King's Birthday Flypast 2026

The Red Arrows fly over The Mall for HM The King's Official Birthday on Saturday 13 June 2026 — one of the most iconic annual flypasts in the British calendar, and one of only a handful of occasions where all nine aircraft fly together.

📅 Saturday 13 June 2026 📍 The Mall, London ✈ Nine Aircraft
📡 Check the Tracker for NOTAM Timings 📅 Full 2026 Schedule
✈
All Nine Aircraft — A Rare Occasion
In 2026, the Red Arrows display in a seven-aircraft formation for standard airshow events, with Reds 8 and 9 held back to protect the ageing Hawk T1 fleet. The King's Birthday Flypast is one of the select national occasions where all nine aircraft fly together — making this one of the best opportunities of the season to see the full Diamond Nine.
📡 NOTAM Confirmed — Timing Data Available

A NOTAM has been published for the King's Birthday Flypast. Timing and route information is available on the tracker.

View timings and route on the tracker →
👑 What is the King's Birthday Flypast?

The King's Official Birthday is marked each June with Trooping the Colour — the sovereign's annual birthday parade — followed by a flypast over Buckingham Palace and The Mall. The Royal Family traditionally watches from the Palace balcony as RAF and other military aircraft pass overhead.

The Red Arrows lead or feature prominently in the flypast every year, typically routing in from the east and passing over The Mall before breaking away over central London. The flypast is one of the most-watched aviation events in the UK calendar, with crowds lining The Mall and surrounding parks for hours beforehand.

The 2026 flypast takes place on Saturday 13 June 2026. The exact time is confirmed via NOTAM closer to the event — typically mid-afternoon, following the parade.

🌤️ Weather Outlook – Saturday 13 June 2026

Forecast conditions look favourable with classic early-summer weather expected:

  • Overall: Sunny and warm
  • High: ~23°C (afternoon peak)
  • Low: ~13°C (overnight)
  • Wind: Gentle westerly breeze
  • Rain risk: Very low
  • UV: High (sun protection recommended)

Morning starts bright and mild (~14°C at 0700), warming steadily to around 20°C by midday, then peaking at ~23°C in the late afternoon (1600–1700).

⏰ Likely Timing for the 2026 Flypast

The flypast is scheduled to follow the Trooping the Colour parade at :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}, which traditionally concludes with the Royal Family appearing on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.

Based on established sequencing and aviation planning notices, the flypast window is typically:

  • Main parade start: Late morning (around 1000–1130 BST)
  • Parade conclusion: Early to mid-afternoon
  • Flypast: Expected to start around 1300 BST

Exact timings are confirmed through official aviation notices issued closer to the event. These are published in UK Aeronautical Information Circulars and NOTAM supplements, such as:

Official AIP Supplement (EG_Circ_2026_M_049)

These documents typically define the precise routing corridor over central London, including the approach from the east and the break-off manoeuvres over the city before dispersal.

📍 Where to Watch — Viewing Spots

The flypast route passes along The Mall from the direction of the City, over Buckingham Palace and beyond. The best viewing positions are along or near this corridor — all free and publicly accessible, but very busy. Arrive early.

The Mall
The prime viewing location — the aircraft pass directly overhead along this straight ceremonial road. Standing room only, crowds gather from early morning.
⭐ Best spot
St James's Park
Open parkland adjacent to The Mall with wide sky views. A great option if The Mall itself is too crowded — the aircraft are clearly visible from across the park.
⭐ Best spot
Green Park
Open ground just north of The Mall — good sky clearance and slightly less crowded than The Mall itself. Easy Tube access from Green Park station.
✓ Good option
Victoria Embankment
Further east along the approach route — the aircraft will pass overhead before reaching The Mall, giving a slightly different angle on the formation.
✓ Good option
Hyde Park
Open space to the north — the formation may be visible depending on the approach route, but further from the primary flypast axis than St James's Park.
✓ Reasonable option
⚠ Central London will be extremely busy on the day. Roads around The Mall and Buckingham Palace are closed for the parade. Plan travel via Tube (Green Park, St James's Park, Victoria stations) and arrive well in advance.
✈ How to Follow the Flypast

The King's Birthday Flypast generates a UK CAA NOTAM — usually published in the week before the event. This site's tracker will try to pick it up and show the route and timings when available.

For live tracking on the day, Flightradar24 is the most accessible option — search "REDARROW" once the aircraft are airborne. ADS-B Exchange (press 'U' for military filter) often shows the formation during the transit into London even if FR24 loses them.

Follow @RAFRedArrows on X on the day — the team typically posts as they depart and confirms the flypast is going ahead.

Unofficial fan site — not affiliated with the RAF or Ministry of Defence. Flypast timings and routes are from publicly available NOTAM data and subject to change.
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