The U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team will be the star of the Farnborough International Airshow’s flying display this July. It’s the USAF Demo Team’s only confirmed European public appearance in 2026. The announcement, made earlier this week, puts the fifth-generation multirole aircraft front and center across all five days of the show—July 20–24 at Farnborough Airport in Hampshire, UK.
Based at Hill Air Force Base, the 388th Fighter Wing’s F-35A Demo Team will showcase the aircraft’s performance, agility, and advanced sensor fusion capabilities to defense officials, industry leaders, and media from around the world. Selecting the team underscores how seriously Farnborough takes its mission: reflecting the latest in frontline military capability and aerospace technology—especially now that European air defense priorities have shifted sharply.
“Showcasing frontline military capability, heritage aviation to next-generation commercial platforms and emerging advanced air mobility aircraft, the flying display will reflect the ambition of the international industry today,” Farnborough organizers said in their official statement.
A Lineup Spanning Generations
The F-35A isn’t traveling alone. Farnborough 2026 has confirmed a roster that mixes combat heritage with cutting-edge innovation. The Rolls-Royce Vickers-Supermarine Spitfire PR.Mk.XIX—a dedicated photographic reconnaissance variant, distinctly different from the World War II fighter models—will fly July 23–24. The Ultimate WarBird Flights P-51D Mustang joins the heritage contingent on July 24 only.
Military aircraft on the schedule include an RAF Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 flypast and a rare appearance by the Czech Air Force’s Aero L-159 light combat aircraft—an uncommon sight at UK airshows. The Airbus A350-1000 will operate across all five days, anchoring the commercial aviation side alongside emerging electric and advanced-mobility platforms like BETA Technologies’ CX300 and Vertical Aerospace’s VA-1X.
Aerobatic teams round out the lineup. The Starlings Aerobatic Team and the RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team are confirmed for July 24—the public-facing Friday when under-21s, full-time students, and apprentices get free admission. It’s part of the “Pioneers of Tomorrow” STEM careers day. The first four days remain trade-only.
The Red Arrows’ Transatlantic Commitment
One notable absence: the RAF Red Arrows. The iconic nine-ship formation team will make their first-ever appearance at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh during July 24–26 as part of “Operation Eagle Hawk,” an extended U.S. tour celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.
This timing creates a scheduling conflict: both shows run simultaneously (Farnborough July 20–24, Oshkosh July 20–26), meaning top-tier performers cannot participate in both. The Red Arrows’ participation in the broader U.S. tour underscores the significance of the 250th anniversary celebrations.
Air Vice-Marshal Mark Jackson, air officer commanding No. 1 Group RAF, confirmed: “We’re honoured to accept the US military’s invitation for the Red Arrows to participate in these special Fourth of July events in the country’s 250th year.”
What’s Next
More aircraft and teams remain unannounced. Farnborough organizers have more up their sleeve. The 2024 edition drew 100,358 visitors across five days and generated $105.8 billion in commercial aircraft and engine orders. The 2026 show is expected to expand further, with organizers calling it “the largest and most diverse in decades.”
Ticket sales and further performer announcements are coming in the weeks ahead. The F-35A Demo Team’s 2026 season launched in March from NAS Lemoore, California, and runs through November at NAS Pensacola, Florida—with Farnborough serving as a strategic European capstone before autumn European NATO exercises.
Aviation enthusiasts should also note that the Belgian Air Force will operate an F-35A at Belgium’s International Sanicole Airshow on September 12–13, providing additional European F-35 visibility through the fall.
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