmed for 2026

The organisers confirmed on 1st October 2025 that Airbourne would return in August 2026, and the provisional lineup is already taking shape. While the full flying schedule is never published until closer to the event, the confirmed displays give a strong indication of what to expect.

The Headline Acts

The Red Arrows have not yet been formally confirmed for 2026, but their presence in 2025 — and the show's track record of securing them — makes their return highly likely. The organisers have stated that the air display typically features military fast jets, warbirds, helicopters, and aerobatic teams, with the Red Arrows as the usual centrepiece.

Returning Favourites and New Additions

Several displays have already been confirmed across the four days:

• Aerosuperbatics Wingwalkers — flying solo on Thursday and Friday, with a duo display on Saturday and Sunday.
• Rich Goodwin's Jet Pitts — an electrifying display confirmed for all four days.
• The Firebirds — high-speed manoeuvres on Thursday and Friday.
• The Starlings Aerobatics Team — performing on Saturday and Sunday.
• RAF Tutor Display Team — flying Friday to Sunday, supported by the Lansdowne Hotel.
• Navy Wings Wasp — performing on Thursday and Friday as a duet with the Royal Navy.
• 'Spirit of Kent' Spitfire — making its debut at the show, flying Friday to Sunday.
• 'Sally B' B-17 Flying Fortress — one of the most recognisable warbirds in the UK.

The Thursday 2026 lineup, as listed in publicly available schedules, includes the BBMF Dakota, Spitfire and Hurricane, the RAF Tutor Display Team, the Royal Navy Black Cats Solo Display at 3.35pm, a MiG-17, the P-51 Mustang 'Marinell', the AeroSuperBatics Wingwalkers, the Stampe Formation Team, the Firebirds, and Rich Goodwin's Jet Pitts. That Thursday schedule alone illustrates the breadth of the show: wartime warbirds alongside Cold War-era jets, modern military displays, and civilian aerobatic teams.

It is this mix that keeps Airbourne relevant to a broad audience — from aviation enthusiasts who want to see a MiG-17 to families who simply want to watch wingwalkers perform over the sea.

How to Choose Your Viewing Spot

One of the great advantages of Airbourne is that it is free to attend. There is no ticket gate, no grandstand fee, and no VIP enclosure required to see the flying.

But that doesn't mean every spot along the seafront offers the same experience. The layout of Eastbourne's seafront means that the quality of your view depends heavily on where you stand, what you want to see, and how much you value comfort over proximity.

The Western Lawns

The Western Lawns is the main site for the show, opening at 10.30am and closing at 5pm each day. This is where much of the ground-based activity takes place, and it offers a clear view of the display line out to sea.

If you want the full Airbourne experience — the stalls, the food, the atmosphere — this is the natural base. The trade-off is that the Western Lawns gets busy.

With attendance around 500,000 across the four days, the prime spots near the seafront railings fill up quickly on good weather days. Arriving early is the only reliable strategy if you want a front-row position.

The Wish Tower Area

The Wish Tower is significant for two reasons. First, it sits at the western end of the display area and offers a slightly different angle on the flying — particularly useful for photography, as the aircraft pass closer to the tower than they do to the central seafront.

Second, it was the launch point for the 2025 firework finale, making it the focal point for the Sunday evening closing display. For families, the Wish Tower area has the advantage of being slightly less crowded than the central seafront, and the nearby café and facilities make it a practical choice for a full day out.

The Pier and Central Seafront

The area around the pier is the most iconic viewing spot, with the aircraft flying directly parallel to the seafront. This gives the classic Airbourne experience: the roar of the engines, the smell of aviation fuel, and the sight of the Red Arrows trailing smoke over the water with the pier in the foreground.

The downside is twofold. First, the crowds are densest here.

Second, the pier itself can obstruct views if you're standing at ground level behind it. The best positions are on the seafront itself, between the pier and the Western Lawns, where the display line is unobstructed.

From the Sea

For those willing to pay, boat trips offer a genuinely different perspective. Sussex Boat Trips runs excursions during the show, with trips provisionally scheduled from 13:00 to 16:00 on each of the four days.

The exact timings are fixed closer to the event once the flying schedule is announced. The appeal of a boat trip is obvious: an uninterrupted, 360-degree panorama, with the aircraft flying directly overhead and the entire seafront as a backdrop.

It also avoids the crowds entirely. The trade-off is cost, and the fact that you're committed to a fixed time slot — if a display is delayed or cancelled, you're still on the water.

Practical Considerations

Several practical factors should shape your choice of viewing spot:

• Sun position: The sun is in the south for most of the afternoon, which means it will be behind the aircraft when they're flying over the sea. This is good for viewing but bad for photography — you'll be shooting into the light for much of the day.
• Wind direction: The display line runs along the coast, and the aircraft typically fly into the wind for takeoff and landing. On days with a strong onshore breeze, the sound carries differently, and the smoke trails from the Red Arrows can disperse quickly.
• Accessibility: The seafront is flat and paved for most of its length, making it accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs. The Western Lawns is the most accessible area, with the widest paths and the most facilities.
• Facilities: Toilet blocks and food outlets are concentrated around the pier and the Western Lawns. If you're positioned between the two, be prepared for a walk.

The Logistics of Attending Airbourne

Getting to Eastbourne for Airbourne is straightforward, but the sheer volume of visitors means that planning is essential. The show attracts around half a million people across four days, and the seafront infrastructure is tested to its limits.

Getting There

The satnav postcode for the show is BN21 4QL, which places you at the heart of the seafront. However, driving to the show is not recommended unless you have pre-booked parking.

The seafront roads are closed or heavily restricted during the event, and the public car parks fill early. The train is the most reliable option.

Eastbourne station is a short walk from the seafront, and the town is well-served by Southern and Southeastern services. National Rail operates a regular service from London Victoria, with a journey time of around 90 minutes.

On the final day of the 2025 show, the organisers issued a travel update noting that the last buses to certain destinations would leave early — a reminder that transport links can be stretched on the busiest days. National Express coaches also serve Eastbourne, with a stop near the seafront.

For those coming from the West, the A259 along the coast is scenic but slow on show days; the A27 is faster but less direct.

Timing Your Visit

The Western Lawns opens at 10.30am, but the flying typically doesn't start until later in the morning. The full flying schedule is published closer to the event, but the pattern in recent years has been consistent: a mix of displays throughout the afternoon, with the headline acts — usually the Red Arrows — flying in the late afternoon.

The 2025 schedule saw the show run until around 5pm each day, with the Sunday firework finale at 9pm. For 2026, it's worth noting that the organisers have confirmed there will be no firework display on the Sunday evening — a change from previous years.

This may affect your plans if you were intending to stay for the evening.

Accommodation

Eastbourne has a range of accommodation options, from budget chains like Travelodge and Premier Inn to independent guesthouses along the seafront. Booking well in advance is essential — Airbourne is the busiest week of the year for the town's hotels, and prices reflect the demand.

For those willing to stay slightly further afield, accommodation in nearby towns like Pevensey, Hailsham, or even Brighton (30 minutes by train) can offer better value, with the trade-off of a longer commute each day.

The Radio Airbourne Service

One of the more unusual features of Airbourne is its dedicated FM radio station. Radio Airbourne broadcasts on 87.7FM during the event, providing commentary on the displays, background music, and practical announcements.

It's a genuinely useful service — particularly if you're on the beach and can't hear the public address system, or if you want to know when specific aircraft are due to fly. The station is staffed by volunteers and has become a beloved part of the Airbourne experience for regular attendees.

Tuning in also gives you immediate access to schedule changes, which are common when weather conditions affect the flying.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Eastbourne Airbourne 2026?

Airbourne 2026 runs from Thursday 13th August to Sunday 16th August. The organisers confirmed the dates on 1st October 2025, and the show returns to the Eastbourne Seafront with the Western Lawns site open from 10.30am to 5pm each day.

Is Eastbourne Airbourne free to attend?

Yes. Airbourne is a free event, open to the public without tickets.

It was voted Best Free UK Airshow in 2025. However, if you want to watch from a boat, you'll need to book a paid trip with a provider like Sussex Boat Trips.

Will the Red Arrows be at Airbourne 2026?

As of the time of writing, the Red Arrows have not been formally confirmed for 2026. However, they performed on all four days at the 2025 show — the only UK airshow to feature them consecutively that year — and their return is widely expected.

Check the official Airbourne website or the Airbourne Insider newsletter for announcements.

Will there be fireworks at Airbourne 2026?

No. The organisers have confirmed that there will be no firework display on the Sunday evening of the 2026 show.

The 2025 event ended with a firework finale near the Wish Tower, but this will not be repeated in 2026.

What aircraft will be at Airbourne 2026?

Confirmed displays include the Aerosuperbatics Wingwalkers, Rich Goodwin's Jet Pitts, the 'Spirit of Kent' Spitfire, the RAF Tutor Display Team, the Firebirds, the Starlings Aerobatics Team, the Navy Wings Wasp, and the 'Sally B' B-17 Flying Fortress. The Thursday schedule also lists the BBMF Dakota, Spitfire and Hurricane, a MiG-17, the P-51 Mustang 'Marinell', and the Stampe Formation Team.

Where is the best place to watch the show?

The Western Lawns offers the full festival experience with the clearest view of the display line. The area around the Wish Tower provides a good perspective on the western end of the flying.

The pier area is the most iconic but also the busiest. For an alternative, boat trips offer an unrestricted 360-degree view from the water.

Reference Notes

Information in this article is based on publicly available sources. Some details may change over time.

Verify with official sources before acting. In particular, the full flying schedule for 2026 has not yet been published, and display confirmations are subject to change.

The organisers' decision not to stage fireworks in 2026 was confirmed via official Airbourne social media channels.