The number of Britons taking to the skies in the near 90-year-old Spitfire has increased by more than a third (35 per cent) in the last 12 months.
With March marking 88 years since the World War II plane took its first flight, it doesn’t appear to be dwindling in popularity with Spitfire flight experiences accounting for nearly a quarter (24 per cent) of all flying and leisure activities booked through FlyDays.co.uk in the last year, ahead of gliding, microlights, indoor skydiving, parachuting and aerobatic flights.
Furthermore, vintage plane experiences were also on the up and were the third most popular aircraft package booked in the same time frame, representing nearly one-in-ten (8.5 per cent) bookings from the UK’s leading flying experience provider.
However, it was private helicopter packages which proved the most popular in the last year with the British public, making up around two thirds (61 per cent) of the total bookings.
Dan Jones, operations manager at FlyDays.co.uk, said: “We have analysed thousands of bookings over the last year and it is great to see that Brits’ love affair with the iconic Spitfire is stronger than ever.
“With the values of these planes increasing and the number of Spitfires still in flight reducing in recent times, we have seen demand on the up as people are starting to view this as a once in a lifetime experience that they don’t want to miss out on.
“Helicopters are perceived as one of the most luxurious ways to travel and have been favoured by the rich and famous for years, but in recent times prices for helicopter experiences have in fact reduced making them more accessible and the perfect celebration present or an alternative to a meal out.”
For more information about FlyDays.co.uk, or to book a flying lesson, visit www.flydays.co.uk