There are numerous military a airshows
across the continental United States and beyond worth visiting. During the world-famous 2024
Farnborough International Air Show, the US Air Force added numerous aircraft
. However, it is also possible to see many of these iconic aircraft at airshows in the United States this autumn. Besides the United States Air Force
, some of these air shows feature displays by the Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Navy, and allied air forces. Here are five remarkable airshows worth having on the bucket list for this autumn.
1
California International Airshow
See the C-5M Super Galaxy, Thunderbirds, and more
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Dates: |
September 28-29, 2024 |
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Gates open: |
09:00 |
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Address: |
30 Mortensen Ave, Salinas, CA 93905 |
The California International Airshow is one of the best airshows worth visiting on the West Coast. One of the most notable planned appearances for 2024 is the C-5M Super Galaxy (the largest aircraft in the US Air Force inventory). Some aircraft scheduled to make appearances this year include the Sukhoi Su-26, four North American P-51 Mustangs, and the C-5M Super Galaxy.
Photo: Lackland Air Force Base
Notable appearances in previous years have included the A-10 Warthog, C-17 Globemaster, F/A-18 Super Hornet, B-29 Superfortress, U-2 Dragon Lady, and many more. This year will see the US Air Force Thunderbirds and the US Patriots return to the show. The US Patriots are the only civilian-owned aerobatic jet team in the Western Hemisphere.
2
Reno Air Show
See F/A-18s, F-16s, and more
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Dates: |
October 4-6, 2024 |
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Gates open: |
08:30 (16:00 on Friday) |
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Address: |
Reno Stead Airport, 4895 Texas Ave., Reno, NV 89506 |
The Reno Air Show is boasting its 60th anniversary and will feature the US Navy Blue Angels, Canadian Forces Snowbirds, US Air Force F-16 Viper Demo, Vicky Benzing Plum Crazy, Dennis Sanders Sea Fury 924, and more. The event is air race-focused and features a number of modern military aircraft.
Photo: F-16 Viper Demo Team
While it is clear that the show will feature many vintage aircraft in 2024, it is unclear exactly what military aircraft will be on static display in 2024 (as of the time of writing, the event’s website says the attraction lineup is “coming soon”). The
US Navy Blue Angels fly Super Hornets
while the US Air Force F-16 Viper Demo flies F-16 Fighting Falcons.
3
San Francisco Fleet Week Air Show
See the F-22, F-35, F/A-18, and more
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Dates: |
October 7-14, 2024 |
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Gates open: |
11:00 (Sat/Sun) |
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Address: |
Between the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz |
The San Francisco Fleet Week Air Show is held annually between the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. It is presented by United Airlines and “the waterfront event is headlined by The U.S. Navy Blue Angels and is the only air show in the United States with a commercial airliner, the United 777, to perform a fully choreographed act.” The US Navy, US Coast Guard, and Canadian Navy will also be providing ship tours of their vessels.
Photo: USAF
The air show will be attended by the US Navy Blue Angels and their Super Hornets and even the
US Coast Guard (which also operates its own air fleet)
. Visitors will be able to see the F-22 Raptor, as the US Air Force F-22 Demo Team is scheduled to attend. Visitors will be able to see the US military’s other fifth-generation fighter jet – the F-35B, flown by the Marine Corps.
4
NAS Jax Air Show
See P-8s, F-15, F/A-18s, F-35As, and more
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Dates: |
October 19-20, 2024 |
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Gates open: |
09:00 |
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Address: |
Naval Air Station Jacksonville. 6801 Roosevelt Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32212 |
The NAS Jax Air Show is the birthplace of the Blue Angels and will be held on October 19 and 20. Admission and parking are free, and tickets are not required. Here visitors can “thrills like never before from a variety of military and civilian demonstrations. The grand finale will be the Navy’s flight demonstration team, The Blue Angels, who will begin at 3 pm.“
Photo: Joe Kunzler | Simple Flying
Static attractions include the C-130 Hercules, the P-8 Poseidon, F-15, and more. Performers include the US Navy Blue Angels, the U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team, and many more. The air show schedule for this year is yet to be finalized and posted on the website.
5
Wings Over Houston Air Show
See F-16s, F/A-18s, C-5Ms, C-17s, and more
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Dates: |
October 26-27, 2024 |
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Gates open: |
08:00 |
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Address: |
Ellington Airport, 11551 Aerospace Ave, Houston, TX 77034 |
The upcoming Wings Over Houston Air Show in Texas will feature not only the US Navy Blue Angels and the famous F-16 Viper Demo Tea but will also boast one of the largest displays of civilian and military aircraft in North America (this year, 75+ aircraft are expected). Some of these may include the Air Force’s most modern fighter jets – although the exact aircraft on static display depends on Air Force commitments and other considerations.
Photo: Wings Over Houston Airshow
Visitors will be able to see the US Air Force’s impressive lineup of transport aircraft, including the C-5M Super Galaxy, the C-17 Globemaster III, and the WC-130J Super Hercules. The WC-130J is a special variant of the Super Hercules designed to fly into storms and gather weather data (e.g., about hurricanes).