Red Arrows Touch Down in America — Baltimore Airshow This Weekend Marks First U.S. Public Performance

The Royal Air Force Red Arrows have touched down on American soil. After completing their historic eight-leg transatlantic ferry, the team arrived at Martin State Airport in Maryland. This weekend—June 27–28—marks their first public performance in the United States since 2019, and the aviation world is watching closely.

The nine-ship Hawk T.1 demonstration team will debut in America at Sail 250 Maryland & Airshow Baltimore, a free, family-friendly weekend celebration running across the Baltimore waterfront and Martin State Airport. Both days, the airshow runs from noon to 4 p.m., with Friday, June 26 reserved as a practice day open to spectators at Canton Waterfront Park.

Here’s what makes this appearance truly special: Baltimore is the only city among the five Sail 250 anniversary tour cities—New Orleans, Norfolk, Baltimore, New York, and Boston—to host an airshow, meaning this is your sole chance to see the Red Arrows’ full 22-minute aerobatic display during America’s 250th-anniversary celebrations.

A Four-Team, Four-Nation Lineup

Baltimore is hosting something unprecedented. Alongside the Red Arrows, you’ll witness the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, the U.S. Air Force F-16 Viper Demonstration Team, and France’s storied Patrouille de France—the first time four major military demonstration teams have performed together at a single American airshow. The Patrouille de France Alpha Jets will also be on static display at the Martin State Airport Open House (10 a.m.–5 p.m. both days), offering a rare close look at these iconic French trainers.

The Transatlantic Crossing — A Logistical Feat

Reaching Baltimore required meticulous planning. The Hawk T.1 has a maximum range of approximately 750 miles with no air-to-air refueling capability—forcing the Red Arrows to chart a circuitous eight-hop route spanning roughly 3,500 miles total: RAF Waddington to Stornoway, Iceland, Greenland, Northern Canada, and finally Maryland.

“The aircraft can only travel about 700–750 miles, depending on the weather conditions, in one go,” explained Squadron Leader Stuart Roberts (Red 10, 2026). “It’s a real challenge.”

The team departed June 17 and confirmed their presence in Iceland and Greenland before making the final push into U.S. airspace. They deployed 11 Hawks total—the nine-ship display team plus two support aircraft.

What You’ll See in the Sky

The Red Arrows will perform their full 22-minute display, assuming cloud base permits. At altitudes as low as six feet apart and speeds exceeding 400 mph, expect their signature maneuvers: tight formations, dramatic rolls, loops, and wing-overs. Weather permitting (cloud base above 5,500 feet), you’ll see the team’s full looping repertoire. A rolling display kicks in between 2,500–5,500 feet; below 2,500 feet, they’ll perform the flat display of flypasts and steep turns.

Worth noting: on May 23, 2026, the RAF announced the team will fly seven aircraft for standard aerobatic displays this season, reducing wear on the aging Hawk T.1 fleet ahead of its 2030 retirement. However, for commemorative appearances—including the Independence Day flypast over New York on July 4—all nine aircraft will fly.

What’s Next

After Baltimore, the Red Arrows continue across America: Jones Beach, New York (July 5–6), Brunswick, Maine (July 11–12), Ypsilanti, Michigan (July 17–19), and the crown jewel, EAA AirVenture Oshkosh (July 24–26). The July 4 New York International Aerial Review will feature over 140 allied and American aircraft, with the Canadian Forces Snowbirds also confirmed.

Admission to Sail 250 Maryland & Airshow Baltimore is free. The Martin State Airport Open House is also free and offers food vendors, aircraft displays, and the chance to meet pilots. Arrive early—past Baltimore harbor airshows have drawn substantial crowds.

Sources

• RAF Red Arrows Official Website
• Forces News — Red Arrows Transatlantic Ferry Coverage
• Sail 250 Maryland & Airshow Baltimore Official Event Information
• Martin State Airport & Glenn L. Martin Maryland Aviation Museum
• Royal Air Force Press Release — Operation Eagle Hawk