All About Farnborough Airshow 2026: Dates, Venue and More

The Farnborough International Airshow 2026 returns to Hampshire from 20–24 July 2026, hosted in the prestigious Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre. Farnborough is one of the most significant aerospace events of the year that gathers the representatives of aerospace, defense, airlines, engineers, investors, policymakers, and aviation enthusiasts. The focus of the aviation world is on Farnborough. Five days where aircraft orders are made, new technology of the next generation is shown, and the sky turns into an open-air theatre where they can fly and demonstrate.

Farnborough, which is held every two years, is an alternative to the Paris Air Show and is a strategic participant in the global aerospace discussion. The first four days are mainly for trade, but on the last day, on Friday, it is announced as Public Day, and the gates are opened to the aviation enthusiasts, families, students, and photographers who would love to view the displays closely.

Why Farnborough Airshow Is Important

Farnborough is not just an exhibition; it is a marketplace and a place of innovation. In its history, the event has:

• Unveiled game-changing aircraft.
• Facilitated billions in commercial and defense contracts.
• Showcased electric flight and sustainable aviation tech.
• Connected airlines with manufacturers.
• Guided aerospace investment and policy direction.
• Engaged future talent through STEM programming.

Industries represented include:

• Civil aviation
• Defense and military aerospace
• Business aviation
• Space technology
• Drones & UAVs
• Future mobility (eVTOLs, air taxis, hydrogen flight)
• Supply chain & manufacturing

As sustainability becomes the new aerospace priority in the world, the 2026 edition will feature:

• Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
• Hydrogen propulsion
• Electric mobility platforms
• Lightweight materials
• Battery storage systems
• Airspace digitization
• Green airport operations

Event Dates & Format (Expected Structure for 2026)

Dates: 20–24 July 2026

Venue: Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre, Hampshire, UK

Format Overview:

• Monday–Thursday: Trade & industry visitors
• Friday: Public Day

Trade days include B2B exhibitions, conferences, networking lounges, and closed-door meetings. In contrast, on the public day, the emphasis is on live flying displays, on-stand aircraft, simulators, and STEM education.

Flying Displays & Aircraft Showcases

One of the largest attractions of Farnborough is the flying displays. Even though the final list of 2026 has not been released yet, the previous ones were a force to reckon with in the case of a strong combination of commercial jets, military fighters, business aircraft, and warbirds of the past.

Typical aircraft categories include:

Commercial Aviation

• Airbus A350 / A321neo / A220
• Boeing 787 Dreamliner / 737 MAX
• Embraer E2 Jets
• ATR Turboprops

Military & Defense

• F-35 Lightning II
• Eurofighter Typhoon
• Rafale
• Apache & Chinook helicopters
• Transport aircraft (A400M, C-130, C-390)

Vintage & Heritage Aircraft

• Spitfires
• Hurricanes
• WWII trainers

Future Mobility

• eVTOL air taxis (Joby, Vertical, Lilium, etc.)
• Hydrogen-electric demonstrators
• UAV platforms & drones

The flying schedule usually rotates throughout the week, with Public Day featuring a more audience-oriented display format.

Exhibitions & Technology Pavilions

Inside the halls, visitors can expect:

• Large OEM booths (Airbus, Boeing, Lockheed, Rolls-Royce)
• Defense tech demonstrations
• Space & satellite exhibits
• Future flight & innovation zones
• STEM education pavilions
• Start-up and venture showcases

Themes to be discussed at conferences held in conjunction with the exhibition include:

• Aviation decarbonization
• Urban air mobility
• Supply chain resilience
• AI in aerospace
• Military readiness & strategic defense
• Space commercialization

Public Day Experience

Public Day (Friday, 24 July 2026) will make Farnborough more of a family-oriented airshow experience.

Expect:

• Aircraft up close on static display
• STEM education for students & schools
• Flight simulators & hands-on interactives
• Live aerobatic displays & flypasts
• Drone exhibitions & demonstrations
• Photography & spotting opportunities
• Food courts & outdoor seating
• Activities for children & young enthusiasts

It’s ideal for:

• Families
• Students exploring aviation careers
• Plane spotters & photographers
• Aviation hobbyists

Who Attends Farnborough?

Trade Attendees:

• Government & military delegations
• Airlines & fleet procurement executives
• Investors & OEMs
• Space companies
• Start-ups & accelerators
• Engineers & technologists

Public Attendees:

• Aviation fans
• Families
• School groups
• Photographers
• Media & content creators

How to Get There: Transport & Access

You can get to Farnborough through multiple modes:

By Train

Closest stations:

• • Farnborough Main
  • North Camp
  • Aldershot

By Road

• Exit M3 at Junction 4
• Follow A327/A325 into Farnborough
• Free parking available with directional signage

By Air

Closest airports:
✈ Heathrow (30 mins)
✈ Gatwick (55–70 mins)
✈ City Airport (~75 mins)
✈ Farnborough (private jets)

Chauffeur & Corporate Transfers

London chauffeur services are commonly used during Trade Days by:

• Executives
• Delegations
• Exhibitors
• VIP guests

Drop-offs are close to the gates of specific venues.

Accommodation & Where to Stay

Hotels and private Heathrow chauffeur services are always booked during trade week. The most popular ones are accommodation in:

• Farnborough (closest)
• Guildford
• Woking
• Reading
• Basingstoke
• Heathrow corridor
• Central London (for international VIPs)

Tickets, Passes & Accreditation

Trade access typically requires:

• Business registration
• Exhibitor badges
• Press accreditation
• Industry verification

Public Day offers general ticketing with optional upgrades:

• Standard entry
• Grandstand seating
• Family tickets
• Premium viewing packages

Food, Facilities & Services

On-site facilities include:

• Food stalls & catering halls
• Toilets & accessibility options
• Business lounges (trade days)
• Wi-Fi zones
• Charging stations
• Medical & first-aid points

STEM, Careers & Future Talent

Farnborough spends much on educational outreach, offering:

• • STEM zones.
  • Workshops & engineering demonstrations.
  • School programs.
  • Hands-on aerospace activities.
  • Future skills showcases.

This is why Public Day is particularly beneficial to young visitors to the aviation routes.

Final Thoughts

The Farnborough Airshow 2026 will be among the iconic worldwide aerospace, defence, and future mobility assemblies. You can come to Farnborough whether you are there for business, networking, aviation innovation, or just here to enjoy flying displays. Farnborough is sure to be a very dynamic and enjoyable experience. The 2026 Farnborough Airshow issue features sustainability, space, and next-gen flight leading the change in the industry; hence, it comes at a decisive moment in the evolution of aerospace internationally.