The Goodyear Blimp has returned to UK skies, marking its 101st anniversary with a flight over London that produced exclusive bird's-eye images of the capital's most famous landmarks. The airship, which first graced British skies in June 1972, will remain visible until July 14.
Iconic Landmarks Captured from Above
The blimp captured breathtaking aerial views of Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge, The Shard, Westminster Abbey, and the Palace of Westminster. It also passed over Canary Wharf, where it was spotted by staff at the Daily Mirror London office. Other notable sights included London Bridge train station, the Isle of Dogs, and The Valley, home of Charlton Athletic.
Historic Return After Four Years
Ben Crawley, General Manager of Goodyear, expressed delight at the blimp's return. "The Goodyear Blimp is a recognisable icon worldwide, and we're thrilled to see it return to the UK this summer," Crawley said. "For over 100 years, it has been an iconic presence at cultural and sporting events, and we've been eagerly anticipating its first flight in the UK since 2022."
A Century of UK Milestones
Since its first UK flight in 1972 over Cardington, Bedfordshire, the blimp has witnessed historic events including the 1981 royal wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana at St Paul's Cathedral, the 1980 FA Cup Final, and the Live Aid concert at Wembley Stadium in 1985.
How to Track the Blimp
Enthusiasts can track the blimp's live journey across the UK on FlightRadar24 using registration number D-LZFN. The airship is expected to continue flying over British skies until July 14, offering more opportunities for spectacular aerial photography.
