Shuttleworth Summer Air Show 2026

Saturday's Summer Air Show at Shuttleworth delivered on every front. Glorious weather, a packed flying line, and a Spitfire tribute that made the whole day feel like a genuine occasion rather than just another display on the calendar.

Perfect Conditions

Bedfordshire turned it on. Clear skies and warm sunshine all afternoon meant the Collection's aircraft could fly to their full programme, and the crowd could actually enjoy it without one eye on the clouds. It's easy to forget how much a good display owes to good weather, but days like this remind you.

The Spitfire Anniversary: The Real Highlight

This year marks 90 years since the Spitfire's first flight on 5 March 1936, and Shuttleworth built the show around it properly rather than as an afterthought. Ten Spitfires took to the air, spanning different marks from across the aircraft's wartime evolution, and seeing that lineage laid out in the sky was genuinely special.

The nod to designer R.J. Mitchell was a lovely touch too, with the de Havilland DH.60X, the same model Mitchell himself flew to get a feel for flying, joining the display. It grounded the whole tribute in a bit of history rather than just being a formation flypast.

Given ticket sales for this show were reportedly up more than 120% on last year, it's clear the anniversary struck a chord well beyond the usual crowd.

In Short

A brilliant day out: sunshine, a strong flying programme, and a Spitfire tribute that did justice to one of aviation's most iconic aircraft. Shuttleworth will be hard-pressed to top this one next year.