Pacific Airshow Roared Back into Huntington Beach with Record Breaking Crowds and the Best Lineup of Performances in the Event’s History
HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA – October 10, 2023 – Rain and unseasonably cool temperatures couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the massive Pacific Airshow crowds lining Huntington Beach. They were treated to chest-pounding performances from the largest collection of civilian and military aircraft in Pacific Airshow’s seven-year history. An expanded event activation zone saw a 33-percent increase in ticketed guests in comparison to 2022.
Initial estimates are that more than 700,000 people watched the show in Huntington Beach, with thousands more watching from driveways, balconies and rooftops in surrounding cities. The clouds parted on Sunday allowing performers to do their high altitude shows, which thrilled fans in attendance.
“Pacific Airshow continues to set the bar for the industry in terms of the depth of talent and quality of the experience for millions of aviation enthusiasts across the globe,” said Kevin Elliott, executive director of Pacific Airshow. “We are so thankful to the City of Huntington Beach, the fans who supported us, the aviators, the service members and their families who make this show so spectacular.”
The three-day spectacle featured the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, Canadian Forces Snowbirds, F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team, F-35A Demo, F/A-18 Super Hornet Demo, U.S. Navy F-35C Demo, U.S. Air Force KC-135, U.S. Air Force Heritage Flight, U.S. Army Helo Demo, U.S. Navy Growler Demo, U.S. Air Force F-15s from the Bayou Militia, U.S. Navy Parachute Team Leap Frogs, and the U.S. Army Golden Knights.
Civilian performers included Matt Hall and Emma McDonald in the MXS-R aircrafts, Sammy Mason flying the Edge 540, the Ace Maker T-33 Jet 2-Ship flown by Robert “Scratch” Mitchell and Gregory “Wired” Coyler, Tom Larkin in the SubSonex Mini Jet, Jarrod Lindemann flying the Jet Waco, Lyon Air Museum’s C-47, Michael Goulian in the Extra 330SC, Aaron Fitzgerald in the Red Bull Helicopter, FedEx B757, Opener BlackFly all-electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicle, OC Fire Authority and CA ANG C-130J.
“For Huntington Beach, Pacific Airshow is as big as it gets,” said Tony Strickland, Mayor of Huntington Beach. “Since its inception seven years ago this patriotic, family friendly event has delivered a cumulative benefit to Orange County approaching one billion dollars in economic impact, all without one single arrest on our beaches. The tangible benefits of the Airshow are immense, it unites our community, supports local businesses, it showcases our city to visitors near and far all while generating more patriotism than Independence Day. I commend Kevin Elliott and his team; their professionalism, integrity and commitment to Huntington Beach are second to none.”
Pacific Airshow is now the largest airshow on two continents with the expansion to Gold Coast Australia. The inaugural year drew more than 300,000 people, making it the largest attended airshow in Australian history. As the only multi-national airshow in the world, Pacific Airshow is now looking at exporting its brand in Europe, Asia Pacific and the Middle East.
“We are on a mission to inspire people and nations to find common ground and inspiration through aviation,” said Elliott. “Our vision is to one day create an international airshow schedule and experience that becomes like that of Formula 1.”
