North West England

Are the Red Arrows Flying in Manchester Today?

Manchester sits beneath transit routes running west from Lincolnshire toward the Irish Sea coast. The city is not a typical display venue, but its position means the team can sometimes be spotted at altitude heading to Blackpool, Southport or Welsh events.

Red Arrows near Manchester — today
No upcoming Red Arrows activity is currently scheduled within range of Manchester. The most recent nearby activity was on Friday 5 June 2026 (Formation transit — ).

Seeing the Red Arrows around Manchester

Transits across the Pennines frequently route near Greater Manchester airspace. Major city-centre events have occasionally attracted a Red Arrows flypast.

Common viewing spots

Elevated ground at the Pennine fringe to the east (Saddleworth, Glossop) gives the widest horizons. Within the city, open spaces like Heaton Park offer clearer skies away from tall buildings.

📍 Transit from RAF Waddington, roughly 70 miles east.

Recent activity near Manchester

⚠ Proximity note: These entries are shown because a transit route or display area fell within approximately 22 nautical miles of Manchester. This does not mean the Red Arrows were visible from Manchester — transit routes may be at altitude and can follow a different track to the one published.

✈ Open the full route & display tracker →

Unofficial fan site — not affiliated with the RAF or MoD. Events are matched by geographic proximity (~22 NM of Manchester) to published NOTAM data and the official schedule. A transit route passing within range does not mean the aircraft were visible overhead. Always check the official Red Arrows channels before making plans. Not for flight planning.