Smiling Tom Cruise makes an unlikely appearance at Teesside Airport as Hollywood icon swaps his helicopter for a private jet

Tom Cruise cut a dapper figure as he arrived at Teesside Airport via private jet on Tuesday.

The Hollywood star, 60, greeted onlookers with his famous smile during the unlikely appearance in windy north east England from Florida.

The star’s entrance was worthy of a Mission Impossible film, as thick black smoke from the fire training school next to the airport was seen billowing out in the background.  

Wow: Tom Cruise cut a dapper figure as he arrived at Teesside Airport via private jet on Tuesday 

He was in good spirits following his long haul flight across the Atlantic, with the actor pausing for a chat with airport staff after exiting his plane. 

Cruise appeared to be using Teesside as a drop-off point before continuing his journey aboard a waiting helicopter, and the actor was seen inspecting the chopper before climbing inside with two female passengers. 


No stranger to mid-air drama, the actor – famed for performing his own stunts – recently filmed himself standing atop a small World War II biplane while it was flying over the Blyde River Canyon in South Africa.

Drama: The star’s entrance was worthy of a Mission Impossible film, as thick black smoke from the fire training school next to the airport was seen billowing out in the background 

Upbeat: The Hollywood star greeted onlookers with his famous smile during his unlikely appearance after travelling to windy north east England from Florida

Touchdown: Cruise’s private jet was seen on the airstrip after landing at Teesside airport

Hi, the name’s Tom: He was in good spirits following his long haul flight across the Atlantic, with the actor seen pausing for a chat with airport staff

Quite a gathering: Staff surrounded the actor as he stretched his legs after travelling to the  UK

Cruise performed the dangerous stunt in a short social media clip as he filmed scenes for Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two, the eighth film in the long-running franchise.  

The video shows the brightly-coloured planes soaring across the sky before coming down to land at the airfield. 

Cruise could be heard saying: ‘Hi everyone, wish I could be there with you, I’m sorry for all of the extra noise. As you can see I’m filming the latest installment of Mission: Impossible.

Nice ride: Cruise appeared to be using Teesside as a drop-off point before continuing his journey aboard a waiting helicopter

Impressive: The actor was seen inspecting the chopper before climbing inside with two female passengers

He’s pleased: Cruise looked impressed as he gazed up at the helicopter’s powerful rotars 

‘Right now we’re over gorgeous Blyde River Canyon in stunning South Africa and we’re making this film for the big screen for audiences to see in local theatres.’

The actor has been taking flying lessons at the airfield in preparation for an exhilarating scene in the new film, which is scheduled for release on July 7, 2023.

The film will star Tom alongside Hayley Atwell, Hot Fuzz star Simon Pegg, Swedish actress Rebecca Ferguson and The Princess Bride star Cary Elwes.