America's Best Air Shows (Ranked)
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.
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.
