URGENT UPDATE: Two elite pilots from the U.S. Navy Blue Angels are set to touch down in Cleveland today, March 25, 2024, at approximately 3:25 p.m. This visit marks an exciting lead-up to the highly anticipated 2026 Cleveland National Air Show, scheduled for Labor Day weekend, September 5-7, 2026.
Pilots Ronny Hafeza of Redondo Beach, California, and Lilly Montana of Vienna, Virginia, will conduct a breathtaking flyover in their F/A-18 Super Hornets before landing at Burke Lakefront Airport. This routine pre-season visit allows the Blue Angels to meet with air show organizers and supporting agencies, ensuring everything is set for their spectacular return.
“We are thrilled to host the U.S. Navy Blue Angels for their pre-season visit,” stated Air Show Executive Director Kim Dell. “And we are proud to be a Salute Across America 250 signature event.” Cleveland is among just 32 U.S. cities selected to showcase the Blue Angels in 2026, highlighting the city’s significance in the aviation community.
Fans can eagerly anticipate a one-hour, choreographed aerial demonstration featuring the iconic Diamond Formation, renowned for its precision and graceful aerobatics. The event will also showcase thrilling solo maneuvers that exemplify the F/A-18’s remarkable speed and agility.
The Blue Angels last graced the Cleveland skies during the 2024 air show, and their every-other-year appearance has become a hallmark of the local aviation scene. Residents and aviation enthusiasts alike are encouraged to show their support as the elite team gears up for what promises to be an unforgettable display in 2026.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story and be prepared for an aerial spectacle that will captivate audiences across the region!
