Where to see Battle of Britain Memorial Flight displays in 2023

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight are delighted to be displaying at a number of fantastic airshows and events this summer, which you can see below. Flying displays are subject to weather conditions and aircraft serviceability. 

The display season runs from May to September each year with pre-season work-up flying for the crews taking place during April, culminating in Public Display Approval being sought for each pilot from the Air Officer Commanding No 1 Group.

Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Visitor Centre

Find out about visiting the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Visitor Centre on the Lincolnshire County Council website.

Image shows Spitfire in flight.

During the display season all the aircraft fly regularly and its aircraft and crews deploy away routinely on display duties. Meanwhile, routine servicing and rectification work also takes place in the Flight’s hangar.

The BBMF is typically tasked to fly over 100 displays and around 800 flypasts at events of all shapes and sizes during each display season. This is around 1,000 individual aircraft appearances each year. The display programme takes careful and extensive planning. Each sortie involves several events, to maximise the opportunities within the limited aircraft flying hours available (the hours limits are imposed to ensure the aircraft’s long-term preservation).

During the winter season, October to March, the majority of the Flight’s aircraft (except for the Chipmunks) are kept on the ground for extensive winter maintenance to prepare them for the next display season and to ensure their long-term preservation. At least one of the aircraft is scheduled to undergo a ‘major’ maintenance programme each year, under contract, away from Coningsby.

Request a Display or Flypast 2023

Applications for the 2023 display season have now closed and, outside of exceptional circumstances, will not be considered. 

If you have applied for a flypast for the 2023 season, official allocation letters will be emailed to event organisers approximately two months prior to the date of your event.

Application forms for 2024 will be available here in April/May 2023 and should be submitted electronically to [email protected] Please be aware we are no longer accepting applications via post.

The deadlines for 2024 requests are as follows:

  • Display Applications: 30 September 2023
  • Flypast Applications: 30 November 2023

If you have any queries about the application process please contact the RAF Air Events Team at: [email protected]

Also send your completed electronic application forms to [email protected]

The Air Events Team can be contacted on the email above if you have any queries about the application process or on:

  • 020 8833 8063
  • 020 8833 8769

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