2026 marks a truly monumental year for UK general aviation and aviation history worldwide. We are celebrating exactly ninety years since the inaugural flight of arguably the most iconic aeroplane ever to grace British skies: the Supermarine Spitfire.

On the 5th of March 1936, chief test pilot Joseph 'Mutt' Summers took off from Eastleigh Aerodrome, which we now know as Southampton International Airport, in the prototype Spitfire, registration K5054. Following an eight-minute maiden flight, Summers landed and famously told the ground crew, "Don't change a thing."

That very design went on to change the course of the Second World War and became an enduring symbol of British resilience, engineering brilliance, and courage. Now, nine decades later, the UK is preparing to honour Reginald J. Mitchell’s masterpiece with an extraordinary, nationwide commemorative flying programme.

The Spitfire 90 Tour: A Nationwide Commemoration

At the heart of the 2026 celebrations is the 'Spitfire 90' tour, a joint initiative spearheaded by Spitfires.com in close partnership with the Royal Air Force and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF). Taking place over nine working days between Tuesday, 7th April, and Friday, 17th April 2026, the tour features a painstakingly restored two-seat Spitfire (BS410) that has been specially painted in the distinctive light blue-grey colours of the original K5054 prototype.

​The objective of the tour is threefold: to create a national event commemorating the first flight of the Spitfire, to showcase the technical advancement of RAF aircraft from 1936 to the present day, and to raise vital funds for aviation charities. The specially painted two-seat Spitfire will undertake a circumnavigation of mainland Great Britain, broken down into nine distinct flight legs. These nine flights represent the nine decades that have passed since the legendary fighter first took to the skies. It is a brilliant nod to history that will undoubtedly draw eyes skyward across the country, providing private pilots and aviation enthusiasts alike with a thrilling spectacle.

The Route and Itinerary

For those in the UK general aviation community eager to spot this historic aircraft, the route has been carefully planned to link airfields and locations with deep ties to the Spitfire and the Royal Air Force. The journey begins fittingly at Southampton International Airport on the 7th of April, returning to the very tarmac where the Spitfire story began.

​The planned itinerary is as follows:

• 7th April: Southampton Airport to RAF Coningsby

• ​8th April: RAF Coningsby to RAF Leuchars

  
  

• ​9th April: RAF Leuchars to RAF Lossiemouth

  
  

• ​10th April: RAF Lossiemouth to Glasgow Prestwick Airport

  
  

• ​13th April: Glasgow Prestwick Airport to RAF Valley

  
  

• 1​4th April: RAF Valley to MOD St Athan

  
  

• 1​5th April: MOD St Athan to RAF St Mawgan (Newquay)

  
  

• ​16th April: RAF St Mawgan to Exeter Airport

  
  

• ​17th April: Exeter Airport back to Southampton Airport

​Each departure (following the initial 12:00 pm launch from Southampton) is expected to take place around 10:00 am, subject to the ever-unpredictable British spring weather. General aviation pilots planning to fly in the vicinity of these airfields should pay close attention to NOTAMs, as airspace restrictions and temporary procedures will likely be in place to accommodate the commemorative flights and their fast-jet military escorts.

Flying with the Modern Royal Air Force

One of the most spectacular elements of the Spitfire 90 tour will be the escort formations. To visually demonstrate the evolution of British air power, the Royal Air Force will be providing escort aircraft for all nine legs of the journey. During the initial departure from Southampton, the prototype-liveried Spitfire will be joined by historic aircraft from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight before heading to RAF Coningsby, the home of the BBMF.

​Throughout the subsequent legs, modern RAF assets will join the Spitfire. Enthusiasts and spotters can expect to see the classic elliptical wings flying in formation alongside contemporary marvels such as the Eurofighter Typhoon, the F-35B Lightning, Chinook helicopters, Phenom trainers, and even the Hawk T1s of the Red Arrows. This juxtaposition of a 1930s piston-engine fighter alongside 21st-century military aviation will be an absolute photographer's dream and a poignant reminder of our national aviation heritage.

The Charity Auction: A Seat in the Cockpit

​Perhaps the most incredible aspect of this tour is that members of the public have the rare opportunity to actually fly in the rear cockpit of the Spitfire during these transit flights. Spitfires.com has opened an online auction for the passenger seats on each of the nine legs. The auction, which went live exactly ninety years after the maiden flight on the 5th of March, allows aviation enthusiasts to bid for what is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

​All proceeds from the flight auctions are being directed towards two fantastic causes: the RAF Benevolent Fund, which provides crucial support to serving and former RAF personnel and their families, and the Mark Long Trust, which supports disabled people in aviation. By opening up the cockpit to the public, the organisers are not only raising significant charitable funds but also ensuring that the Spitfire remains a living, breathing part of our aviation community rather than just a static museum piece.

​Shuttleworth Collection's Summer Air Show Tribute

The celebrations do not stop in April. For the UK general aviation community, the Shuttleworth Collection at Old Warden is hosting a monumental Summer Air Show on Saturday, 25th July 2026. To honour the 90th anniversary, Shuttleworth has set an incredibly ambitious goal: to assemble one example of every airworthy Spitfire mark currently based in the UK.

​If successful, this will provide an unprecedented opportunity to trace the physical evolution of the Spitfire from the Mk I right through to the later Griffon-powered variants. The Shuttleworth event will also pay tribute to the brilliant minds behind the aircraft. The Collection plans to fly their de Havilland DH.60X, the very type of aircraft that RJ Mitchell flew to better understand the practicalities of flight, as well as aircraft associated with legendary test pilot Alex Henshaw. It promises to be a quintessential summer day out for the GA community, featuring fantastic free ground activities and unmissable flying displays.

Conclusion: A Year to Remember for UK GA

Whether you are an active PPL holder, a student pilot, or simply a passionate aviation enthusiast, 2026 is shaping up to be an unforgettable year. The Spitfire is more than just an aeroplane; it is the ultimate embodiment of British aerodynamic design and a massive part of our shared cultural heritage.

Here at the PPL Club, we highly encourage you to keep an eye on the skies this April, double-check your local NOTAMs before you fly, and perhaps plan a fly-in or a road trip to one of the historic locations along the Spitfire 90 route to witness history in the making.