This year marks 90 years since the first flight of the Supermarine Spitfire. To celebrate this milestone, the Royal Air Force and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) are collaborating with industry partner SPITFIRES.COM to honour the anniversary of this iconic aircraft. A two-seat Spitfire, painted to replicate the original K5054 prototype, will embark on a historic tour of the UK, with SPITFIRES.COM offering the public the unique opportunity to fly as a passenger. The event will also raise funds for two important charities: the Mark Long Trust, which supports disabled individuals in aviation, and the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund, which provides vital assistance to serving and former RAF personnel and their families.
On 5th March 1936, Captain Joseph ‘Mutt’ Summers piloted the first Supermarine Spitfire prototype, K5054, from Eastleigh Aerodrome, what is now Southampton International Airport. After just eight minutes in the air, he famously declared, “Don’t change a thing.” Ninety years later, this historic moment will be commemorated with nine special flights across the UK.
AIR EVENT
Starting on Tuesday, 7th April 2026, nine flights are scheduled to commemorate 90 years of the Spitfire, with the event totalling approximately 15 flying hours.
For the first flight, the Spitfire will take off from Southampton International Airport, the site of its first-ever flight. During each flight, the Spitfire will visit historic locations across the UK that are connected to its legacy. The BBMF, which operates five Spitfires of its own, will join ‘K5054’ in the air during the first commemorative flight before escorting it to its first landing location at RAF Coningsby, the home of the BBMF.
Throughout the remaining commemorative flights, modern Royal Air Force assets will also join the Spitfire prior to the aircraft’s arrival at each subsequent landing location. These flights will showcase the evolution of RAF aircraft over the years, set against the backdrop of the nation’s most iconic fighter aircraft.
The commemorative flights will visit the following locations:
1 - Southampton – RAF Coningsby
2 - RAF Coningsby – RAF Leuchars
3 - RAF Leuchars – RAF Lossiemouth
4 - RAF Lossiemouth – Prestwick
5 - Prestwick – RAF Valley
6 - RAF Valley – MOD St Athan
7 - MOD St Athan – RAF St Mawgan (Newquay)
8 - RAF St Mawgan – Exeter
9 - Exeter – Southampton
CHANCE TO FLY IN A SPITFIRE
Members of the public have the unique opportunity to take part in this once-in-a-lifetime experience and feel the thrill of flying in the rear cockpit of this iconic aircraft. The flights are scheduled to take place over nine working days between Tuesday, 7th April 2026, and Friday, 17th April 2026. Seats on these exclusive flights will be auctioned by Spitfires.com, with proceeds going to the Mark Long Trust and the RAF Benevolent Fund.
For the first flight, the Spitfire will take off from Southampton International Airport, the site of its historic maiden flight. During each journey, the Spitfire will visit historic locations across the UK that are connected to its remarkable legacy. Modern Royal Air Force assets will accompany the Spitfire, escorting it into each landing location and showcasing the evolution of RAF aircraft over the years.
AUCTION DETAILS
The auction will go live on Thursday, 5th March 2026 and close on Sunday, 22nd March 2026. The auction site can be found at: www.spitfires.com/spitfire90
