Overview
- The Red Arrows completed a published Waddington‑to‑Exeter routing on Friday, May 29, leaving RAF Waddington at 13:48 BST, flying over Banbury and RAF Brize Norton at about 14:10 BST, and landing at Exeter at 14:30 BST.
- After touching down in Exeter the team refuelled and prepared for an evening display at the English Riviera Airshow in Torbay and are then scheduled to appear at the Midlands Air Festival at Ragley Hall on May 30–31 within advertised evening windows.
- The RAF has set routine displays to use seven Hawk T1 jets because of ageing aircraft and spare‑parts pressures, but it will still deploy nine jets for the King’s Official Birthday flypast and for major overseas shows.
- Organisers published minute‑by‑minute routes so local communities could plan viewings, and some local outlets noted disappointment where flight paths omit counties while the Royal International Air Tattoo appearance has been cancelled.
- The May UK sorties form part of a wider 2026 season that includes ceremonial roles and a late‑June/July US tour to Baltimore, New York and Oshkosh and reflects the Hawk T1 fleet’s planned retirement timetable through 2030.