AIRBOURNE

Eastbourne 2026

Spitfire banking over Eastbourne seafront
Supermarine Spitfire in flight
2026 show

AIRBOURNE

Eastbourne’s free international airshow. Four days, two miles of seafront, Merlin engines and a Channel wind.

Today’s flyingOpen spotter log

Free

No ticket. Just turn up.

13–16 Aug

Thursday through Sunday.

2-mile line

Holywell to the eastern beach.

Thursday 13 August

On the programme

Full four days

Seafront forecast

Thursday, 12:00–21:00

Cloud and wind over the display line. Tap through for the other three days.

  1. 12:00

    Clear

    E 5

    mph

  2. 13:00

    Clear

    SE 5

    mph

  3. 14:00

    Clear

    SE 5

    mph

  4. 15:00

    Clear

    SE 4

    mph

  5. 16:00

    Clear

    SE 4

    mph

  6. 17:00

    Clear

    SE 4

    mph

  7. 18:00

    Clear

    SE 3

    mph

  8. 19:00

    Clear

    S 3

    mph

  9. 20:00

    Clear

    S 4

    mph

  10. 21:00

    Clear

    SE 3

    mph

All four days

Western Lawns and the seafront

Last August on the two-mile line

The showground sits on Western Lawns, under the cream hotels, with the Wish Tower at the west end and the pier a short walk east. These are real photographs from previous Airbournes on this stretch.

The two-mile line — Airbourne on the seafront
Red Arrows over the cream hotels — a previous Airbourne
Chinook on Western Lawns — the showground
Western Lawns, looking toward the Grand
Wish Tower, the wheel, and the lawns
Lancasters over the Channel — Airbourne
Eastbourne Pier — on the display line
The Bandstand — reserved seats and the evening show

Spotter log

Tick them off as they go past

Tap a type for the airframe and the crew. Mark what you have seen — the log stays on this device.

0 / 18

Open the log
Western Lawns showground and the Grand Hotel

While you are here

After the flying

Eastbourne is more than two miles of looking up. The lawns close at 17:00; the town does not.

How to get here

Eastbourne station, then walk

Train — the sensible way

  • Eastbourne station is the stop. Southern from London Victoria (about 90 minutes), Brighton, Lewes and Hastings.
  • The seafront and Western Lawns are a 10–15 minute walk through the town centre. Follow the crowd once you leave the concourse.
  • Weekend trains fill after 17:00. Check the last train before the flying ends, and allow extra time. Under-5s free on Southern; kids from £2 on many tickets.

Car — possible, not pleasant

  • Seafront roads close or crawl before and during the show, especially Saturday and Sunday.
  • Use town-centre or station car parks and walk. Do not aim for a space on Grand Parade.
  • Leaving by car after the last slot is the slowest part of the day. Train home is faster.

Once you are here

  • Local buses link the station with the eastern seafront and Sovereign Harbour if you do not want the full promenade.
  • The display line is two miles. Pick a stretch and stay — moving during a jet slot wastes the pass.
  • Tune Radio Airbourne on 87.7 FM for holds, next aircraft, and the Black Cats times.

Play

Identify that aircraft

Ten pictures. Four options. No mercy for calling a Hurricane a Spitfire.

Start the quiz

Where to stand

Western Lawns, the pier, Bankers Corner, Holywell — pick a stretch of the two-mile line.

Open the guide

87.7 FM

Radio Airbourne. Commentary, hold notices, and why that jet just disappeared into cloud.

Tune in · air and online