Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, an admission ticket allows you access onto the showground where you can browse all the static displays, trade stands, exhibitions and many other activities. There are also viewing lawns where you can sit along the crowd line and view the flying displays. Visitors are welcome to bring blankets, fold away chairs, picnics etc, which can be left at the Drop Zone (left luggage) situated in the Blue Service Station.

We do not need to have a 'family' ticket as children aged under-18 are free of charge and we do not restrict the number of children per adult. When placing your order on our website please do not forget to order the relevant number of free child tickets.

Children 4 years old and under do not require a ticket as long as they do not occupy a seat. Children aged 5 years and upwards require a ticket, but please note children under the age of 5 are not permitted in the Cotswold Club.

The admin fee charged per booking is comparable with other ticket sellers. It pays for the secure transaction facility, installation and maintenance of computerised ticket processing and ticket scanning hardware and software, telephone lines, labour and other costs associated with ticket purchase and delivery.

Yes, you can. Many of our visitors are leaving their cars at home and taking the coach/group travel option.

If you bring at least 20 adults and travel in one vehicle you will receive a coach operators discount . If you want to book at least 20 tickets but travel in separate vehicles we can still offer a discount.

When you order online at airtattoo.com you can print your e-ticket or show it on your mobile device at the entry point. If you have purchased enclosure tickets, you need to print off/show your admission ticket in the same way and the wristband, swing tag or lanyard pass, which gives you entry to the actual enclosure, will be posted to you with an information pack prior to the event.

When you placed your order you should have received an email with a link to the pdf of your e-tickets for you to print out.

If you did not receive this email (this may be because your email address was incorrect) or have deleted it in error you may download your e-Tickets by accessing your order on the website.

• Login HERE with the email address and password you used to place the order.
• Click on Completed Orders
• Click on the relevant order reference.
• Click on 'Download your e-Ticket'

The name on the ticket is for administration purposes and is the purchaser. Each e-ticket has a unique barcode which will be scanned at the entry gates to the showground. This scanning process then invalidates multiple uses of the same barcode.

All admission tickets/enclosures are sold on a non-refundable basis. However, should there be extenuating circumstances for requesting a refund we ask that you return your tickets by post along with an explanation and we shall consider your request after the event. For RIAT 2018 we must have received your refund request by Friday 27 July 2018. 

Please post to: Customer Services, RIAT 2018, PO Box 1940, Fairford, Glos GL7 4NA

Please be aware all tickets are barcoded and prior to any credits being made each ticket will be checked to ensure it has not been used for entry to the Air Tattoo.

All tickets are sold as non-refundable however If you need to change your booking this will only be possible if admission tickets for both days are still on sale. There will be an admin fee of £20 payable on all order changes.

If you require additional FREE child passes please just come to the entry point and any children under 18 arriving without a child pass will have a generic barcode scanned and will then be allowed access to the showground. 

You may be asked for ID/proof of age so bring some with you just in case.

People turning up at the entry gates without a ticket will be turned away.

Following the unfortunate need to cancel the 2008 Air Tattoo when the United Kingdom suffered a continuous period of rainfall over the preceding months, significant work was undertaken to make the showground and car parking arrangements for subsequent events at Fairford resilient in the face of such conditions. Had these been in place in 2008 the Air Tattoo would have taken place. These arrangements remain for all Air Tattoos staged at RAF Fairford.

For those wishing to sell their tickets, we request that you do not do this via sites like eBay. We actively monitor sites like this and if we are able to identify the seller we will contact them asking the tickets to be removed from sale. Instead, selling at face value to friends, family or colleagues is acceptable. 

The closing date to apply for a RIAT Disabled Parking Permit is Friday 6 July. To book please call our Customer Services Department on 01285 713 456 (Mon-Fri 8.30am-5.30pm).

Our Official Air Tattoo Campsite - provided by Tangerine Fields, is located just 5 minutes walk from the Yellow Pedestrian entry. Full details and how to book HERE.

Further camping details are available from our accommodation/local area page of the website.

We offer a Shuttle Bus service from Swindon Bus Station and a Park & Ride from Cheltenham Racecourse, details of these can be found here.

Full details on how to get to the Air Tattoo can be found here.

Local accommodation tends to be booked well in advance of the event and it is therefore best to book early. To find nearby accommodation please see our accommodation/local area page in the 'planning your visit' section of the website.

Due to the one way system that is in operation there is no feasible way to drop off or pick up at the Air Tattoo.

The only way to enable this is for a visitor to be dropped off at Swindon Bus Station and use the Shuttle Bus. The Shuttle Bus can be booked in advance with your ticket or purchased on the day, so long as you are in possession of a valid Air Tattoo admission ticket.

Friday 13 July, Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 July, the showground is open 7.30am until 7.30pm with a flying display from 10am until 5.30pm.

Tuesday 10 July: 7.30am - 7.30pm

Wednesday 11 July: 7.30am - 7.30pm. 

Thursday 12 July: 7.30am - 7.30pm. 

Monday 16 July: 7.30am - 4.30pm.

Due to the scale of the 2018 Air Tattoo and us needing to find more space for static aircraft, you will be directed to park on or off base on either grass or concrete, which will be done on a random basis. You can leave crash helmets/leathers etc. in our free of charge Drop Zone (left luggage) which is situated in the Blue Service Station. 

GL7 4EG will get you close to the event but once you pick up the colour coded AA road signs you should follow the signs and not the Sat Nav.

You can have re-admittance to the showground up until 5pm. Please check with the gate team before leaving the showground and they will give you more information and a hand stamp for re-entry.

Bicycles are not allowed on the Showground, however there will be a bespoke bicycle rack at each of the main customer entry points (Blue, Red, Green but not Yellow) for you to securely lock your bicycle. However, we don't mind if you lock your bicycle to the external fencing.

Due to the scale of the 2018 Air Tattoo and us needing to find more space for static aircraft, you will be directed to park on or off base on either grass or concrete, which will be done on a random basis.

The car parks are open from 6am on Friday 13, Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 July 2018.

Aircraft are only added to our participation list when we have written confirmation of their attendance. We start updating this in the new year. You can view aircraft confirmed on the aircraft participation page. This is updated regularly once we have started to receive confirmations. 

Where ever possible we try to ensure the 7-8 hour flying display for Friday, Saturday and Sunday is the same (albeit in a different order). However situations do arise when display acts tell us they can only perform on one day because of other commitments. 

Similar situations may arise when planning some of the Air Tattoo's trademark unique flypasts when operational constraints might only enable us to organise a once-only set piece.

We recognise that some visitors may be disappointed, it is our view that one day is better than no days. The Air Tattoo is grateful to all participants for taking part in the Air Tattoo and, on the rare occasions they can only perform a single display,  we believe our visitors would prefer one display/flypast rather than none.

We work with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) to agree the list of countries we wish to invite - and it's a long one! We write to the Chief of each air arm, inviting him/her and their aircraft to the Air Tattoo. We also send a copy of the invitation to their attachés at their Embassies in London and have a programme of visiting these in the Autumn prior to the following years' show. Finally, we follow up with letters to individual squadrons and tasking offices in each country.

Once we start receiving aircraft confirmations, usually a few months prior to the event,  the aircraft participation list will be updated weekly, on a Thursday at midday. There is more about the release of aircraft information in the FAQ above.

We request specific aircraft types for both the flying and static displays and if we get a favourable response, the operator generally decides whether they will fly or be part of the static display. As you would expect we work pretty hard, to entice the 'very special' aircraft to fly, but cannot always guarantee success.

The flying display running order planning starts in May but will change weekly due to the additions, cancellations and the changing requirements of participants. It is not properly finalised until the week of the show and even then it can change, for technical, weather and/or pilot health reasons.

Our policy is not to reschedule. If the weather or an incident affects any part of the flying display programme, then unfortunately, those scheduled to fly during the period in question will lose their slots. We believe this is the fairest policy to all the crews who have generously travelled from all around the world to take part in the Air Tattoo.

Sadly, given the configuration of RAF Fairford during RIAT, we have not been able to identify any location for parking armed aircraft that will satisfy the stringent MOD regulations covering explosive materials. This is not for the lack of trying!

There are numerous reasons why aircraft cancel, but operational commitments, higher priority tasking, technical issues and budget restrictions are the most frequent. When we receive notification of a cancellation we always go back to the operator to see if there is anything we can do to reverse the decision. Please be assured that we don't just take no for an answer!

Generally no, as the majority of military participants attend at their own expense, knowing the charitable purpose of our parent - the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust. However, in exceptional circumstances where we are contributing financially, then we do look to source a replacement. Of course, the closer to the show it is, the more difficult this becomes, but we never stop trying and in the past, deals have been struck with only two days to go - for both military and civilian aircraft!

As you are no doubt aware, the airfield will be incredibly busy over the period of the event with arrival and departure slots, and indeed dispersal space, at an absolute premium. For this reason we will need to limit aircraft visiting on a daily basis to only those operated by:

• Display Sponsors

• VIP's - military or civilian

Any initial post-show lost property enquiries should be directed to the Property Officer at Gloucester Police HQ at Waterwells, Quedgeley on 01452 753415. 

The information point at the Blue Service Station deals with lost and found children, please make your way there and/or inform a member of the Air Tattoo CREW. Please ensure any children you bring to the show to wear a child safety wristband, available from any entrance gate or information point.

Packed full with lots of helpful information and features, the Souvenir Programme is available at the entrance gates, Information Points and official outlets around the showground.

You can also buy your Souvenir Programme in advance (saving £3) as a click and collect option; you will be emailed a voucher to enable you to collect your copy on arrival at the show. Full details can be found here.

Yes, you are welcome to bring your own food and drink although mobile catering is also provided on the showground. You may bring fold away chairs or picnic blankets to sit on and can leave these and picnic/coolboxes in the free of charge Drop Zone (left luggage) at the Blue Service Station.

No, these are not allowed on the airfield, showground or the car parks.

Unfortunately dogs or any other animals are not permitted entry to the showground or Air Tattoo car parks. This is not only for health and safety reasons, but the vast majority of aircraft at the Air Tattoo are extremely noisy and very likely to cause distress to any animal. Please also note Police patrol the car parks and will take action if an animal has been left in a car.

A full range of catering units will be located at the three Service Stations and the Vintage Village. If you have specific dietary requirements we suggest you bring food with you as we cannot guarantee you will find exactly what you need on the showground. 

We also provide free water with a number of water bowsers located at each Service Station and around the showground.

Many babies/young children attend the Air Tattoo however we recommend ear defenders for babies/young children as the majority of aircraft displaying are extremely loud. There are many supplier of ear defenders for babies and small children and these can be ordered on the internet. We do not hire ear defenders. The Air Tattoo merchandise units sell ear defenders, however they may not be suitable for babies and very young children. 

We provide a free Drop Zone facility that will allow you to make the most of your day by leaving shopping, picnics and any other heavy items in a secure location. The Drop Zone can be found in the centre of the Showground at the Blue Service Station.

Yes there is. You can access free WiFi at our three Service Stations, as well as in the Techno Zone and Vintage Village.

The main Information Point is located in the centre of the showground at the Blue Service Station; you can also find two further additional Information Points in the Green and Red Service Stations.

The Air Tattoo Crew are also roving around to help you enjoy your day and have a wealth of information. They are easy to spot on the showground in their turquoise uniforms and large foam aircraft hands!

Cashpoints/ATM Machines will be available at each of the three Service Stations, as well as in the Vintage Village. These locations will be marked on the showground map. A small fee is charged for the this service.

Toilets can be found in numerous places; near each Service Station, in the Vintage Village and beside the Customer Entry Points in the Car Parks. If you have booked an Enclosure you will have access to private toilets. We ensure we have plenty of facilities placed throughout the showground that are easy to find; providing more than the recommended ratio of people to toilets.

Shelters are allowed up to 1.5 metres in height as are step ladders however they are not allowed within 10m of the crowdline so that they do not obstruct to the view of others. Full height gazebos/tents are not allowed. This will be policed and should the problem persist then you will be asked to leave the event, as stated on our T&Cs. 

There are two Park & View Enclosures, one situated at the East and one at the West end of the airfield. Both locations are signposted by yellow AA signs on the roads leading to the airfield. In the main, aircraft land and depart from the East end of the runway but this is dependent on the prevailing wind direction.

Tuesday 10 July: 7.30am - 7.30pm

Wednesday 11 July: 7.30am - 7.30pm.

Thursday 12 July: 7.30am - 7.30pm. 

Monday 16 July: 7.30am - 4.30pm.

Aircraft arrivals and departures, plus a number of aircraft will rehearse their display routines during the days before the show. Due to operation reason beyond our control a small number of aircraft may arrive or depart prior to or after the Park & View days.

A daily flying programme is available for purchase in the enclosures each day. These are prepared the night before and contain the times and details of aircraft movements for that day and are as accurate as possible however they maybe subject to change due to operations commitments, weather etc.

Tickets can be bought in advance or the day at either Park & View enclosure. Children under 18 are admitted free when accompanied by a paying adult.

Your ticket will allow you to move between Park and View East and West as you please during that day, but please note that no transport is provided between the locations.

FRIAT MACH-3 membership includes free admission to Park & View on Wednesday, Thursday and Monday. FRIAT MACH-2 membership includes free admission to Park & View on Monday. FRIAT MACH-1 members will need to purchase Park & View enclosure tickets separately as this is not included in the membership package.

Yes, but you cannot walk between the two enclosure locations within the airfield as they are at either end of the runway so several miles apart.

Yes, at both sites.

At both sites, from 6am each day, free of charge parking is on the airfield, on hard-standing for ticket holders in the Park and View enclosures. You are not permitted to view from within the car park if you do not have a ticket.

Cars can not be left overnight in the car parks.

Bicycles (but not motorbikes) can be locked to the fencing (inside the airfield), near to the main entrance gates at the owners own risk.

The Park & View East enclosure has a limited disabled parking area, on a strictly first come, first served basis. Please display your blue badge at the gate, where you will be directed accordingly. There is also a designated section on hard standing for wheelchair users within the enclosure.

The Park and View West enclosure has plenty of parking close to the enclosure for disabled use. There are disabled toilet facilities in both locations. Wheelchair users should note that both enclosures are mainly grassed over areas with uneven surfaces.

Catering is available at both Park and View sites, whilst Official Air Tattoo souvenirs are available at Park and View East only. Official Souvenir Programmes are available to purchase at both sites.

Unfortunately dogs are not permitted entry to the Park & View enclosures or car parks. This is not only for health and safety reasons, but the vast majority of aircraft at the Air Tattoo are extremely noisy and very likely to cause distress to dogs, due to their acute hearing sensitivity. Please also note Police patrol the car parks and will take action if an animal has been left in a car.

The Park & View East enclosure has a dedicated stepladder area. Stepladders may only be used in this area. There is no stepladder restriction in the Park & View West enclosure.