The Goodyear Blimp is back in UK skies, and it has been turning heads from Canary Wharf to Buckingham Palace. The legendary airship, celebrating its 101st anniversary this year, drifted over London this week, capturing exclusive bird's-eye images of the capital’s most famous landmarks — including Tower Bridge, The Shard, and the Palace of Westminster.
For staff inside the Daily Mirror’s London office, the sight was a welcome surprise. “I was one of the lucky staff who managed to catch a glimpse of it cruising past Canary Wharf,” wrote a reporter who spotted the giant from the window.
“Goodyear Blimp returns to UK skies, capturing aerial views of London landmarks as it celebrates its 101st anniversary.”
The airship will remain in UK skies until July 14, according to Goodyear. Ben Crawley, General Manager of Goodyear, said: “The Goodyear Blimp is a recognisable icon worldwide, and we're thrilled to see it return to the UK this summer. 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.”
This is not the blimp’s first visit. It first appeared over British skies in June 1972, flying over Cardington, Bedfordshire. Since then, it has witnessed some of the nation’s most historic moments: 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.
What makes the blimp even more remarkable is its rarity. According to The Sun, there are more astronauts than airship pilots, and only four Goodyear blimps exist — three in America and this one, operated by Zeppelin in Germany.
Enthusiasts hoping to spot it can track its live journey across the UK on FlightRadar24 using the registration number D-LZFN. Whether soaring over The Valley, home of Charlton Athletic, or gliding past Westminster Abbey, the iconic airship continues to draw eyes upward — a floating reminder of a century of British skies.