By Samuel Ssenono
Farnborough International Airshow has named the first aircraft and display teams confirmed for its 2026 flying programme, with organisers promising the largest and most varied flying display the event has hosted in decades.
The airshow, set for 20 to 24 July 2026 at the Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre in Hampshire, United Kingdom, will bring together aircraft and teams from the United States, the United Kingdom, continental Europe and Latin America, with more participants still to be announced.
The early line-up points to a broad showcase of global aerospace, from frontline military aircraft and historic warbirds to next-generation commercial jets and emerging advanced air mobility platforms.
Headlining the five-day display will be the United States Air Force F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team, which will make its only public display appearance in Europe this year. The team is expected to demonstrate the performance, agility and advanced capability of the F-35A, the U.S. Air Force’s fifth-generation multirole fighter.
The F-35A display will highlight the aircraft’s stealth, sensor fusion and combat flexibility, while also serving as a recruitment and public engagement platform for young people interested in aviation and military service.
Other aircraft and teams confirmed for the flying display include the Rolls-Royce Vickers Supermarine Spitfire PR.Mk.XIX, the RAF Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 flypast, the Czech Air Force L-159 flypast, the Airbus A350-1000, BETA Technologies CX300, Bombardier Global 8000, Embraer C-390 Millennium, GE Aerospace Saab 340B, Vertical Aerospace VA-1X, Ultimate WarBird Flights P-51D Mustang, The Starlings Aerobatic Team and The Falcons, the RAF Parachute Display Team.
The static aircraft park will also feature major aerospace hardware, including the Czech Air Force JAS-39 Gripen, DHL Air UK Boeing 777-200LRMF, BETA Technologies MV250, Embraer E195-E2, GE Aerospace Boeing 747-400 and General Atomics AeroTec Systems Do228 NXT.
Organisers say the 2026 edition will again position Farnborough as one of the world’s leading meeting points for aerospace and defence, giving manufacturers, governments, airlines and technology firms a platform to unveil new engineering, strike partnerships and push the industry’s sustainability agenda.
The final day of the show, Friday 24 July, will be dedicated to Pioneers of Tomorrow, a STEM-focused programme designed for young people exploring careers in aerospace and defence.
The day will feature live entertainment, simulators, Meet the Pilot sessions, speaker events, STEM activities, a careers fair, a digital job board for apprenticeships, graduate schemes and entry-level roles, as well as competitions and exhibitor-led experiences for young visitors.
Farnborough International Airshow is held at the Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre in Hampshire, UK.
