2026 Wings Over Houston Performers
USAF Thunderbirds
Returning to Houston in 2026!
The Thunderbirds perform for people all around the world to display the pride, precision and professionalism the U.S. Air Force represents. Through air shows and flyovers, they aim to excite and inspire. In addition to showcasing the elite skills all pilots must possess, the Thunderbirds demonstrate the incredible capabilities of the Air Force’s premier multi-role fighter jet, the F-16 Fighting Falcon.
The demonstration is a mix of six aircraft performing formation flying and solo routines. The four-ship Diamond formation showcases the precision and training of U.S. Air Force Pilots, as well as the gracefulness of the F-16. The two solos display the power and maximum capabilities of the mighty F-16 Fighting Falcon, a frontline fighter.
NASA "Freedom 250" F-5
We are thrilled to announce that four F-5 fighter jets with a NASA and “Freedom 250” paint scheme will be taking to the skies to fly for you at this year’s Wings Over Houston Airshow. And that’s not all … one jet will be on display for an exclusive, up-close look!
The NASA “Freedom 250” F-5s are a team of privately owned F-5 fighter jets, featuring a commemorative red, white, and blue livery, operated by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman to celebrate America’s 250th birthday and the legacy of space exploration. The team, often associated with the Artemis II mission, made their debut performance at Sun ‘n Fun 2026.
United Airlines 777 Demo
United Airlines is our exclusive airline partner for this year’s Airshow. In addition to United’s financial support, they are also providing airfare for a number of our Legends & Heroes. We sincerely appreciate their support!
We’re proud to announce the United Airlines 777-200 (Triple Seven) demonstration. Yes, you read that correctly. With no passengers onboard, you’ll witness a near-max performance demo of the Triple Seven’s capabilities.
United has carefully selected a flight crew from its elite flight test unit to fly this weekend’s Triple Seven demo. The demo is compact and to the point. Think of the United demo as a rollercoaster of crank and bank, with gobs of unbridled power.
F-4D Phantom II - The Collings Foundation
www.collingsfoundation.org/aircrafts/f-4d-phantom/
Collings Foundation F-4D Phantom returns to Ellington Airport in what hopes to be one of the first flying demonstrations in many years. This plane, along with many others, will fly a demonstration honoring all who served in the Vietnam War.
“The F-4 was used extensively during the Vietnam War, first as the principal air superiority fighter for the U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps, and later as a ground-attack and aerial reconnaissance aircraft. During the Vietnam War, all five American servicemen who became aces – one U.S. Air Force pilot and two weapon systems officers (WSOs), one U.S. Navy pilot and one radar intercept officer (RIO) – did so in F-4s. The Phantom remained a major part of U.S. military air power into the 1980s, when it was gradually replaced by more modern aircraft such as the F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon in the U.S. Air Force, the F-14 Tomcat in the U.S. Navy, and the F/A-18 Hornet in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps.”
NextGen Eagles
The World’s Only Christen Eagles Aerobatic Team!
“The NextGen Eagles are new-generation performers bringing the iconic Christen Eagle back to the national circuit. Mentored by the Iron Eagle Aerobatic Team, the NextGen Eagles, comprised of Leland Kracher, Stephen Covington and Tom Braymer, fly their one-of-a-kind, nostalgic, and engaging show connecting with everybody from first-timers, to the long-time airshow veterans. With tons of smoke and beautiful colors, their show is not one to miss!”
The Pink Jet
“The Pink Jet is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to spreading breast cancer awareness, supporting survivors, and raising money to help find a cure for the disease. Breast cancer, often deadly if not detected and treated early, leaves many women disfigured and emotionally devastated. Awareness and early detection are key.
The Pink Jet promotes awareness and raises funds directly for breast cancer organizations by flying The Pink Jet at air shows. This L-39 Albatros fighter jet, piloted by extraordinarily talented women, symbolizes strength, hope, compassion, and resilience.”
C-17 Globemaster III
www.altus.af.mil/Altus-Demo-Teams/
The massive Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is the newest and one of the largest aircrafts in the Air Force inventory. Weighing in at a maximum takeoff weight of 585,000 pounds and flying as fast as 590 mph the 200-foot-long C-17 will show off its impressive aerial capability. The C-17’s primary mission is to transport equipment, supplies and troops around the world.
USAF KC-46A Pegasus
www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104537/
The KC-46A delivers more fuel at all ranges and from shorter runways than the KC-135 aircraft it’s replacing — while utilizing less ramp space than competing tankers — ensuring mission reach from forward and austere airfields.
Unlike many existing tankers, the KC-46A can also receive fuel, which significantly extends the range and flexibility of global mobility and power projection maneuvers.
The combat-readiness and agile-combat-capable design of the KC-46A enables more booms in the air throughout the operational theater, making it the ideal aircraft for refueling missions.
F-100 Super Sabre
www.collingsfoundation.org/aircrafts/north-american-f-100f-super-sabre/
Flying with 4 other aircraft in a “Tribute to Vietnam”
“The Collings Foundation‘s North American F-100F Super Sabre, USAF #56-3844 (N26AZ) is one of the only two flying examples of its kind in the world, the other being Dean Cutshall’s beautiful F-100F. She took to the skies again this past Sunday in the capable hands of Vietnam War Flight Museum’s Curator and experienced warbird pilot Rick Sharpe. This was the first time the jet had flown since the end of 2019.” – Vintage Aviation News
A-1D Skyraider
“The Douglas A-1 Skyraider (formerly AD) is an American single-seat attack aircraft that saw service between the late 1940s and early 1980s. The Skyraider had a remarkably long and successful career; it became a piston-powered, propeller-driven anachronism in the jet age, and was nicknamed “Spad”, after the French World War I fighter.
Douglas A-4 Skyhawk
The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk is a single-seat subsonic carrier-capable light attack aircraft designed and produced by the American aerospace manufacturer Douglas Aircraft Company, later built by McDonnell Douglas. It was originally designated A4D under the United States Navy’s pre-1962 designation system.
The Skyhawk saw combat in several conflicts. The Navy operated the type as its principal light attack aircraft during the Vietnam War, carrying out some of the first U.S. air strikes of the conflict. The Skyhawk was the Israeli Air Force’s main ground attack aircraft during the War of Attrition and the Yom Kippur War. In the Falklands War, Argentine Air Force Skyhawks bombed Royal Navy vessels, sinking the Type 42 destroyer Coventry and the Type 21 frigate Ardent. Indonesian Air Force Skyhawks were used for counterinsurgency strikes in East Timor. Kuwaiti Air Force Skyhawks saw action during Operation Desert Storm. In 2022, nearly seven decades after the aircraft’s first flight in 1954, a number of Skyhawks remained in service with the Argentine Air Force and the Brazilian Naval Aviation.
TORA! TORA! TORA!
TORA! TORA! TORA!
A Living History Museum.
Americas oldest civilian air show performance. 53 years and counting!
Many people have the opportunity to travel to visit a museum but rarely does the museum come to visit you. Attending an air show where “Tora Tora Tora” is performing is like having a 3-D museum come to visit you. “Tora Tora Tora” is the Commemorative Air Force’s recreation of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor that signaled the beginning of the American involvement in World War II. Designed as a living history lesson, “Tora Tora Tora” is intended as a memorial to all the soldiers on both sides who gave their lives for their countries.
Wings Over Houston is proud to be considered it’s home air show.
RE/MAX Skydive Team
www.facebook.com/Skydiveremax/
The Official Open to Wings Over Houston 2026!
The RE/MAX Skydiving Team is delivering it’s show-stopping performance to thousands of Texans this fall at some of our region’s grandest outdoor event venues. This year, the team will officially open the 2025 Wings Over Houston Airshow, October 18 & 19, with a skydive choreographed to the National Anthem.
According to RE/MAX of Texas, between the four jumpers, they have more than 100 years of jump experience and more than 15,000 jumps. These experienced jumpers will leap from a plane at 4,500 feet and experience a 120mph free fall. You can easily find these jumpers in the air by looking for Texan and American flags flying down with them.
Commemorative Air Force
Air Power Demonstration
Featuring famous battle reenactments with pyrotechnics simulating a near real experience.
Aircraft from Commemorative Air Force, Houston Wing-CAF, Tora! Tora! Tora!-CAF, Gulf Coast Wing-CAF, Vietnam War Flight Museum