Lying on the grass, watching planes flying, releasing colored smoke! Sounds like an awesome day out.
Air shows provide a one-of-a-kind experience, whether you’re a kid or someone in their 70s.
The roar of engines when the planes take off, the loops and rolls, the sky filled with colors, and the fighter jet teams making patterns in the sky will make you feel as if the planes are dancing in the air and you’re watching an open-air theatre. It’s an experience that you’ll never forget.
Inside, you’ll find the “8 Biggest Stunt Plane Shows on the Planet” and the details of all the air show schedules so you can plan your next adventure.
1. Reno Air Races, USA
If you’re someone who likes adrenaline rush throughout their body, then mark your calendars, because every September, the Reno Air Races Airplane show is held, showcasing jets battling at 500 miles per hour. Watching this will literally send shocks down your body.
This show has a huge amount of acrobatics on display, but six aircraft going head to head on a 3 to 8-mile race course steals the show.
It honestly feels like watching a Formula One, but rather than a usual race track, this one is happening in the sky.
2. Oshkosh AirVenture, USA:
Oshkosh AirVenture is the largest annual gathering of aviation lovers in the US. This has over 10,000 aircraft in attendance. It has a little bit of everything, from warbirds to vintage planes. Last year, the spectator count was over 500,000.
If you’re planning to go, then make sure that you book your tickets and accommodation in advance according to the air show schedule because with so many people coming from all around the world,
Fun fact: Wittman Regional Airport (the busiest airport in the world during the week of AirVenture). So, finding accommodation at that time will be no less than a nightmare.
3. Dubai Airshow, UAE
Picture this: the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, poking the clouds. Sun shines off fancy hotels, and then…BOOM! Jets streak across the sky, leaving trails of colored smoke, filling the sky with all the rainbow colors.
Now imagine not just fighter jets but giant cargo planes you’ve mostly seen in movies. Planes so big that you could literally fit the entire house inside!
The first thing that comes to our mind after hearing Dubai. From private jets to gold-plated everything, spend a day like arabs head to toe in luxury. Plus, with Dubai’s iconic skyline acting as the backdrop, this airshow is going to be something else.
4. Royal International Air Tattoo, UK
You can simply call it a global gathering of giants.
Calling all the jet engine fanatics! This air show will help you to time travel through aviation history.
Only people who are in love with old, legendary aircraft can know how it feels to take a stroll from tiny, old-fashioned biplanes to giant bombers that changed the world.
You can also watch reenactments of famous battles and see how pilots used to fly back in the day. It literally feels as if history is coming alive!
5. Abbotsford Airshow, Abbotsford, Canada
If you’re done searching for plane shows near me, do yourself a favor and get a ticket to Canada to watch Canada’s National Airshow. This show is held annually on the second Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in August, and it attracts over 100,000 people from all over the world.
You’ll feel your heart skipping a beat or two when the ground rumbles as military jets like the F-18 Hornet and civilian aircraft like the de Havilland Canada DHC-8 perform high-speed passes.
The Abbotsford Airshow offers a variety of activities for visitors of all ages, including live music, food, a family fun zone, and educational exhibits.
6. Bournemouth Air Festival, Dorset, England
You can watch stars (Aeriel Daredevils) like Matt Hall and Mike Goulian pulling off insane stunts in real time if you’re done watching plane TV shows on Netflix.
UK’s skies, beaches, and even the streets are transformed for this air festival. Don’t forget the award-winning coastline that stretches over a 1.5-mile radius and the Armed Forces Village, where you can interact with military personnel.
You can witness RAFAT Red Arrows fill the sky with trails of smoke and get blown away by how perfectly the Breitling Jet Team dives and loops all synchronized.
7. Farnborough International Airshow, United Kingdom:
This event is another major trade show for the aerospace industry, showcasing both civil and military aircraft.
Farnborough International Airshow typically takes place in mid-July. Some of the most renowned aerobatic teams in the world that you’ve heard about, such as the Red Arrows and Patrouille de France, often grace the skies and show daring stunts.
You can also explore the cockpits, learn about the latest technologies, and interact with pilots and engineers at this event.
8. Berlin Air Show ILA, Germany
Held every two years, the ILA Berlin Air Show is a significant trade show for the aerospace industry, featuring both civil and military aircraft, helicopters, and space technology. This one is very well renowned among the top 10 air shows in the world.
Now, you can ditch watching all those plane TV shows and delve into the science behind how flights operate and interact through exhibits and simulators.
Berlin Air Show is like Disneyland for airplane lovers. This air show showcases all the airplane stunt names that you’ve heard about including avalanche, cobra maneuver, tail slide, crossover, and many more.
Wrap up
From the heart-stopping races of Reno to the historic displays of Oshkosh, each air show has something special. These shows will not only hype you up with fancy moves.
You can also get up close to the planes, and chat with real pilots. Plus, there’s usually food, music, and fun activities for the whole family.
So, ditch the remote and get up to go on an adventure! You can check out the air show schedules and book your tickets early, especially if you have a fear of missing out (FOMO).
