Ranking the world’s biggest airshows has gotten complicated with all the competing claims flying around. As someone who has attended most of these events personally — burning through vacation days and frequent flyer miles at an alarming rate — I learned everything there is to know about which shows actually deliver on the hype. Today, I will share it all with you.
Whether you are a die-hard aviation nut or planning your first airshow trip, knowing which events draw the biggest crowds helps you plan the ultimate experience. From record-breaking gatherings in Wisconsin to prestigious military displays in England, these are the shows that aviation fans worldwide build their calendars around.
1. EAA AirVenture Oshkosh — The Undisputed Champion
Location: Wittman Regional Airport, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, USA
2025 Attendance: 704,000 visitors from 94 nations
Next Event: July 20-26, 2026
Probably should have led with this section, honestly. But who am I kidding — everyone already knows Oshkosh sits at the top. It is not even close. The 2025 edition shattered records with over 700,000 people descending on this small Wisconsin city, turning a regional airport into the busiest airfield on the planet for one week each July.
The numbers are staggering and I never get tired of reciting them: more than 10,000 aircraft arrived at the field. They recorded 16,246 aircraft operations during the event — roughly 108 takeoffs and landings every hour. From homebuilt experimentals to warbirds to cutting-edge electric aircraft, Oshkosh covers the entire spectrum of aviation. Nothing else comes close.
Why it is unmissable: Where else can you see a P-51 Mustang taxi past a homebuilt RV-8, followed by an F-35 demonstration, all before lunch? Nowhere. That is the answer.
2. Paris Air Show — Where Billions Change Hands
Location: Paris-Le Bourget Airport, France
Attendance: Approximately 400,000 visitors
Next Event: June 2027 (held odd years only)
Established in 1909, Paris holds the distinction of being the oldest air show in the world. But do not let the history fool you — this is where the future of aviation gets unveiled. Measured by exhibitors and exhibit space, it is the largest aerospace trade event on the planet.
The 2025 show brought together manufacturers, airlines, and defense contractors for a week of billion-dollar announcements mixed with spectacular flying displays. The trade days are industry-focused, but the public days draw hundreds of thousands of aviation fans. I went in 2023 and the scale of the industry presence genuinely shocked me.
Why it is unmissable: If you want to see aircraft that will not fly for another decade, Paris is where they get revealed first.
3. Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) — Military Aviation at Its Finest
Location: RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire, UK
Attendance: 150,000+ visitors
Next Event: July 2026
RIAT holds an uncontested title: the world’s largest military airshow. Every summer, RAF Fairford hosts display teams and military aircraft from air forces across the globe. If military hardware is your thing, this is the pilgrimage you need to make.
What sets RIAT apart is the charitable mission — proceeds support the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust — and its ability to gather aircraft types that rarely appear together anywhere else. In recent years, attendees have seen everything from B-2 Spirit stealth bombers to aerobatic teams from six continents. The diversity is mind-blowing.
Why it is unmissable: The sheer variety of military hardware on display is unmatched anywhere in the world. Period.
4. Farnborough International Airshow — The Business of Flight
Location: Farnborough Airport, Hampshire, UK
Schedule: Held even years (July)
Alternating with Paris, Farnborough is the commercial heartbeat of British aerospace. The world’s second-largest aerospace trade show, this is where airlines drop orders worth tens of billions of dollars and manufacturers debut their latest innovations.
While primarily a trade event, the flying displays are genuinely spectacular, and public days let enthusiasts get up close with the latest commercial and military aircraft. It is a different atmosphere from a traditional airshow — more suits, more handshakes, more money changing hands. But the flying is first-rate.
Why it is unmissable: In 2024, airlines placed orders exceeding $80 billion — and you can watch those very aircraft take to the skies.
5. Dubai Airshow — The Middle East’s Growing Giant
Location: Al Maktoum International Airport, Dubai, UAE
Schedule: Held odd years (November)
The Dubai Airshow has grown rapidly into one of the world’s most significant aerospace events, reflecting the Middle East’s enormous appetite for new aircraft. With Gulf carriers consistently ranking among the largest aircraft buyers globally, Dubai attracts major announcements and eye-popping displays.
Guaranteed good weather, world-class facilities, and the presence of cash-rich Gulf carriers make this an increasingly important stop on the global airshow circuit. I have not been yet, but it is high on my list.
6. Singapore Airshow — Asia-Pacific’s Premier Event
Location: Changi Exhibition Centre, Singapore
Schedule: Held even years (February)
Serving Asia-Pacific’s booming aviation market, Singapore is the region’s largest aerospace and defense exhibition. With Asian airlines driving much of global aircraft demand, Singapore has positioned itself as the must-attend event for anyone doing business in the region. The flying displays are excellent, and the trade show floor is massive.
Planning Your Airshow Bucket List
That’s what makes this list endearing to us airshow chasers — every event on here offers something completely different. But attending any of these major shows does require some planning:
- Book early: Hotels near Oshkosh sell out a year in advance. I learned this the hard way my first year. Paris accommodation prices spike insanely during show week.
- Plan for multiple days: Major shows like Oshkosh and RIAT have way too much content for a single day. Give yourself at least two or three days if possible.
- Check the weather: Static displays go on rain or shine, but flying displays can be curtailed or modified. Have a backup plan.
- Bring serious sun protection: You will spend hours on exposed ramps and flightlines. Your skin will not forgive you otherwise.
- Download the official apps: Most major shows have apps with schedules and maps. They are genuinely useful.
The Bottom Line
If you can only attend one airshow in your lifetime, EAA AirVenture Oshkosh deserves the top slot on your bucket list. No question. But each of these events offers something unique — from the industry intrigue of Paris and Farnborough to the raw military might on display at RIAT.
Tickets for EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026 are already on sale. With the 2025 edition setting new attendance records, book early if you want to experience what the EAA rightfully calls “The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration.” They are not exaggerating.
