Fly a Spitfire at Leeds East Airport
Take off from Leeds East Airport and soar through the skies in an authentic Supermarine Spitfire, making history come alive with every turn.
What you’ll experience on your Spitfire flight
Flying from Leeds offers a rare opportunity to connect with the past while enjoying the thrill of a genuine Spitfire flight. As you soar above Yorkshire’s rolling countryside, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views that showcase the natural beauty of the region.
The airfield’s convenient location near Leeds, York and the wider Yorkshire area makes it easily accessible for visitors across the North. With a premium private airport experience and top-tier facilities, every detail of your visit is designed for comfort and authenticity.
Your flight will be expertly piloted in an original World War II Spitfire, delivering a powerful and unforgettable adventure through the skies of Yorkshire and neighbouring counties.
Spitfire Flight Reviews
It starts with a booking. It ends with a memory you’ll never forget.
The history and heritage of Leeds East
RAF Church Fenton (Leeds East) opened on 1st April 1937 as part of the RAF’s massive pre-war expansion program in response to Hitler’s move to increase the strength of the German armed forces.
Designed as a fighter base from the outset, Church Fenton was tasked with protecting the industrial regions of Leeds, Bradford, Sheffield and Humberside. During this period, the airfield was home to many squadrons and aircraft types, such as Spitfires, Hurricanes, Mosquitoes, Blenheims, Beaufighters, Typhoons and Mustangs.
From the start of the war until August 1940, Church Fenton was a sector station in 13 Group. It saw many battle-scarred fighter squadrons passing through, or stopping to rest up and return to operational status. It later became a night-fighter Operational Training Unit, with 54 OTU forming at Church Fenton.
Between May 1942 and the end of the war, squadrons were employed on offensive sorties on targets in northern Europe. But they also carried out defensive sorties with the DH Mosquito night fighter to stop German intruders bombing local cities. RAF Church Fenton was also well placed to offer some defence against marauding bombers heading in from Norway and later night fighters lingering around the bomber airfields.
After WWII, Church Fenton remained an RAF station, seeing squadrons of Meteors through to the Hawker Hunter in residence. The very last Spitfire operator was 609 Squadron in 1950, who arrived with their Spitfire XVI.
Getting airborne from Leeds East, you’re close to the historic city of York and can soon see out towards the Humber Estuary. The East coast and route through to the industrial towns in the Midlands and Yorkshire were regular targets of the Luftwaffe, as were the airfields in Lincolnshire.
You can head out towards the historic port of Grimsby and the scenic East Coast, a route regularly patrolled by the RAF during WW2, or head up towards the impressive Yorkshire moors. South, you can head into Derbyshire and Ladybower reservoir, the site of many practice runs by the legendary 617 squadron in their Lancasters, preparing for the Dambusters raid.
Other things to do near Leeds East
Yorkshire has been shaped by centuries of British industrial, military and engineering history. So while you’re with us, make a plan to explore the region’s rich and vibrant heritage.
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Book your Spitfire flight at Leeds East
Set the date and start counting down to the moment those Merlin engines roar to life.