The Spirit of St. Louis Air Show & STEM Expo opens today with a historically significant lineup. The U.S. Navy Blue Angels are celebrating their 80th anniversary, while the Canadian Forces Snowbirds are making what may be their final U.S. appearances before their October stand-down announcement. Saturday’s gates are nearly sold out; Sunday still has availability.
Running June 6–7 at Spirit of St. Louis Airport in Chesterfield, Missouri, the show presents a rare dual-farewell moment. The Snowbirds announced on May 19 that they’ll retire their iconic Canadair CT-114 Tutors on October 11, 2026—and they’re scheduled to return to St. Louis for the first time in nearly a decade. The Blue Angels are midway through their landmark 80th season after earning their annual certification in February, reviewed by Rear Admiral Max McCoy, Chief of Naval Air Training.
“For 80 years, the Blue Angels have represented the absolute pinnacle of naval aviation,” McCoy stated when the team earned its certification. “This anniversary is a testament to a legacy of excellence that few organizations ever achieve.”
Two Teams, Nine Tutors, and a Super Hornet Squadron
The Blue Angels will fly their combat-proven F/A-18 Super Hornets alongside the Marine Corps’ C-130J Super Hercules logistics bird. Captain Adam Bryan leads the 158-person squadron that has performed for nearly 500 million fans since 1946. The Snowbirds bring all nine of their precision Tutors, flying at four-foot wingtip spacing in their signature choreography—a 25-minute performance ranging from 100 knots to 320 knots while trailing diesel smoke from two underwing tanks per aircraft.
Major Maciej Hatta leads the Canadian contingent. The team kicks off what may be a final North American tour after opening the 2026 season with a flyover of the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal on May 24.
Legacy Iron and Modern Might
Beyond the headliners, the roster includes the USAF F-22 Raptor Demo Team showcasing the fifth-generation fighter. The Heritage Flight pairs modern stealth with history—an F-22 flying alongside a P-38 Lightning and P-51 Mustang. The Commemorative Air Force is bringing B-29 Superfortress Doc, one of only two airworthy examples in existence. This will be Doc‘s third appearance at the St. Louis Air Show, having previously visited in 2018 and 2022.
John Bales, Executive Director of the Spirit of St. Louis Air Show, called Doc‘s appearance “a powerful reminder of the innovation and courage that defined the Greatest Generation.” Mark Novak, B-29 Doc representative, added: “When you see DOC alongside other historic aircraft and modern performers, it really shows how far aviation has come.”
The lineup also includes the Fagen Fighters’ P-51 Sweet Revenge and F4U Corsair, a Spitfire from Dakota Air Territory, a CAF C-47 “That’s All Brother,” WWII re-enactments featuring a Japanese Zero versus F6F Hellcat, and aerobatic acts from Titan Aerobatics and Skip Stewart Airshows.
Gates, Flights, and What’s Next
Gates open at 9 a.m. both days, with opening ceremonies at 11:30 a.m. and flight demonstrations running until 4 p.m. Show hours conclude at 5 p.m. Kids 12 and under receive free admission with a complimentary ticket downloaded in advance; active-duty military get free entry with valid ID. Parking is complimentary.
Advance B-29 ride-flight experiences are available June 3–4 at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and 6 p.m. The Snowbirds and Blue Angels will next share a flight line in North Bay, Ontario, on June 10, before the Snowbirds head to Ocean City, Maryland, on June 13–14.
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