Red Devils, Wasp and Spitfire Join Eastbourne Airshow Line-up

The world-famous Red Devils Army Parachute Display Team will take to the skies at Airbourne: Eastbourne International Airshow for the first time this August, in a thrilling skydiving display.

Dropping in on Saturday and Sunday from up to 10,000 feet, the legendary team will be performing an adrenaline-fuelled display of aerial choreography before a high-precision water landing in the sea.

The elite Army parachutists are one of six display teams debuting at the UK’s biggest free airshow this year in a sensational line-up from 13 - 16 August on Eastbourne seafront. Across the four days, spectators can look forward to a packed programme of fast jets, historic aircraft and aerobatic displays, including three performances from the RAF Red Arrows.

Also joining this year’s line-up and making their respective debuts will be the ‘Spirit of Kent’ Spitfire from Friday to Sunday, and the historic Navy Wings Wasp performing a duet on Thursday and Friday with the Royal Navy Black Cats helicopter display team.

These new displays join a packed line-up which includes a thunderous performance from Europe’s only flying MiG-17 Cold War fighter jet, and the roaring RAF Typhoon. Also on the bill is the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight – supported by Horder Healthcare, the Tutor – supported by The Lansdowne, plus The Starlings, Firebirds, Stampe Formation Team, AeroSuperBatics Wingwalkers, and of course crowd favourite, the Red Arrows.

Trailblazing National Aerobatics champion and Tiger Trophy winner, Isabel Rutland, will perform in the P-51D Mustang ‘Marinell’ – in the show’s first female piloted solo warbird display. Rich Goodwin will also now perform in his incredible Jet Pitts – the world’s first jet powered biplane – over all four days, instead of just two.

This latest announcement replaces the French and Austrian displays from Mélanie Astles Extra 330SC and the F-86 Sabre – with both teams having cancelled their remaining UK shows this season for technical reasons.

Eastbourne Borough Council’s Lead Member for Tourism & Place, Cllr Jenny Williams said, “Parachute displays are always a huge family favourite – so we are incredibly excited to welcome the Red Devils for the first time, and to witness this rare duet between the modern-day Black Cats and the historic Wasp. This year’s Airbourne really is going to be something truly special.

“We are only four weeks away from the greatest free airshow in the country – maybe even on earth! With seats and hospitality selling fast, now is the time to secure your spot, book your travel arrangements or parking in advance at cheaper prices, and then sit back and marvel at these astonishing aerobatic feats.”

Voted UK’s Best Free Airshow in 2025 (by Airscene), Airbourne hospitality is available, but quickly selling out on some days. The packages offer a choice of fine dining, premium BBQ or private cabanas – each with inclusive drinks options, along with exclusive seating areas, pre-bookable car parking and pre-ordering for the souvenir programme and pin badge, sponsored by PRG Marketing Communications.

In addition to RAF, Army and Navy ground displays, shopping villages, simulators and children’s entertainment areas, visitors can enjoy free pre-flying DJ sets each morning with Fergus and tribute concerts each evening at the Bandstand, with a firework finale on Sunday evening.

The flying line-up includes:

Red Arrows (Fri – Sun)

Typhoon (Fri – Sun)

Battle of Britain Memorial Flight: Dakota, Hurricane & Spitfire (Thurs – Sun)

Tutor (Fri – Sun)

Royal Navy Black Cats - solo display (Thurs – Sun) with Navy Wings Wasp (Thurs – Fri)

Red Devils Army Parachute Display Team (Sat – Sun)

MiG-17 (Sat – Sun)

P-51D Mustang ‘Marinell’ (Thurs – Sun)

Rich Goodwin Jet Pitts (Thurs – Sun)

The Starlings (Sat – Sun)

‘Spirit of Kent’ Spitfire (Fri – Sun)

Aerosuperbatics Wingwalkers (Thurs – Sun)

Stampe Formation Team (Thurs – Fri)

The Firebirds (Thurs – Fri)

Airbourne 2026 is supported by gold sponsor Horder Healthcare and silver sponsors The Lansdowne and The View Hotel, plus: Bella & Duke, Birchwood Chery Hastings, Brufords, Caffyns, Cloud Connx, Eastbourne Hospitality Association, Eastbourne News, Elite Medical, Environment First, Euro Self Drive, Frontier Fireworks, Full Range Fitness, Kent Surrey Sussex Air Ambulance, Metrobus, More Radio, Neighbourhood First, NTB Outdoors, PRG Marketing Communications, Pureprint Group, Stagecoach, Trafalgar Theatres, Visit Eastbourne, Your Eastbourne BID and Zephyr Tech.

Also supporting the show is Caffyns VW – the Eastbourne Airshow Official Pilot Transfer Sponsor dealership - providing net zero emissions pilot and logistic vehicles.

Fans can support the show and keep Airbourne flying high with a one-off donation or a monthly Ambassador pledge from as little as £2 a month at www.SaveAirbourne.com, with all proceeds supporting the flying displays at the show. Ambassadors pledging by 9 August will also be able to collect a limited-edition gold Ambassador pin badge at the show – while stocks last.

For more information or to book hospitality, seating, parking, pre-order a programme or make a donation visit www.EastbourneAirshow.com.