Andrews AFB Air Show

The greatest show on earth!!! Too bad its not still every year!

Made our third trip to this air show, this past September. The performers and the static displays are top-​notch. The price is right, too. Area of improvement: getting on to, and off of the base. More on that later.
Performers this year included a pair to prop-​driven aerobatic planes, an F-​22, a P-​51D, a SOCOM parachute team, a rocket-​powered truck (which afforded insight into my 10-​yr old daughter’s redneck streak), and the Thunderbirds! All were awesome. The two-​hours to get on post from the beltway meant that we missed a couple of performers.
Excellent static displays, too, with service men and women nearby to talk about their wares, so to speak. That aspect is kid friendly. However, be aware that there is a lot of walking, and little shade. Bring a chair, sunglass, and sunscreen. Also, be prepared to wait in long lines.
Security is tight. Some improved communication would’ve prevented us from dumping water in the security line when we read the sign saying no beverages (but the website indicated water stations to fill bottles would be available) — upon reaching the staff, we learned that water is not considered a beverage. It was a hot day. Bummer. Sign also said no backpacks, but that apparently wasn’t accurate, either.
Logistics. The first two years we took the metro, and then caught a shuttle bus. Long lines at security to get to the base. Even longer lines at the base, when leaving the show. Hard to complain too much for the quality of the show, and the free price tag … but, still — a few more buses would be nice. This year, we opted for driving to FedEx field — the other option to rendezvous with the necessary shuttle buses. That was a terrible option. Signs along the beltway directed us to an exit that took us … and 10,000 of our friends … literally through an outdoor shopping mall. Bizarre and a huge time sink. Upon arriving at the stadium we ended up in a line that ultimately wove in and out of various parking areas in a path which ended up going ¾ of the way around the stadium … and then walked the final ¼ to get to the security lines to then be dumped in a HUUUUGE bus line. That part stunk. The rest of the day was awesome!
Nothing like the sound of a GE or P&W turbo fan pushing some sexy iron through the sky and flying directly overhead. Rock on, man! That, and the service men and women at the show are always very cool, and helpful. We appreciate their service.

Awesome!
So many airplanes and so many people. Also tons of freebies. Really cool show!
Parking lots are far and you must wait for the shuttle bus for a while. You can not take backpacks. It seems ok for the people carrying baby stuff though.
You should experience it, if you like airplanes! Super loud. Oh, do not forget earplugs:)

Perfect day, great turn out,
and I had one fantastic time.

My boyfriend might call me crazy for this, but I havent been impressed by this Air Show at all. We took our friends son the past two years because he LOVES planes. We basically spent a loooong time baking in the sun and saw very few planes flying. The lines to go into the display planes were ridiculous. Even worse after I realized that people were just hanging out in the planes, eating, resting… not moving. That’s just rude when LINES of kids are waiting to see the inside of the plane ur camped out in… The lines for everything were out of control, there was no room to sit down & after being there for hours this year, we only saw a total of TWO planes flying. I do have to note tho, that the soldiers & airmen were really nice to my lil 4 yr old friend at this event. Answered endless questions and lifted him up to the high seats in the planes. He thought he was so cool hanging with those guys :-)
Ive only been to Air Shows at two other bases. BOTH put this one to shame. Free isn’t always worth it and next year, I will not attend.

You can’t help but love this show. If you have kids, you have to bring them at least once. The show is well produced and there’s plenty to look at and do. I have a huge appreciation for the well planned shuttle service from FedEx Field to the Air Show. The lines are long, but they move fairly quickly, considering.
Do consider that you’re going to spend some cash on food, drinks, etc. but everything was reasonably priced and the event itself is free. If you really want to enjoy the show, bring some folding chairs and blankets to sit on. DON’T forget suntan lotion. There really isn’t any shade.
Support your military and enjoy some free entertainment while you’re at it.

We went to the show today. My son loves airplanes so I thought it would be interesting to go. It was exciting at first since I have never been to a show of this kind. I saw a lot of families with more little boys than girls. My perspective is not going to be awestruck and impressed since I am really not into airplane aerodynamics, technology, etc. However, I would love to foster that love into my son for future endeavors.
We were coming from Alexandria, so we drove to the Branch Hill Metro, and it was a pretty smooth process since we got there around 9 am. Boarded the school bus shuttle, and arrived to see, board, and touch huge and small spectacular planes, helicopters, tanks, and horses! I really felt proud of our armed forces when I saw all of them being courteous and talking to people.
I didn’t know what to expect, but I thought there would be a lot of grassy areas, and if you walk mid-​way on the sides there are. At first, we stood for 2 hours on the airfield where most of the spectators park their chairs to have a front row seat. Later, we found a canopy, one of few, where we sat under in a grassy area. The problem I had was that it was very sunny and the airfield is white concrete/​tarmac/​whatever so with the sun and few clouds it was bright and scorching hot. I brought sunblock for my son, but failed to put it on my face so I am now typing this with a very hot, itchy, and sun burnt face. My fault. We also didn’t want to bring chairs because we thought that our tot wouldn’t sit in one place. Big mistake. So this evening we went to Dick’s Sporting Goods and bought $ 80 worth of chairs with canopies and a sun hat for myself, just in case we go back tomorrow.
It wasn’t packed with too many people as the area with the airplanes on display was wide and vast so people were spread out. Another bad thing is the food is very expensive so I brought about $ 80 in cash just in case we had planned on staying until 5 pm. My husband bought one large chicken hot dog and one bottled soda for $ 8. Can you imagine, they didn’t even have BEEF hot dogs like 7 – 11 at least. Before going here, you should scarf down the hot dogs at home or 7 – 11. For $ 5 you can get a package of 8 beef hot dogs at Wal-​mart. For a family of 4, it would have cost $ 32 and still would not have made you full. I had wanted to get gyros, but my husband refused to stand in line for at least 30 minutes to an hour for them. You’ll also have to periodically hydrate yourself and buy beverages at $ 3 to $ 5 a pop. There were little tanks of water for free, but my husband said it was lukewarm. This year though, Ocean Spray was offering free juice samples so you could literally stay hydrated by going back every hour and chugging down 2 small cups full. I liked the $ 5 strawberry smoothies, which we got one of, and it cooled all three of us down. And we could drink that every 2 hours, if need be.
About the actual air show, I thought my son would be in awe with eyes wide open and mouth open, but he was not! I was really perturbed that he was not following the airplanes and their death defying tricks. I was impressed by the planes when they would go up at 90 degrees, hover, and then shoot back down at 90 degrees. After a while though, it got old. Call me jaded. Maybe I am too used to the movies that show planes up close on the television. The problem I realized is that the planes are so far away like 3 miles if not more and so far up, it’s not that exciting. Like watching tiny legos go up in the air with smoke coming out of them. When my husband was in the army, he said he would be part of and/​or watch airshows in Germany where the planes were practically on top of you and a lot closer, but due to accidents and deaths, I suppose they have changed the climate of these air shows now. Well, I have never been to the air show here so maybe they were never like the ones my husband is referring to. My son is too used to the planes being right on top of you, as am I, at Gravelly Park at Reagan airport that the planes today weren’t really catching and holding his interest. He was in awe of the parachuters gliding down though. He was more into playing with a toy plane I got at CVS for $ 4. He was also the happiest chasing and playing around with a boy his age. He could have done this at our local playground!
In the end, we were there from 9 am, and had to leave at 2:30 pm. We were too parched and hot to watch anymore. However, we may go again tomorrow because when is the next time we’ll be able to stand on an airfield again? This event may be free, but you’ll have to spend a pretty penny just to get nice cold drinks and food so take plenty of cash. The lines for the ATM machines were really long. I also thought it would be spectacular if it was a bright sunny day with blue skies. Wrong. It was excruciating if you did not have sunglasses and a hat.

Seriously awesome show. Thunderbirds clearly the highlight, but heaps of other stunt planes, parachutists etc. The MIG and the Hornet were completely spectacular. Something flying past with death defying feats every 20 mins or so. Plenty of planes etc on the ground too, many of which you can walk through.
As other reviews say, it is completely free, although i think maybe they have racked up the price of the food over previous years — $ 3 water, and $ 7 for chicken and sauce on a bun (dont think about any salad on that). So, bring your own food if you can. Backpacks limited to 1 cubic foot.
Would not recommend to take kids under 3 given the noise of the faster planes (Hornet broke the sounds barrier –there was a mass exodus of crying little ones after that.). But plenty for older kids, including some (overpriced) rides.
We escaped most of the crowds by driving, parking at FedEx around 11am and then jumping on one of the many buses. We headed back around 3.30pm, just before the Thunderbirds finished (when I think a lot of folk would have left). We found no problems with long lines, but a bit of a procedure as FedEx isnt that close to Andrews.
One tip — if you just want to enjoy a quick slice. Drive to where the end of the runway at Andrews meets the public road area — plenty of people pulled over there enjoy a hassle free show.

Often people look for spectacular free bees. Well this is pretty spectacular and it’s free. It’s the annual Joint Operations Open house at Andrews AFB. Located in Camp Springs MD. The only way to get there nowadays is park at FedEx Field and let the shuttle bus take you there. Back in the pre 911 days I just drove up on the base and parked any where I pleased (except the air stripe) and walked just about anywhere I pleased. But that’s ancient history. Security is tight so they make you go through the usual metal detectors and search your bags. With the USMC on guard don’t even think about bringing bottle anything buy it there they have vendors set up all about the show area $ 1.50 for water won’t hurt you. Vendor prices are within reason. Which brings me to «It’s like a BBQ mil style» where else can you mix great high performance aircraft past and present and see one of the best airshows (the Blue Angels or Thunder-​birds) ever. All manor of aircraft on display from small almost toy like 2 seat training planes to the huge C5 Galaxy that can haul an entire neighborhood in it’s belly. WW 2 and older vintage planes to modern stealth planes. You might even see the Army Golden Knights (elite Parachute group). Last time I was there they had a jet car trying to crack the sound barrier on land (didn’t get that fast, he ran out of runway). So if you want to see what is up in the sky this is definitely the place to be. All military personal are very helpful in directing you and answering questions or posing for a picture with their aircraft or you. May 16^th and 17^th 2009 for general public 15^th for mil and special groups.

Derryk — Totally agree with you that this is a spectacular event. I was there last year, took tons of photos:
But I have to say the logistics of getting there and leaving were HORRIBLE. I took public transportation, took the shuttles from the Branch Ave Metro Station (Green Line). There was hundreds of people going through security and waiting for the shuttle when I got there. So get there early! You can also drive and park at the Fedex field and take the shuttle. Not sure if it’s better. Same huge lines when you are leaving… it just crazy of how long you have to wait to get out.
But it’s worth it to check out the amazing Blue Angels. There’s really no bad spots to watch the show. You can see there from any where at the base, cuz they just fly over your head!!! Best of all… it’s FREE!
Official site for the air show: