Aviation enthusiasts across Greater Manchester will be looking up to the skies tonight to catch a glimpse of the famous Red Arrows flying overhead.
The RAF Aerobatic Team wowed crowds at the Southport Airshow in Merseyside this weekend and will return to their base at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire after the event concludes this evening.
The iconic red jets will fly over parts of northern Greater Manchester on a route that will take them from Liverpool, through our region, over the Peak District and then across Nottinghamshire to the RAF base.
LEARN MORE: Map of Red Arrows flight routes and where to see them over Greater Manchester on Sunday
The journey should take around half an hour and jet spotters will need to make sure they are ready and waiting if they don’t want to miss it. The Red Arrows fly relatively low in the sky during their transit flights, so you should be able to see them up close if you’re in the right spot.
After taking off from Merseyside, the Red Arrows are expected to fly over Wigan, Bolton, Bury and Rochdale shortly after 7.20pm.
Now in their 60th season, the Red Arrows continue to wow crowds around the world with their stunning aerobatic manoeuvres and are a regular highlight of Southport’s annual aviation event.
Follow live updates as the Red Arrows fly over Greater Manchester in our blog below…
19:43Amy Walker
England’s iconic colours are displayed in the sky as the Red Arrows fly over Lincoln
The Red Arrows put on a stunning aerial display, displaying England’s colours of red and white as they flew through Lincoln.
19:39The important event
Red Arrows spotted in Lincoln wearing England colours
The Red Arrows were captured flying over Lincoln.
They displayed the iconic red and white in support of England who play Spain in Euro 2024 tonight.
19:35The important event
The red arrows deviate from their flight path
It appears that the Red Arrows have deviated from their flight path. Those waiting in the northwest unfortunately missed out on a glimpse of this iconic landmark.
Speaking of X, one person said: “So not only are the red arrows now on their flight path, but they left 15 minutes earlier, I just checked to see if they had left yet and they are already in Lincoln. What a shame, I wanted to see them again.”
Another person said: “About 76,000 people were at Peak waiting to see the Red Arrows come down the Hope Valley and Red1 looked at his watch, realised there was not much time left until kick-off, and they went straight back to Waddo and missed us.”
19:04The important event
Another amazing video from the Southport Airshow
Here’s another amazing video from the Southport Airshow.
In this video, the Red Arrows perform a breathtaking display in the sky. The video was shared on X.
18:59Amy Walker
VIDEO: The incredible Southport flyover
This incredible video captures the Red Arrows flying over Southport.
Red, white and blue are captured forming huge hollows in the sky above the beach.
18:41Amy Walker
Sunsets and Red Arrows over Preston
Sonia Bashir posted this incredible X-rated image of the Red Arrows from her attic window in Preston.
The view is perfectly framed by the setting sun.
18:39Amy Walker
A vibrant photo of Formby
Liam Blundell posted this epic photo of the Red Arrows above Formby on X, formerly Twitter.
18:27Amy Walker
In Pictures: Aerosuperbatics’ Impressive Wingwalkers Perform Saturday
The brave and impressive Aerosuperbatics Wingwalkers also put on a spectacular show yesterday. As two people danced and posed atop the super-fast planes, the crowd applauded in awe.
18:07The important event
Exact times you can see the Red Arrows flying over Lancashire, Greater Manchester and the Peak District
The Red Arrows are scheduled to leave Liverpool at 19:20, first via Knowsley. Between 19:23 and 19:27, the Red Arrows will fly from Appley Bridge in West Lancashire to Littleborough in Rochdale, taking in Standish, Wigan Golf Course, Horwich, Eagley, Greenbooth Reservoir and Birch Hill Hospital.
The full flight schedule is below.
- 7:20 p.m. – Liverpool
- 7:22pm – Knowsley
- 7:23 p.m. – West of Appley Bridge
- 7:27pm – East of Littleborough
- 7:33 p.m.: – North of Grindleford
- 7:34pm – North West of Matlock
- 7:37 p.m.: Around Lake Thoresby
- 7:41 p.m.: Waddington
The route and times may be subject to change depending on the weather conditions of the day.
You can read more here.
18:05Fionnula Hainey
In pictures: Fun for all the family at Southport Airshow
The Red Arrows aren’t the only attraction at the Southport Air Show. There’s also a range of civil and military aircraft, a flight simulator and much more.
17:58The important event
Map of the Red Arrows’ routes as they fly over Greater Manchester
If you want to know exactly where the Red Arrows will be flying tonight, this route map shows you the flight path they will take.
The map shows the routes for the display (red route) and the return flight to the base (blue route). You can see the map on Google here.
Find out more about the route the Red Arrows will take and the exact timetable here.
17:57Fionnula Hainey
In pictures: Red Arrows put on a stunning display at Southport Airshow
The Red Arrows performed two aerobatic displays at the Southport Airshow over the weekend. Here are some pictures of the team as they wowed crowds on Merseyside.
17:17Fionnula Hainey
What areas of Greater Manchester will they fly over?
The Red Arrows will fly over the north of Greater Manchester on their return journey to Lincolnshire.
The team will fly over the boroughs of Wigan, Bolton, Bury and Rochdale before descending over the Peak District.
You can expect to see them in Standish, Horwich, Eagley and Littleborough among others.
17:14Fionnula Hainey
Where are the Red Arrows now?
The Red Arrows have just completed their display at the Southport Airshow and will return to Liverpool Airport, where they are based, for the weekend.
The team are preparing to make their return journey to RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire, their permanent base, shortly after 7pm.