News story

Watch the world’s biggest military air show online

On 18 and 19 July, The Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) moves online, featuring flying displays and a behind the scenes look.

This was published under the 2019 to 2022 Johnson Conservative government
The Red Arrows putting on a colourful red and blue display

The RAF Red Arrows display at the Royal International Air Tattoo 2019

For the first time in its 50 year history, the Royal International Air Tattoo is completely online and free to view. You can watch the Virtual Air Tattoo this weekend streamed on Facebook or Youtube.

This is a behind the scenes view of military air power with content from the Royal Air Force, International Air Forces and Aerospace Industry Partners. From 11am–3pm each day, videos will show past flying displays. There will also be virtual displays on flight simulation programmes across Europe, by skilled gamers streamed on their Twitch channel.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said:

This year’s Air Tattoo showcases the innovation of our Armed Forces with a virtual show that everyone can watch for free from the safety of their homes.

This includes the iconic RAF Red Arrows, an instantly recognisable symbol of the resilient British spirit and sense of community that we have all shared through these testing times.

Held every year at the RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, the Royal International Air Tattoo is in support of The Royal Air Force Charitable Trust. In past years, it has attracted 150,000 to 160,000 people over the weekend to watch the flying displays. Last year, 245 aircraft flew, including a Boeing 747 to mark 100 years of British Airways.

Links to download posters for the Virtual Air Tattoo, including a colouring in poster, are available below.

Virtual Air Tattoo colouring in poster

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Virtual Air Tattoo poster

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Updates to this page

Published 16 July 2020