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Wings Over Houston Proceeds Without Thunderbirds After Shutdown Grounds Military Acts

Organizers refocus the weekend show on civilian displays, featuring a rare commercial airline demonstration to sustain the experience for attendees.

Overview

  • The Oct. 18–19 air show at Ellington Airport will go on, but U.S. military and other federal aircraft are sidelined by the ongoing government shutdown.
  • United Airlines will fly a 12-minute choreographed demonstration in a Boeing 777/787, described as the first of its kind at Wings Over Houston.
  • With the Thunderbirds not performing this year, the event is offering a Jet Team Guarantee that grants 2026 general-admission tickets to 2025 buyers.
  • The lineup centers on civilian aerobatics, vintage warbirds, pyrotechnics, and ground activities, including TORA! TORA! TORA!, the RE/MAX Skydivers, and STEM exhibits.
  • Several airshows earlier in October also dropped U.S. military demonstrations, underscoring the shutdown’s wider impact on aviation events.