Fly a Spitfire at Teesside Airport
Race off towards the skies over Teesside Airport and relive history in a legendary Supermarine Spitfire, the most iconic aircraft ever built.
What you’ll experience on your Spitfire flight
Your Spitfire flight from Teesside International Airport is more than a flight. It is an opportunity to experience aviation history, explore the North East from the air and, for a few unforgettable moments, become part of the story of an airfield that has been at the heart of British aviation for more than 80 years.
Heading east, the landscape opens towards the North Sea, with the coastline stretching away towards Redcar, Saltburn and beyond. Saltburn’s Victorian pier and distinctive coastline provide an impressive landmark from the air, while further along the coast the cliffs, beaches and historic villages of the Cleveland coast begin to unfold beneath you.
Further north-east lies Whitby, one of the most recognisable sights on the Yorkshire coast. From the air, the harbour, sweeping beaches and dramatic cliffs make a spectacular sight, with the ruins of Whitby Abbey dominating the East Cliff above the town. Inland, the character of the landscape changes dramatically. The distinctive outline of Roseberry Topping and the surrounding Cleveland Hills provide an unmistakable reference point, while the vast expanses of the North York Moors offer a completely different perspective from the cockpit.
Looking west, the scenery leads towards Darlington and the Tees Valley, while further afield the historic city of Durham provides another remarkable landmark. Durham Cathedral and Castle form a UNESCO World Heritage Site and create one of the most recognizable city panoramas in the region.
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The history and heritage of Teesside
As the Merlin engine comes to life and you begin your take-off roll, you are following in the footsteps of generations of RAF and Commonwealth airmen who once departed this same ground for operations across Europe. Teesside therefore offers a remarkable opportunity to fly from a site with a proud and deeply significant Second World War aviation heritage.
Originally opened in January 1941 as RAF Middleton St George, the airfield was built as a bomber station and became an important base for both RAF and Royal Canadian Air Force crews. From the moment you arrive, you are surrounded by the history of the airfield once known locally as Goosepool.
In April 1941, the first Whitley bombers of No. 78 Squadron arrived, beginning a wartime association with Bomber Command that would continue throughout the conflict. The station subsequently became an important Canadian base, with Wellington, Halifax and Lancaster crews operating from here between 1941 and 1945.
The wartime story of Middleton St George is particularly poignant because of its connection with the Royal Canadian Air Force. Among the airmen associated with the station was Andrew Mynarski, whose extraordinary bravery during a Lancaster operation over France in 1944 resulted in the award of the Victoria Cross. A memorial to Mynarski remains at the airport today, providing a tangible link with the men who served here during the war.
Other things to do near Teesside
Industrial heritage, wartime history and beautiful strolls make Teesside one of England’s most characterful regions – and the perfect destination for a whirlwind holiday.
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