Aerial Collective Duxford Reviews 

From the moment we contacted Jack at Aerial Collective to the moment the flights landed, we could not have asked for better service or more experienced and passionate staff. Having organised a trip for my husband and his close friend Steve, Jack ensured they went up in their separate planes with pilots Brian and Nick at the same time to share the experience. Both Martin and Steve were blown away by the experience and the professionalism of pilots and ground staff. They also make it a great day out for family and friends who are there to watch. It is not often an experience lives up to high expectations but this was one of those occasions.

The Spitfire flight was something that I, like many, had dreamed of for very many years. As such, I was aware of the possibility that the reality may not have been able to live up to my expectations. I need not have worried. This trip was a treat for a memorable birthday and was the absolute highlight of the celebrations. The staff at Aerial Collective could not have been more helpful and made the day memorable not just for myself but also for my wife who was looked after with friendship and care. The flight itself was fantastic. To cloud chase whilst piloting a Spitfire, look out along that iconic wing and realise where I was and what I was doing are memories that will stay with me forever. The absolute icing on the cake was the simulated dog fight. The high speed chase around the sky gave me a tiny glimpse of how difficult it must have been to locate and engage another small high speed aircraft in combat. The close formation back to Duxford followed by a run and break was the perfect ending. A genuinely amazing day.

I hadn’t been to Duxford since I was at primary school so now 57 I decided to take my wife of 30 years and our now grown up family of three boys to explore Duxford museum.
I didn’t expect a spitfire on full power ready for take off to make tears run down my face .
Moving swiftly on one night about a fortnight later a few gins worse for wear I booked my flight in a spitfire,
No great adventure for some but I am a Norfolk boy whose feet have never left the ground before.
Having been a speed freak all my life the only thing I was concerned about was being sick while flying.
Ratty my pilot was an absolute star he eased me into flying before long we were doing victory rolls and barrel rolls .
Jack and all his associates were so welcoming the day was un believably.
The cost of the experience is high but then again flying in an eighty year old spitfire that saw service in France in WW2 is something else,i am not rich but I would have happily paid more .
How good was my day really-well I will be going again next year .

Did the Spitfire experience to mark my 50th birthday. This was something I will never forget, it was amazing and I am still processing it all now. The team were all very welcoming and professional throughout. My children were looked after well whilst I was up and were allowed great access to this beautiful spitfire when we landed. My pilot was “Rats”, quite a character and a fantastic pilot. We did barrel rolls, victory rolls, lovely climbing turns and we looped the loop! I particularly enjoyed just flying through gaps in the cloud and the more aggressive turns. It was all rather WOW. Thank you to all at Aerial Collective. What a special day to remember!

What an amazing experience! Aerial Collective laid on an amazing flight piloted by Rats, but very well supported by Jack, Thelma and George. 30mins of a once in a lifetime, bucket list adventure. Many thanks to all who made it such a great day; one never to be forgotten!

Firstly, I want to say the way you & your team hosted all my family was exemplary. They had an absolutely wonderful day at the “ringside”, some of them were more excited than me!

My day was, to use a quote a day of days, spectacular/memorable/never to be forgotten doesn’t quite cover it. I said to Lars my Pilot whilst we were in the air, prior to my 70th 5 years ago when asked by my wife what ideas I might have I responded with, “back seat of a fast jet”. He said “this is better isn’t it”? Yes it was by a considerable distance. Lars himself was superb to fly with & to be honest I probably didn’t do justice to the opportunity to take control - too frightened of breaking it 😱. However, the whole experience was extraordinary, I felt as I think many real spitfire pilots feel (felt) a part of the airframe. The aerobatics were an unexpected bonus I certainly in my wildest dreams never expected.

Please pass my thanks to all of your team & who knows maybe Lin will book me in again at 80 😂😂😂.

Good luck to you all keeping these old warbirds flying.

It was always my dream to sit in the legendary Spitfire since I was a kid and I finally made it happen thanks to the team of Aerial Collective at Duxford.

The whole team was very helpful, accommodating and on the first attempt the weather was not great and we could not fly. It was very easy to change the dates and I had to move it once more as my friends could not make it. Jack and the team were very flexible making sure I can the best experience possible.

I can't express enough how great this was and if anyone is considering to do such an experience, definitely go with Aerial Collective at Duxford. You get a video footage included in your package, you get also an entrance to the museum and the most important thing, you may have a chance to even get hands on the controls of the Spitfire. The feeling that you pilot this legendary plane can't be described in the words.

The pilot I had, David ‘Rats’ Ratcliffe, was just fantastic and we had so much fun during the entire flight.

An amazing experience from an operation that is well run.

From start to finish this fulfilment of a lifetime could not of been made any better. The welcoming, professional greeting and subsequent safety briefing were of the highest order. Jack, Selma and George - professional, knowledgeable and attentive. ‘Rats’ the Pilot, a character that harks back to yesteryear- so endearing, fountain of supreme knowledge and the most skilful of pilots. Then the star of the show itself- the plane, the enigmatic Spitfire. Supremely lithe, agile and a sheer beauty that has been the icon of dreams for so many years.
To this end I must offer my sincere thanks to all. A dream fulfilled and in a way that will never be forgotten. Thank you !

Exceptional experience,very professional outfit.

If you like flying and love Spits have strong constitution this is for you get in before H n S ban it Staff and experience unforgettable can not fault anything just hope for good weather

I bought a Spitfire flight for my husband and he’s not stopped grinning for a fortnight. It was the most wonderful experience for him and the Aerial Collective team who looked after him - Jack, Lisa, George, Selma and Lars - couldn’t have been more lovely. I was just a hanger-on and even I had a glorious time and was made so welcome. And there was orange drizzle cake; what more can I say!!

The staff were so good and welcoming . Had SUCH a good day . It was a present to My husband for special birthday , and as far as I’m concerned was well worth it. Husband had the best time. Stu was brave handing controls for short while and husband had extra frisson of a Hurricane flying besides him for a while.
Staff made the day, but goodness it is a very special experience. Recommend it to anyone who has an fancy .Many thanks to all.

As a 73 year old bloke enthralled by Spitfires since looking at the photos my dad had from his time flying in Lancs, I was rendered speechless when my darling wife presented me with an envelope on our anniversary with her gift of a flight in a Spitfire with Aerial Collective at Duxford!! To say we and our family had a truly memorable day would almost be selling it short. George,Jack,Lisa and Holly looked after us exceptionally well and Brian Smith my pilot was superb,allowing me to fly the aircraft for a while and performing the aerobatics we agreed on , including an 'Immelman'!! The weather,which had postponed the flight twice before, was perfect on the day too. Couldn't have asked for more. Can only endorse all the other five star reviews and add my fulsome recommendation.
Look after the Mustang guys. I'll be back.

What do you buy your husband for his birthday? Well if he has always had an interest in WW2 and airplanes there can only be one answer……Fly a Spitfire!

Having researched the possibility I found Arial Collective based at IWM Duxford, and what a fantastic find it was.

From start to finish the process was 1st class. The imaginative invitation brought a look of wonder and excitement to a grown man’s face. The helpful and attentive staff made us feel like VIP’s from the moment we arrived. Being able to spend time with Pilot Sam before and after the flight made the whole experience very personal.

How many people can say they have flown a Spitfire? Actually not only flown in it, done acrobatics and taken the controls!!!

Thank you to everyone at Arial Collective you made our day so special. My husband was excited when the invitation arrived, had a big grin on his face when he climbed into the Spitfire and had an even bigger smile when he landed. It is definitely a day he will always remember.

A flight with the Aerial Collective is a ‘must do’ for anyone interested in WW2 aircraft. Taking a flight with them is like stepping back in time. This is nothing like flying on a modern airliner. Sitting in the cockpit you smell and feel everything. It truly is an exceptional experience. Jack and the entire staff at the Aerial Collective work hard to make each flight a memorable experience.

I’ve made two flights with them: Spitfire in 2023 and Hurricane in 2024. I have also observed at least 5 other flights while I have been at Duxford. You can feel the excitement in the air as a flight is being prep’d for takeoff. The excitement continues upon landing as everyone lands with a huge grin on their face, myself included.

This is a once in a lifetime experience. If you are the least bit interested in WW2 aviation then you should reach out to Jack McBride at the Aerial Collective to schedule a flight. You will not regret it.

Awesome experience!
One of the best of my life, will stay with me forever.
The team at Aerial collective are really good, so friendly caring and helpful, would recommend them to anyone.

It was my 75th. birthday and at this age you tend to forget birthdays but not this one.
All the ground crew were fabulous and made sure from start to finish you had a 1st class experience and nothing was to much trouble.
My pilot Lars was so understanding and during the flight kept reminding me that it was my day and he went to great lengths to make it so memorable and at times emotional flying in such an iconic plane.
I have said to all my family that I am going to treat (they paid for this one) myself to another flight on my 80th birthday, as when you experience a day like that one, you will always want to come back for another.
Thank you once again Aerial Collective Duxford

As a pilot myself I can honestly say that from start to finish this was a VIP flying experience. The invitation envelope was a lovely touch and Jack and the Team made the booking, re-booking due weather and the day itself a really memorable experience. The set-up at Duxford really immerses you in the Historic Aircraft feel and guests were welcomed into the "picket paddock" right next to where the aircraft park. Jon, Chief Pilot, showed me what a Hurricane could do and I'm honoured to have been able to say "I've flown a Hurricane". Thanks to everyone involved especially Holly for hosting the guests. The quick Spit formation was an added treat.

Wow! I must recommend Aerial Collective at Duxford for a warbird flying experience. I had a superb, exhilarating Spitfire flight with them. The Aerial Collective team were wonderful and made it a very magical experience.

The Spitfire flight was even more amazing than I hoped and expected. The adrenaline feeling was literally breathtaking. The power of the Merlin engine is a dream and the sight I will always remember was looking at that beautiful wing from the cockpit as we rolled!

The pilot took me on a fascinating tour of military sites and I got to fly this beautiful aircraft. After a jaw dropping victory roll we then did a run and break. What a great pilot and a really stunning and memorable experience. Wonderful high quality video of the flight means I’m reliving the memories again and again.

Aerial Collective have a wonderful ground team. All were charming, helpful, caring, engaged and professional making it a pleasure for both myself and my guests.
They helped make the whole day very magical. Thank you🥰

They have many other great experiences and aircraft like the Hurricane, Mustang and of course the Lysander - I’ve got my list!