Yellow Ribbon Honor Flight returns to AirVenture 2026

EAA announced on Thursday that the Yellow Ribbon Honor Flight will be returning to the 2026 AirVenture on July 24.100 Vietnam War veterans will be flown to the capital to tour war memorials at no cost to them. They will then be flown back to Oshkosh at the conclusion of the Friday afternoon air show and be welcomed back by thousands of people. This is the 12th Yellow Ribbon Honor Flight at AirVenture and is organized by Missions of Honor, a non-profit organization that has organized dozens of Honor Flights since 2009, including special flights to Pearl Harbor and to Vietnam. "The Yellow Ribbon Honor Flight is one of the most memorable events of AirVenture week and our Salute to Veterans activities each year," said Rick Larsen, EAA's vice president of communities and member programming. "This event honors what Vietnam veterans did for this country and provides them an experience of a lifetime, while giving AirVenture attendees an opportunity to say, ‘Thanks and welcome home.'" The aircraft for the flight will be supplied by American Airlines and will be flown by an all-volunteer crew. Missions of Honor is inviting Oshkosh area veterans who are currently on their waitlist. Any other veterans who are attending AirVenture 2026 are invited to apply before June 6 for a drawing for one of approximately 15 seats available on the flight. RELATED STORIES:FAA releases 2026 Oshkosh NOTAM for pilots flying to AirVentureRoyal Air Force Red Arrows aerobatic team to debut at 2026 AirVentureNational WASP Museum to highlight WWII women pilots at AirVenture 2026 "Each Honor Flight mission is a special occasion, but the ability to be a part of EAA AirVenture always creates unforgettable moments," said Diane MacDonald, Missions of Honor executive director. "Honoring our local Vietnam veterans out of EAA AirVenture is such a highlight; being witness to the enthusiasm, respect, and appreciation from the world's aviation enthusiasts when the flight returns to Oshkosh is such an incredible sight to see and it means the world to the men and women who get to experience it."