80th Anniversary VE Day Flypast: All You Need to Know
Flypast route for VE Day celebration: Timing and location for observation
In commemoration of the end of World War II in Europe, a grand military flypast is planned for May 5! This spectacular event, part of a four-day national celebration, will see the skies over London adorned with the colors of the British flag as the Red Arrows soar high.
The celebrations kick off at 1:45 PM with the flypast, following a military procession from Whitehall to Buckingham Palace, involving over 1,300 uniformed personnel and young people. Expect an impressive lineup of aircraft, including the Voyager transport aircraft, P8 Poseidon surveillance aircraft, Typhoon, F-35 fighter jets, and historic WWII-era planes, painting the skies with a breathtaking display.
Want to witness the spectacle from the comfort of your home? You're in luck! The flypast will pass over parts of Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Buckinghamshire, Cheshire, and Oxfordshire, allowing viewers across the UK to catch a glimpse.
To help you plan your view, here's the flypast route divided into zones with their corresponding time slots:
- Area A: North Sea, Suffolk, Norfolk, from 10:45 AM - 1:45 PM
- Area D: Essex (Colchester and Witham), 12:20 PM - 1:10 PM
- Area E: Essex (Witham) and London City, 12:25 PM - 1:10 PM
- Area F: London City and London Heathrow, 12:25 PM - 1:10 PM
- Area G: Buckinghamshire (Denham) and Cheshire (Halton), 12:45 PM - 1:25 PM
- Area H: Cheshire (Halton) and Oxfordshire (Brize), 12:45 PM - 1:25 PM
- Area I: North west London, 12:45 PM - 1:25 PM
Don't miss out on the action! Tune in to Sky News from 10 AM on Monday to catch Sarah-Jane Mee hosting a special programme from Canada Gate, Buckingham Palace. She'll be joined by Royal correspondent Rhiannon Mills, Alastair Bruce, and Sky's Midlands correspondent Shamaan Freeman-Powell, reporting live from the skies as part of the flypast.
Let's come together to honor the heroes of the past and celebrate the resilience of our nation!
Spectators who enjoy aviation may witness a reenactment of World War II planes alongside modern fighter jets, creating a unique blend of war history and sports aerobatics during the VE Day Flypast. On the other hand, sports enthusiasts tuning in to Sky News at 10 AM on May 5 could catch a special program covering the grand event, featuring live reports from the skies.
