‘American Eagles’ confirmed for Warbirds 2026
The first major international act for next Easter’s Warbirds Over Wānaka Airshow has been confirmed.
One of the star acts of 2024, the American Eagles Jet Aerobatic Display Team is returning for the 2026 edition of the airshow, general manager Ed Taylor said.
In 2024 the four pilots put on a spectacular performance, flying their jets in formation just a metre or so apart at 600kph, he said.
“Many people just hadn’t seen civilian jets flown like that at Wānaka before. We have continued to get feedback from our fans adamant they want to see more,” he said.
They are four of the “very best civilian jet aerobatic pilots in the US coming together as the ‘American Eagles’ for Wānaka”.
Ed said they had an “even more stunning display planned for next Easter”.
He said the four pilots fly as part of the Patriots Team at airshows around the United States.
The Aero L-39 jets being used by the ‘Eagles’ will once again be provided by Craig Mossman and his team from Fighter Jets NZ.
Airshow visitors will again get the chance to book a bucket-list ride in one of the jets over the airshow weekend.
The ‘Eagles’ are just one of a number of world-class ‘teams’ being lined up for Wānaka, Ed said.
The 12-ship New Zealand Red Stars Yak Team will also be on the flightline again along with the legendary Roaring 40s Harvard Display team which traces its roots back to the very first Wānaka airshow in 1988.
There is also a brand-new four-ship team which will debut at Wānaka.
“These guys have been practising together for a couple of years now and they are promising a truly amazing display - more details are due soon,” Ed said.
He says Warbirds will announce more international acts over the next two months.
“Following the 2024 airshow many people told us that was the best Wānaka airshow yet and there was no way we could top it,” he said. “Given the big acts still to be confirmed we’re confident we can do just that.”
Find more information including tickets here.
