Is the 00 Airshow VIP Chalet Worth It Over 0 GA Tickets

Last summer I bought $500 chalet tickets to a major airshow. The weekend before, I sat in $30 general admission at a similar show. Here’s the honest breakdown of whether premium experiences deliver.

What $500 VIP Typically Includes

Premium packages vary wildly between shows, but a typical $400-600 chalet experience includes:

• Reserved seating (often elevated platforms or bleachers)
• Air-conditioned tent or building access
• Catered food and beverages (sometimes unlimited, sometimes not)
• “Premium” viewing location (closer to show center)
• Private restroom facilities
• Sometimes: parking upgrades, exclusive meet-and-greets, or static display access

What $30 GA Actually Gets You

General admission typically means:

• Bring your own chair or blanket
• Access to general crowd areas
• Portable toilets with everyone else
• Vendor food at vendor prices
• First-come, first-served positioning

The Honest VIP Advantages

Climate Control: This is the real value proposition. When it’s 95°F and you’ve got a toddler, access to an air-conditioned space between performances is worth significant money. Many shows hold VIP areas in actual hangars with industrial AC.

Restrooms: Anyone who’s experienced portable toilet lines at a 100,000-person airshow understands. Private flushing toilets with running water might sound trivial until you need them four times during a six-hour event.

Food Quality: VIP catering ranges from genuinely good (carved prime rib, quality appetizers) to disappointing buffet fare. Research your specific show – some VIP food is worth the price alone, others are marginally better than vendor stands.

The Honest VIP Disadvantages

Viewing Angles: Here’s the dirty secret – VIP areas aren’t always positioned for optimal photography or viewing. They’re positioned for exclusivity. Some chalet locations are actually inferior to prime GA spots claimed by early arrivers.

Flexibility: General admission lets you move. You can chase optimal sun angles, reposition for different performers, explore static displays freely. VIP often means you’ve paid premium prices to stay in one designated area.

The Crowd Factor: Some VIP experiences are legitimately intimate. Others pack 300 people into a “premium” tent and call it exclusive. Ask about capacity before purchasing.

When VIP Makes Sense

• Bringing elderly family members (shade, seating, restrooms)
• Extreme heat conditions (AC access is survival, not luxury)
• Corporate entertainment (impressing clients)
• Shows where VIP includes genuine unique access (cockpit tours, pilot meetings)
• Physical limitations requiring reliable seating

When GA Wins

• Serious photography (you need mobility)
• Aviation enthusiasts who want to explore everything
• Shows with excellent GA infrastructure (Oshkosh’s public facilities are good)
• Budget-conscious families who can handle their own provisions
• Anyone comfortable arriving early and staking out prime positions

The Middle Ground

Many shows offer $75-150 “reserved seating” options that split the difference: guaranteed chairs in a designated area, maybe some shade structure, but no catering. This often represents the best value – you get reliability without the full premium markup.

My Verdict

After experiencing both extremes: I’ll pay for VIP in extreme weather (either direction) or when bringing non-enthusiast family members who need comfort. For my own enjoyment as an aviation photographer and enthusiast? GA and a cooler bag beat $500 chalets every time.