Royal International Air Tattoo 2026 General Discussion Thread

[jasonT1981]

theme is Fighter meet for 2026

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=12 ... 6428003193

[Gary]

Also a VIP transport sub theme

Next summer also marks 30 years since RIAT was granted Royal status, celebrated with a ‘Royal Flight’ sub-theme featuring VIP transport aircraft past and present.

[seven]

Fighter meet has alot of potential, asuming things actually confirm and turn up. Some good opportunities missed there though with recent and upcoming retirements.

VIP might be ok for the reg/serial takers, but can't think of anything of interest that's likely to turn up there. Unless that rumour of a VC-25 has merit-lol.

[James Cutting]

Surprised there's no mention of 100 years of the Swedish Air Force.

[jasonT1981]

That would be an anniversary theme not a show theme. I still expect one of the sub themes to be Swedish 100th

[James Cutting]

Good point!

[Steven]

Now that the theme has been revealed I have created the 2026 Discussion thread.

[nashwa]

Not saying it isn’t a very good theme, but based off the initial reaction I wouldn’t be surprised if it struggles to meet the very high expectations already put on it, it seems people have read “fighter meet” and have already built high hopes for any and every type under the sun to make an appearance. But still only time will tell when announcements start next year.

[POL]

Fighter Meet is perhaps as vague as you can get, short of "aeroplane meet".

The advantage for RIAT is two Typhoons and an F-16 can turn up and they're able to tick the box to say they've achieved it.

[James Cutting]

I was about to say something similar, one of those things that's more than broad enough to tick a few of the critera and if things cancel it's "Well we've still met the theme with X"

[KevinJ]

That's suggesting they don't try their very best to get as much as possible, which is wrong. If a invited jet doesn't turn up it's not because of the staff at Bader House, it's usually down to the invited nation declining.

[James Cutting]

Wasn't my intentions with that, nor pointing any fingers at all. Was just echoing some others comments elsewhere online.

I'm quite happy to be back next year (missed this years) for 3 days so am looking forward to it.

[James Cutting]

The official Air Tattoo Instagram account has commented on the F-22 Demo Team's account an emoji of 2 eyes in response to their post about their 2026 schedule coming soon and "where would you like to see us"

https://www.instagram.com/p/DRdh3o8Dpwq/

(Probably a ploy to increase ticket sales, thinking about it! )

[100arw]

The organisers of RIAT want to construct a 700-pitch campsite on farmland near RAF Fairford, where the military airshow takes place each year. Royal Airforce Charitable Trust Enterprises says it wants to expand the customer experience by offering camping at Manor Farm, Kempsford.

RIAT is seeking permission from Wiltshire Council to create two campsites on either side of the road between Marston Meysey and Maisey Hampton.
In previous years the fields have been used to provide temporary car parking.

This campsite would be for paying customers. There would be 466 pitches on the land to the north east of the road, and a further 239 in a field to the south west – a total of 705 pitches.

The sites would be open to tent campers, caravans, and campervans.

Facilities would include 12 blocks of six temporary toilets, 12 blocks of six temporary showers, two reception areas, a picnic area, and a tented entertainment area.

RIAT needs to obtain planning permission for the siting of caravans and campervans, but says it is willing to limit the number of caravan pitches to 50. Each pitch would measure 10 metres by 8 metres.

It is proposed that the campsite will only be open/occupied from the Wednesday before the event weekend to the Monday after, to accommodate both visitors to the event itself as well as Park and View visitors. But to allow flexibility the company is applying for permission for 28 days annually.

Campers will be able to get camping tickets of up to five nights when they book their entry tickets.

RIAT, in its application to Wiltshire Council, has included plans for the management of waste, traffic, noise, and other potential nuisances.

They promise the fields will be returned to the landowner in spotless condition, so that agricultural use can be resumed as soon as the campsite has been cleared.

P.

[James Cutting]

Replacing Green Car Park, I believe.

[jasonT1981]

USAF ACC schedules due this week. Get ready for a lot of "There's a gap RIAT weekend"

[iainpeden]

Replacing Green Car Park, I believe.

Appalling idea, much discussed on the RIAT 26 thread on UKAR.
Essentially they are offering a park and ride scheme (in 100 buses!) from South Cerney to replace green car park.and making green route an access for buses. All traffic from green will now be directed along the blue route. If you have a Saturday ticket get in the queue by Thursday.
The supposed rationale is to make RIAT greener.

[starfighter]

Surely the best way to look greener is not to have an airshow , bit like being a vegan restaurant, but serves great beef .

[iainpeden]

Surely the best way to look greener is not to have an airshow , bit like being a vegan restaurant, but serves great beef .

As a long term attendee- everyone since 1977, F(R)IAT since ‘83 - all I will say is “don’t give the new CEO ideas.”

[James Cutting]

F-35 and F-22 US Demos out - Nothing for RIAT, of course but we know they wouldn’t announce before RIAT do (though the RIAT dates are booked) who knows