Cleveland Air Show Returns with High-Speed Stunts and Military Flyovers Already Scheduled

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Cleveland National Air Show is set to return to Burke Lakefront Airport over Labor Day weekend, running August 30 through September 1, with an aerial lineup designed to thrill and awe spectators. Among the headliners are the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, the U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet, and the Red Bull Air Force, all delivering gravity-defying demonstrations.

"The U.S. Air Force Thunderbird pilots will put their six distinct red, white and blue F-16 Fighting Falcon jet fighters through a choreographed 50-minute performance each day at speeds up to 500 mph and as close as three feet from each other," organizers confirmed. The Thunderbirds, recently featured in the Netflix series Air Force Elite: Thunderbirds, are known for their precision and extensive training regimens.

Spectators will also experience the power of the U.S. Navy’s F/A-18 Super Hornet, known as the “Rhino,” made famous in Top Gun: Maverick. Its performance will include high-G maneuvers and a slow-speed “high-alpha” pass to demonstrate the aircraft’s capabilities.

For the first time in Cleveland, the Red Bull Air Force will bring their extreme stunt team to the skies. Their act includes aerobatics by Kirby Chambliss, a helicopter piloted by Aaron Fitzgerald, and a skydiving team that defies conventional flight limits. "This will be our first Cleveland appearance," the team stated, marking a milestone for the show’s growing draw.

Ground attractions will complement the aerial feats with highlights like the Hot Streak Jet II jet truck racing a plane, interactive displays, and aircraft exhibits. Family-friendly areas and hands-on activities will also be available throughout the venue.

General admission tickets are priced per day at $35 for adults, increasing to $40 after August 25, and $20 for children aged 6 to 11. Children 5 and under can attend for free. Seating upgrades including Reserved Box Seats, Sky Boxes, the Barnstormer Club, and Flight Deck Loge offer enhanced viewing and amenities. All tickets and parking passes must be purchased in advance online, with no gate sales permitted.

The air show, organized by the nonprofit Cleveland National Air Show, Inc., has been a Northeast Ohio tradition since 1964 and typically attracts between 60,000 and 100,000 attendees. The event contributes more than $17.9 million annually to Cleveland’s economy. Organizers emphasize that all ticket sales directly fund the production of the show.

“As always, ticket sales support event production costs directly,” organizers stated, reaffirming the community-supported nature of the event.

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