Airbourne is Eastbourne's air show, held on Eastbourne's seafront from Thursday until Sunday, usually two weeks before the August Bank Holiday weekend (see the airshow calendar for the date this year). This is a free show (an unsuccessful charging experiment in 2008 was not repeated).

There is usually a full programme of flying on all four afternoons; Thursday genearlly being the quietest. On Friday there is early evening flying. Expect four or so displays in particularly good lighting conditions with the sun lower in the sky.

As well as contemporary Nato aircraft, there are usually displays by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, light aircraft aerobatics and helicopters, often including an enactment of Search and Rescue, troop landings and/or casualty or vehicle recovery and a parachute team or two. For a better idea of the kind of flying to expect, see our show overview.

Eastbourne has a very long seafront. The aircraft can been seen from the Sovereign Harbour at the eastern extreme through to Beachy Head on the west. The flying line is more or less between the pier and the foot of Beachy Head, centred on an area called 'Western Lawns'. This is also where the events arena is. Look out for the Martello Tower (called the 'Wish Tower') which is on the edge of the Lawns.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are many excellent and unobstructed viewing areas in the centre of the flying line on the promenade in front of the Western Lawns and on the beach.

The arena is in the middle of the flying line so the major spectacles, including the airshow flying highlights, parachute landings and arena displays, can all be viewed from the almost same place - unlike some coastal venues where the flying highlights and arena events are some distance apart so you have to dash or choose between them.

The arena itself is also the focus for displays and family entertainment and is surrounded by the usual static military displays, trade stalls and amusements.

Non-air highlights include evening concerts in a bandstand along the promenade and a firework finale, preceded by a sunset fly past. Eating is a breeze as well, with hotels and other eating places all along the road that runs parallel to the promenade and other roads off it.