Airshow Season 2026: I feel sad and empty it’s over for me, but it was really fun. Round-up, tricks and tips:
Aviation Expo: new conference. Angled more towards collectibles and airport/airline operations. but had some incredible tours – Alaska Training Center, network operations center and a hangar tour. Was in Seattle this year so I went. Not sure I’d travel far for it (in DFW next year), but for a first year an excellent effort; worth watching for the tours alone.
Seafair: Nope.
Abbotsford: Always nice to go to Canadaland. Well run “big” show, good performers – Red Bull Airforce helicopter demo is wicked and has to be seen to be believed. Crowded, but has room to breathe; but also big and far to walk some distances. Decent static displays. A more “graceful” flying display. But with the US a mess and Snowbirds stand-down, line-up in coming years uncertain. Altitude chalet comfortable and well run. Better catering. Stay: I tried Best Western across the freeway from airport this year. Very nice, has restaurant on site but not close to any amenities you can walk to. Stay at a place that’s just up the road from the Sumas crossing near the Sav-on foods – that is my usual location and lots of options to walk to and not far from airport.
McMinnville: Well-run big show. Airshow line is closer and lots of spectacular NOISE NOISE NOISE – Yes! McMinnville is a small airport so no big statics (military acts fly-in from PDX), but some interesting vendors. Was pretty crowded all over. Presidents Club good and big! Stay: Comfort Inn right next to airport is super close and decent, but like Abbotsford this year had no amenities close. Stay at Best Western a few miles down the road – also good in previous years and it has options you can walk to and you’re stuck in airshow traffic regardless of how close you stay.
In general: Pay for the Chalet. By the time you pay for admission, parking and then your food at festival rates- you have paid for the “expensive” Chalet ticket. You get close, free parking, free catering, free drinks, 3-4 free booze tickets and upgraded potties. Grab tickets as soon as they go on sale to make sure you get them ….I am not general admission.
Puget Sound area travel to McMinnville: I flew from PAE to PDX in 30 minutes. My friends drove and took them 8 hours on Friday. Even with the airport shuffle and cost of gas – You do the math. True, I had to rent a car and I was still stuck in same traffic 2 hours to McMinnville – but this is an aviation *experience*, not business travel. So I had fun!
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