Red Arrows to fly with seven planes for most displays this year

For anyone who has watched the Red Arrows thunder across a Lincolnshire sky, this summer's displays will look a little different. The team that calls RAF Waddington home is scaling back from nine planes to seven for most of its 2026 shows.

The RAF confirmed the change is about managing the ageing Hawk T1 fleet as it moves toward replacement with a "future aircraft type".

The decision was taken by the Chief of the Air Staff to protect engineering resources and keep the fleet viable. The Hawk T1 jets have performed nearly 4,000 displays worldwide, but spare parts, including engines, are becoming harder to source. The government extended the aircraft's out-of-service date to 2030 back in 2021, buying more time, but the clock is ticking.

Seven-plane formations are not new for the team. The Red Arrows flew that way through much of the 1960s, and again in 2012 and 2022, so the display season will go on, just with a tighter shape in the sky.

The 2026 season begins this week with a flypast at the Battle of Crete commemorations. Displays will run from May to October, taking the team to shows across the UK, mainland Europe, and further afield. Last year, the team completed 56 displays across 15 flypasts over five months.

The full nine-aircraft formation will still appear for two high-profile occasions. The King's Birthday Flypast and the 4th of July 250th anniversary commemorations in the United States will both see the complete lineup in the air.

An RAF spokesperson said: "The Red Arrows are the pride of the nation, known globally for their world-class precision, speed, and teamwork. This will support the sustainable management of the Hawk T1 fleet and prepare the team for a transition to a future aircraft type."

No replacement aircraft has been announced publicly. Anyone wanting to catch the team in their Lincolnshire home skies should keep an eye on the RAF Red Arrows website for the full 2026 display schedule.