What's it like to float over London just a little higher than the Shard?
We recently received an invitation to fly over the capital in the Goodyear Blimp. There is only one word of reply to an invitation like that, and it is "Squuueeeeeeeeeeeyesplease!".
The Goodyear Blimp has been flying in one form or another since 1925. It's a familiar non-fixture in the skies over major US sporting events and other celebrations.
It has flown over England on numerous occasions before. The first time was in 1972, when it visited the famous Cardington airship hangers in Bedfordshire. It's since returned for at least two royal weddings, a cup final and the 1985 Live Aid concert at Wembley, and was last over the Thames in 2022.
For 2026, the blimp has returned to mark the Fourth of July week (Goodyear being an American tyre and rubber brand, of course). They chose a particularly good week, with clear skies and bright sunshine. We were able to get some spectacular shots of the capital in all its parched summer glory.
Our flight took off from Damyns Hall Aerodrome, to the extreme east of the capital in the London Borough of Havering. Ascent is smooth, quick and much quieter than in a helicopter (though the three engines do make a reasonable hum). We immediately headed south to the QEII Bridge and Rainham, before following the Thames west into central London.
The passenger cabin is small, with room for about a dozen people. There is no door between the passenger area and the pilots' seats, and we were able to chat to the crew throughout.
This is one of four Goodyear blimps. It is the only one not based in America, and usually spends its time in the south of Germany. Flying over London is something of a novelty for the crew as well as the passengers.
From on high, we watch the sleek shadow of the airship pass along the roads below. Each time it envelops a vehicle, we wonder if the driver is startled into looking up, to see our 75-metre-long craft passing overhead. Most Londoners will never have seen a Goodyear blimp over their city before.
Except for take-off and landing, we are free to roam the cabin, taking shots from any of the wide windows. Two of them open, allowing reflection-free photography. There's even a toilet with a view — like the one in the Shard but even higher.
Goodyear blimps are, the pilot reassures us, about as safe as an aerial vehicle can be. They have three engines, and can still function on only one. Even if that fails, the craft will remain buoyant, and can be brought down gradually by releasing ballast. Their semi-rigid frames are inflated with helium (non explosive). This is kept at low pressure, so small holes would not cause the blimp to burst or whiz around like a party balloon.
The ride is smooth, with only occasional light turbulence from what little wind there is. I'm impressed at how green London is from above, whether parks, gardens or open fields. Even the centre has a wealth of greenery thanks to the many mature street trees.
We make a turn near Battersea Power Station and head back along the river. Before returning to base, we take a few turns around the QEII Bridge. The two giant shopping centres of Bluewater and Lakeside stand like commercial fortresses on the edges of Kent and Essex, respectively. Nearby, I spotted the actual historic fort of Tilbury.
We return to land after about two hours in the air. Two unforgettable hours and several hundred photographs. Passengers are offloaded in pairs, and replaced by two newcomers, to maintain optimal buoyancy during passenger loading. Incredibly, the blimp lands, changes passengers, and takes off again all within about five minutes.
What an incredible experience it was. Very few people get to fly in the Goodyear Blimp, and I am infinitely grateful to all at the Goodyear company who made it happen. Thank you!
