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Airshow London named Best Air Show in North America
Best Air Show (2021)
From late spring through mid-autumn, skies across the United States play host to some of summer's highest octane events: air shows. Attending one of these air shows, a selection of the best in North America, lets aviation enthusiasts get up close to a variety of flying machines while watching stunt teams and pilots show off their skills high in the sky.
The ten best air shows are as follows:
Photo courtesy of Thunder Over Michigan Air Show
No. 10: Thunder Over Michigan Air Show - Ypsilanti, Mich.
The U.S. Navy Blue Angels headline at this annual August event. Visitors can get up close with numerous vintage and modern planes or even hop in the seat of a Waco Biplane, B-25 Yankee Warrior or B-17 Yankee Lady for a flight.
Photo courtesy of EAA photo/Nick Moore
No. 9: EAA AirVenture Oshkosh - Oshkosh, Wis.
The town of Oshkosh, Wisconsin hosts the largest annual gathering of aviation enthusiasts in the country during the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. With more than 10,000 aircraft in attendance, there's a little bit of everything represented, including warbirds, home-built aircraft, ultralights and vintage planes.
Photo courtesy of Planes of Fame Air Show
No. 8: Planes of Fame Air Show - Chino, Calif.
The Planes of Fame Air Museum in Chino, Calif. is the setting for the annual Planes of Fame Air Show each May. This show, popular with aviation and history buffs alike, features some 50 vintage and historic aircraft in the sunny California skies.
Photo courtesy of AP Photo/Chattanooga Times Free Press, Dan Henry
No. 7: Wings Over North Georgia Air Show - Rome, Georgia
Wings over North Georgia is an airshow held over the skies of Rome, Georgia. Well-known aerial performers include the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and the USAF Heritage Flight Team. Premium camping at Russell Regional Airport is available for purchase, and some lucky guests will be able to experience an amazing flight adventure in the B-25 "Panchito" from the Delaware Aviation Museum.
Photo courtesy of Lyubov Tolstova // Getty Images
No. 6: Stuart Air Show - Stuart, FL
The Stuart Air Show is a three-day event in the Treasure Coast area of Florida. It includes static exhibits of a number of aircraft, including the Bell 47 "MASH" helicopter and the F18 Top Gun "Maverick." Helicopter rides in famous historic vehicles are available for purchase, and thrilling performances by nationally known aerobatic groups will fill the skies over Stuart.
Photo courtesy of Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show
No. 5: Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show - Battle Creek, Mich.
This mid-summer event in Michigan is an air show and balloon festival rolled into one – the largest Fourth of July air show in the country. For five days, spectators enjoy air shows of military and civilian aircraft, a twilight and night air show (among the largest in the world), fireworks, concerts, and hot air balloon launches.
Photo courtesy of iStock / Domanski
No. 4: Mid-Atlantic Air Museum's World War II Weekend - Reading, Penn.
Reading Regional Airport plays host to one of the best air shows for WWII buffs: the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum World War II Weekend. Highlights include FIFI, the only flying B-29 Boeing Superfortress in the world, as well as a performance by the World War II Airborne Demonstration Team. Flight enthusiasts can even book a ride in a warbird.
Photo courtesy of Lynn Starnes / National Championship Air Races
No. 3: STIHL National Championship Air Races - Reno
While the annual National Championship Air Races in Reno every September has its fair share of airplane acrobatics, the real reason pilots come back year after year is for the racing. Six classes of aircraft go head to head on 3- to 8-mile race courses in the sky.
Photo courtesy of The Great Pacific Airshow
No. 2: Pacific Airshow - Huntington Beach, Calif.
The Pacific Airshow is a three-day event held in Huntington Beach, California. It is considered one of the largest airshows in the U.S. and provides a "unique over-the-water airshow experience" with nationally known performers such as the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and the U.S. Marine Corps V-22 Osprey Demo Team.
Photo courtesy of Getty Images / U.Ozel.Images
No. 1: Airshow London - London, Ontario
Airshow London in London, Ontario, Canada is an event advertised as "Canada's Original Drive-In Air Show." Guests experience the "Sky Drive" from the comfort of their cars and view an aerial show that features multiple performers, including the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and the Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18 Hornet. Three different parking admission "zones" are offered, including one on the taxiway with up-close nearness to the runway for amazing views of the performers.
A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to pick the initial nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote.
Congratulations to all these winning air shows!
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
James Raia
A journalist since 1976, James Raia writes a... Read More
A journalist since 1976, James Raia writes a syndicated weekly columnist in Sacramento, Calif., for Bay Area News Group. He also produces a weekly automotive podcast and newsletter, both free and available via signups on TheWeeklyDriver.com. The independent website has been online since 2004. Contact him via email: james@jamesraia.com.
James Raia
A journalist since 1976, James Raia writes a syndicated weekly columnist in Sacramento, Calif., for Bay Area News Group. He also produces a weekly automotive podcast and newsletter, both free and available via signups on TheWeeklyDriver.com. The independent website has been online since 2004. Contact him via email: james@jamesraia.com.
John Waters
Maj. John Waters is a Reservist assigned to Air... Read More
Maj. John Waters is a Reservist assigned to Air Force Recruiting Service Joint Base Randolph San Antonio, Texas. He is a civilian airline pilot currently flying the Boeing 777. He previously served as the United States Air Force F16 Viper Demonstration Team commander and pilot based at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina. As the F16 Viper Demonstration Team commander, he is responsible for representing Air Combat Command, the United States Air Force, the Defense Department, and the United States of America at more than 20 air shows annually. He leads the 15 member F16 Viper Demonstration Team, oversees maintenance actions performed on the Lockheed Martin $43 million demonstration aircraft, and showcases the Viper’s exceptional maneuverability for more than 10 million spectators around the world each year. He is an operational F16 pilot assigned to the 20th Operations Group, Shaw Air Base South Carolina. He is also the host of the Afterburn Podcast.
John Waters
Maj. John Waters is a Reservist assigned to Air Force Recruiting Service Joint Base Randolph San Antonio, Texas. He is a civilian airline pilot currently flying the Boeing 777. He previously served as the United States Air Force F16 Viper Demonstration Team commander and pilot based at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina. As the F16 Viper Demonstration Team commander, he is responsible for representing Air Combat Command, the United States Air Force, the Defense Department, and the United States of America at more than 20 air shows annually. He leads the 15 member F16 Viper Demonstration Team, oversees maintenance actions performed on the Lockheed Martin $43 million demonstration aircraft, and showcases the Viper’s exceptional maneuverability for more than 10 million spectators around the world each year. He is an operational F16 pilot assigned to the 20th Operations Group, Shaw Air Base South Carolina. He is also the host of the Afterburn Podcast.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,... Read More
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.