Spitfire Flights from Lee-on-Solent with Spitfires.com

Solent Airport sits right by the coast in Hampshire, serving as a base for these Spitfire experiences. The setup here uses a hard runway, making it straightforward for takeoffs and landings.

From this spot, a quick hop gets you over the Solent waters toward the Isle of Wight’s Needles landmark in about six minutes. That leaves room for loops, rolls and victory rolls before heading back. Longer options stretch out over the English Channel, giving more time in the air.

Spitfires.com runs these trips in their own TR9 models, like SM520 and BS410, both built for two. No need for prior flying skills; the pilots handle the briefing and guide you through. Once up, passengers often get a turn at the stick, from a brief taste to extended control if you fancy it.

The team fits you with proper helmets for safety, and everything ties back to honouring wartime history with a carbon offset thrown in.

Prices start at £3250 for the core flight, covering the whole setup from pre-flight chat to touchdown. Add a chase plane for £1500 if you want mates or family along to snap photos from another aircraft.

Bookings go through the site with flexible refunds if plans shift, per their terms. They operate year-round, though summer sees more action, and winter slots depend on weather.

The outfit, once called Boultbee Flight Academy, holds the edge as the first cleared for passenger Spitfires in the UK. They’ve clocked over 1000 flights this season alone, with in-house mechanics keeping things tip-top. Chase plane spots let up to five join, turning it into a group affair.

Reviews on TripAdvisor give it a solid 5/5 rating, with Traveller’s Choice nods for three years running. Flyers call it surreal and emotional, especially when flying alongside or taking the controls. One described sitting in the cockpit as wonderful, fulfilling a lifelong dream. Another hailed the whole thing as a fantastic birthday thrill from start to finish.

Professional yet relaxed staff get praised, alongside stunning coastal views and must-do aerobatics. Hundreds of glowing takes highlight how it leaves people breathless and moved.