A JET pilot waved to his cabin crew sister through the glass of their respective planes as they flew in close formation above RAF Fairford.

Red Arrows ace Flt Lt Dan Lowes took to the skies for Saturday’s Boeing 747 flypast together with his sister Julia Lowes, a member of the British Airways crew in the jumbo jet – painted in BOAC livery to mark the centenary of the UK airline.

The display saw the giant airliner make two low passes over the runway at the Royal International Air Tattoo, flanked by nine Red Arrows jets.

Julia, who joined British Airways four months ago, said: “Dan and I have both pursued our dream careers, but to fly together is something I’d never have imagined.

“It was fantastic watching Dan in action from the BOAC aircraft. Aviation is a very much a family affair as our dad was a 747 Captain and our younger brother is a First Officer.”

Sq Ldr Martin Pert, team leader of the famous RAF aerobatics display team, said: “Flying alongside this British Airways Boeing 747 was an incredibly memorable moment for our pilots, wider team and those watching on the ground.”

And the flypast proved popular with the crowds. Andrew Statham, 48, who had travelled down from Manchester with his family, said: “I thought the flypast with the Red Arrows and the Boeing 747 was really amazing, really quite special. It was nice to see that old BOAC livery on the 747.”

Organisers said 170,000 people visited the air tattoo over the three days, with organisers selling out of tickets on Saturday.

Around 250 planes from across the world took part in the air tattoo, marking its 48th year at RAF Fairford. They included aerobatic display teams from Italian, Belgian and French air forces – as well as planes and helicopters from the British Army and the RAF.

George Coffey, 18, from Maidstone, Kent, said: “This is probably the best air show in the world. This is the third time I’ve been to RIAT. There’s such variety of aircraft here. You’ve got everything.”

Melville Kennedy, 72, from Rotherham, south Yorkshire, said: “It has everything. The flying programme – you can’t beat it. And the static display is absolutely marvellous.”

Grace Tischer, nine, from Swindon’s Old Town, told the Adver on Saturday: “I’m looking forward to the Red Arrows. They’re the most famous here.”