Sky-High Stunts
If you were unaware, an airshow is an event where aircraft perform aerial displays for the masses. They've got the noise, the thrills, the spectacles, and plenty of jaw-dropping stunts. And we have ranked the best ones in America.
25. Bethlehem Lehigh Valley Air Show
2022 highlighted Lehigh Valley Health Network's MedEvac operations. At this show, a local Martin Guitar factory crafts custom "Aviation Series" instruments. Here, the unique "Science of Flight" STEM fair goes with such aerial shows. Plus, the Moravian history display connects early settlers to aviation innovators.
24. Smoky Mountain Air Show
Knoxville's McGhee Tyson Airport revived the show in 2016 after a 16-year hiatus. The 2022 event featured a rare Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey tiltrotor demo, while the "Hot Ramp" even let visitors touch F-16 cockpits. Oak Ridge National Lab, associated with the show, brings out aviation-related tech innovations for the public.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/39463459@N08/7551285720
23. Arctic Thunder Open House
Alaska's scenery is the background for America's northernmost major airshow, held at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER). In 2022, the new Air Force One VC-25B was released to the public. The "Fallen Warrior Ceremony" pays tribute to service members based in this state.
U.S Air Force photo, Airmen First Class Laura Turner, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
22. New York International Air Show
In 2022, the U.S. Air Force introduced the "Slow-Mo" demo team featuring the C-17 Globemaster at the Stewart International Airport. They paid tribute to the "candy bomber" Gail Halvorsen with a C-47 candy drop. The local F-16s from the N.Y. Air National Guard proudly represented their home state.
United States Air Force, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
21. Hyundai Air & Sea Show
The Hyundai Air & Sea show is a super fun event that happens every year over Memorial Day weekend at Miami Beach. The show includes offshore powerboat racing exhibitions and extreme water sports. Plus, you get to see performances by the U.S. Navy F-18 Rhino Demo Team.
20. Holloman AFB Legacy Of Liberty Airshow
This airshow is fairly new to the game because the first edition took place in May 2022. Holloman Air Force Base is famous for training F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots and MQ-9 Reaper pilots and sensor operators. The base has a long history that dates back to WWII.
U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Christopher Boitz, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
19. Oregon International Air Show
This one switches between Portland and McMinnville airports. The 2023 show was EPIC! It showcased the world's only flying De Havilland Mosquito. And the "Drone Light Show" involved 300 synchronized drones. The event also collaborates with local tribes for Native American Heritage Day. Love to see people taking up such initiatives.
Cpl. Conner Robbins, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
18. Minneapolis Air Expo
Flying Cloud Airport is where you'll find Minnesota's biggest air show. In 2022, they had the world's only flying B-29 and B-24 together. Local hero Gerry Beck was also honored with a missing man formation. There were also 3M tech demos showing off cool aviation inventions.
United States Air Force, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
17. National Cherry Festival Air Show
The National Cherry Festival Air Show is a highlight of the annual National Cherry Festival held in Traverse City, Michigan, over West Grand Traverse Bay. The show is free to attend, but there are ticketed seating options if you want a better view. It first took place in 1959 and has always been loved.
16. Wings Over Wine Country
You can expect tickets for this to cost between $10 and $25, and kids 10 and younger get in for free. The air show features local legend Jon Melby performing knife-edge passes in a Pitts S-1-11B. It's an annual event that takes place at the Schulz-Sonoma County Airport in Santa Rosa, California.
siamesepuppy, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
15. Maxwell AFB Thunder Over Alabama
Another event where you'll get to see some impressive displays of military aircraft, including F-22 Raptors, F-16 Fighting Falcons, and A-10 Thunderbolts. It is held at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama yearly. This year, it successfully took place on April 6th and 7th.
United States Air Force, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
14. CenterPoint Energy Dayton Air Show
There are interactive displays, food stalls, and entertainment for everyone. Being close to the U.S. Air Force Museum gives it some historical flair. There are special shout-outs to the Tuskegee Airmen, celebrating the history of aviation. Mark your calendar for the next show coming up in June 2025.
MrGuilt, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
13. Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo
Since 1997, the Sun 'n Fun has awarded over $1 million in aerospace education scholarships. Florida's largest convention celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2024. The event featured everything from vintage planes and homemade aircraft to warbirds, jets, and light sport aircraft.
Ahunt at English Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons
12. San Francisco Fleet Week Air Show
You can catch the Blue Angels flying between the Golden Gate Bridge towers at this show. In 2022, they did the first-ever "Bay Area Universities" formation flight. And to add to the fun, there's a "Parade of Ships." The Coast Guard is also out there, rescuing people in challenging conditions if/when needed.
11. Pensacola Beach Air Show
Over the green Gulf seas and sugar-white dunes, you can see the Blue Angels fly. Also, remember to check out Skip Stewart's modified Pitts "Prometheus," which pulls off some crazy stunts. The show is basically about honoring the incredible history of naval aviation in Pensacola.
Balon Greyjoy, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
10. Chicago Air And Water Show
Something awesome happened at this airshow in 2023: the first all-women Air Force Heritage Flight team took to the skies. The event included performances by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and also the U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights. And during the "photo pass," planes cruised by low and slow.
9. Wings Over Houston
"Tora! Tora! Tora!" show reenacts the Pearl Harbor attack with cool pyrotechnics. In the "Warbird Area," you can get up close and personal with history. Additionally, the "Missing Man" formation pays tribute to fallen aviators. The event has donated over $1 million to local charities since it started.
Landmark9254, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
8. Thunder Over Louisville
B-25 bombers to F-35s—this show begins the Kentucky Derby celebrations with a big bang. It started in 1989 as part of the Kentucky Derby Festival's opening ceremonies and is known as the "Thunder of Groceries," which includes a C-130 dropping food for charity.
Kentucky Derby Festival, Flickr and Aroun Kesavaraj, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
7. Cleveland National Air Show
The air event takes place at Burke Lakefront Airport, which was built on land reclaimed from Lake Erie. It is also where the SR-71 Blackbird was first shown to the public. One of the best things about the show is "Legacy Flight," where they pair up old warplanes with modern fighters.
Paul M. Walsh, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
6. MCAS Miramar Air Show
The nation's biggest armed forces air show brings "Top Gun" to life. Last year, the POW/MIA flag celebrated its 50th anniversary at the event. You can also catch civilian aerobatic teams like Vicky Benzing, Aaron Deliu, and Ed Hamill and experience the impressive "wall of fire" pyrotechnics.
Cpl. Jessica Lucio, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
5. EAA AirVenture Oshkosh
This is nicknamed "aviation's family reunion," and that's apt! During the week of AirVenture, Wittman Regional Airport becomes the busiest in the world, with more than 10,000 aircraft arriving. A remarkable B-29 Superfortress known as "Doc" impressed audiences in 2023.
JJN1991, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
4. Yankee Air Museum Thunder Over Michigan
Willow Run Airport, which used to be a B-24 plant, recently had the biggest gathering of flying B-25 Mitchells. Last year, there were 12 B-25s reenacting the Doolittle Raid. They also paid tribute to Rosie the Riveter. And and and! You can even take a ride on the "Flying Fortress" B-17.
Tech. Sgt. Manuel Martinez, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
3. Reno Air Races
Experiencing the "world's fastest motorsport," where planes race wingtip-to-wingtip at speeds of 500+ mph, is nothing short of crazy. But after a crash in 2011, they beefed up safety measures. Last year (2023), a record 8-time Unlimited class champion, Steven Hinton, was crowned.
tataquax from Japan, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
2. Bethpage Air Show At Jones Beach
At this oceanfront event, F-22 Raptors put on a show soaring over the waves. In 2023, around 180,000 people lined the shore to watch. The pilots also performed a touching "Missing Man" formation to honor fallen personnel. The whole event took place against the stunning backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean.
Air Combat Command United States Air Force from Hampton, Wikimedia Commons
1. Dayton Air Show
Aviation's birthplace, Ohio, hosts a unique "parade of planes" taxiing past crowds. Watchers get a thrill from Sean D. Tucker's stunning "Sky Dance" in his special Oracle Challenger III. The 2024 show was extra special because it marked the 50th anniversary of the Dayton Air Show.
United States Navy, Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Daniel J. McLain, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
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