Travel bucket list idea:
Fly in a WW2 plane – Spitfires, Tiger Moths & more
Duxford, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom (UK)
Credit Shutterstock.com/kev Hughes
Last updated: 30 November, 2024
The ultimate aerial experience for history lovers, Classic Wings at IWM Duxford offers the chance to fly in a vintage Tiger Moth or Spitfire – two of World War II’s most iconic fighter planes.
Flights range from a short hop over the airfield, to longer trips over Cambridgeshire and even London. If being a passenger isn’t exciting enough, it is possible to book trial flying lessons in the Tiger Moth.
The Spitfire is perhaps the most famous of all World War II planes; to see it in action, book a wing-to-wing tour, where you fly alongside in a Dragon Rapide – or go up in the Spitfire itself as a passenger. All the planes are authentic WWII aircraft that participated in the war, either in training or battle action.
Logistics
Price from: £149
Minimum age: 18
Age suitable: 18+
When: All year around
Duration: Variable
Getting there & doing it
Duxford is just off the M11, a few miles south of Cambridge, (about a 1.5-hour drive from London). The easiest way via public transport is train from King’s Cross to Cambridge (about 50 minutes) and then the C7 bus from the station to Duxford.
All flight experiences must be booked in advance through Classic Wings. The cost includes a fast-pass entry to IWM Duxford. Some flights have set durations, others (for example the Tiger Moth flight) can be 15, 20, 30 or 40 minutes.
Wear comfortable clothes and closed shoes (no sandals). Flying gear (jacket and helmet) is provided but in the colder months, take gloves.
When to do it
Flights can be pre-booked from Tuesday to Sunday, from April to October. There are no flights in the winter months. If the weather is bad, flights are cancelled and rescheduled.
