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

The famous Red Arrows have taken to the skies today to 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 flew over the south of England, including Buckingham Palace, this afternoon.

Some of the jets that took 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 took place today?

A military procession took place in London, starting off at Parliament Square at 12pm before finishing just before 1pm.

It consisted of around 1,000 members of the Armed Forces from the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force and 23 aircraft will from the Royal Air Force flypast.

The procession began with chimes from Big Ben, followed by Sir Winston Churchill’s 1945 victory speech spoken by actor Timothy Spall.

As the procession moved down Whitehall, it passed the Cenotaph, through Admiralty Arch and up the Mall, members of the royal family including King and Queen, Princess Royal and the Prince and Princess of Wales watched the event along with veterans from the Second World War.

Politicians including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, London mayor Sadiq Khan, Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch also joined veterans on the Buckingham Palace garden steps to watch the flyover.

Seven military bands were involved in the procession, including The Band of The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment on horseback.

Shortly before 1.45pm, Charles and Camilla went out on the Buckingham Palace balcony with William, Kate, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis and Princess Anne, as well as a number of members of the royal family.

They began watching the Red Arrows flypast route, which started off with a number of warplanes including a Second World War-era Lancaster from The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, a Voyager, the A400M Atlas, and the C17 Globemaster.

Other aircraft included the P8 Poseidon MRA1, Typhoon FGR4, Rivet Joint and F-35B Lightning.

Members of the crowd could be heard cheering as the aircraft flew over the palace and the Mall this afternoon.

The spectacular display ended with The Red Arrows flying through the sky, releasing their red, white and blue smoke.

The Royals then retreated back inside the palace to host a tea party for the veterans and their family members in the palace’s gardens.

What was the Red Arrows VE Day flypast route?

The display began over the North Sea off the cost of Norfolk before heading inland over East Anglia, Essex and London.

The planes then dispersed over Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.

Each area covering the potential route was 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.