A packed programme of summer shows is getting underway for the Red Arrows with a new display featuring even more challenging formations, loops and rolls.
The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team was today granted official approval to display for the public in 2025, following completion of pre-season training and an annual assessment.
This marks the start of a busy season of events, with more than 60 displays and big flypasts planned across the United Kingdom and mainland Europe between May and October.
Squadron Leader Jon Bond, Team Leader and Red 1, said: “The Red Arrows are ready to go for 2025. Getting to this point is the culmination of six months of hard work from everyone across the whole team, planning and preparing an exciting new display to perform for crowds at home and overseas.
“We can’t wait to get going and look forward to seeing everyone’s images that so many airshow fans and aviation enthusiasts share with us online, as well as getting to meet people in-person at these events.”
The 2025 season is the Red Arrows’ 61st summer campaign and comes after a detailed assessment, known as Public Display Authority (PDA), covering all aspects of operations, was successfully passed.
The Red Arrows’ show routine changes each year, ensuring there’s always fresh additions to the nine-jet display for audiences to enjoy.
Sqn Ldr Bond, a former frontline RAF Typhoon pilot who is in his second year leading the Red Arrows, said: “In 2025, look for challenging shapes, such as the Big Battle arrival, Swan Loop and Typhoon Roll.
“The first half of this 23-minute show mixes the longest and widest formations in the Red Arrows’ repertoire, including Big Vixen – flown this year with air brakes extended and at almost full power to add plenty of excitement and colour.
“Having been brought back last season for the first time in two decades, the distinctive 5/4 Split at the halfway point is retained but also gets a splash of red, white and blue.
“People will also see new manoeuvres in the second half of the show, especially by the team’s rear section – known as Hanna. For the new Chainsaw move, a pair of jets are flown upside down, going head-to-head at 380mph, with the other two aircraft of Hanna crossing just 30-metres (100ft) apart.
“One aspect I really wanted to incorporate into the 2025 display was to finish the show with all nine aircraft in front of the crowd – so, in our full show, we’ll perform the Palm Split.
“In this move, the five jets of the front section – collectively known as Enid – are joined by Reds 8 and 9 to create a palm tree shape, with the Synchro Pair of Reds 6 and 7 performing opposition barrel rolls at the bottom of the palm, to provide a really big, arena-filling finale that hasn’t been seen for many years.”
Training for new season began at RAF Waddington, the team’s home base, in November last year.
Preparations then transferred, in March, overseas for Exercise Springhawk – first at Zadar, Croatia, and then Hellenic Air Force base Tanagra, in Greece.
This deployment allows the Red Arrows to make full use of more settled weather conditions, with the pilots flying up to 15 times a week to perfect and polish the new display. It also allows the whole team, both air and ground crew, to work even more closely together and get ready for the demands of a busy season.
The PDA process was overseen by senior RAF officers, led by Air Officer Commanding No 1 Group, Air Vice-Marshal Mark Jackson OBE BSc (Hons) RAF.
This comprehensive assessment checks all aspects of the team’s activities, from the new display itself and safety management to engineering procedures and engagement plans.
With PDA granted, the pilots changed from their green coveralls, used during training, into their traditional red flying suits worn during the summer season. Similarly, the Red Arrows’ ground crew were able to switch to their distinctive blue display coveralls.
This 140-strong support team comprises engineers, operations and mission support staff, as well as public relations specialists, RAF visual communicators and survival equipment technicians.
Wing Commander Adam Collins, Officer Commanding, Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team (OC RAFAT), said: “PDA gives us chance not only to look forward to a busy, new season but to look back and take stock of the incredible amount of hard work from people right across the team and beyond to get the Red Arrows ready for 2025.
“Teamwork and professionalism are key to everything we do, be it display flying, flypasts or ground events. We take pride in donning our red and blue suits to inspire, entertain and engage audiences in the UK and overseas.
“I hope people of all ages and backgrounds will enjoy our dynamic, colourful, precision display during the 2025 season and we look forward to meeting crowds at events this summer.”
The Red Arrows’ next public performance will be on Saturday, with a flypast over the Commonwealth Cemetery of Souda, Crete. The first aerobatic display of the summer season will be at the Midlands Air Festival on Friday, May 30.
For the full list of Red Arrows displays in 2025, visit the Displays page of the team’s website.
