The Blue Angels wowed audiences at the Air Dot Show in Cocoa Beach April 11-12.
It was the first of five Florida performances by the precision U.S. Navy flying team this year.
The Blue Angels are based at the Naval Air Station Pensacola, and perform all over the U.S.
➤ Blue Angels perform in Pensacola twice in 2026, 2027
Here’s everything you need to know, including a little background on who they are.
Who are the Blue Angels?
“The mission of the United States Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron is to showcase the teamwork and professionalism of the United States Navy and Marine Corps by inspiring a culture of excellence and service to country through flight demonstrations and community outreach,” the Blue Angels posted on its website.
➤ 10 things to know about the Blue Angels
Their precision flying has been amazing audiences since the team’s performance at an air show at Craig Field in Jacksonville in June 1946.
An estimated 11 million spectators view the squadron during air shows each year.
Photos, videos of Blue Angels in Cocoa Beach April 11-12
Where will Blue Angels perform in Florida in 2026?
Here are upcoming performances by the Blue Angels in Florida:
➤ See full schedule of performances across the US in 2026
Do you need tickets to watch the Blue Angels perform?
That depends on the venue. Most air shows do charge admission and many also offer VIP or reserved seating, although the Homecoming show in Pensacola has free general admission.
Want to watch for free? Try public beaches or open, public areas near the airport where they’re performing. Have a boat? You can watch from there, too, but just check the Viewing from a Boat website.
Ticket prices for Vero Beach Air Show
Taking place May 15-17, the Vero Beach Air Show is the second Florida performance by the Blue Angels. The Blue Angels will perform on May 16 and May 17.
Here’s the variety of tickets available and how much they cost:
How close do Blue Angels jets fly?
During the Diamond 360 maneuver, the closest the Blue Angels will fly is 18 inches.
How fast do Blue Angels fly at air shows?
The fastest speed is about 700 mph — just under Mach 1 — during the Sneak Pass.
Will I hear a sonic boom during Blue Angels performance?
While it’s loud, don’t except to hear any sonic booms.
“Sonic booms occur when an aircraft surpasses the speed of sound. At a Blue Angels air show, there should never be a sonic boom, as we are not authorized to exceed the speed of sound at a show,” according to the Blue Angels website.
“On occasion, spectators may have mistaken the sound of engines at a high-power setting approaching the speed of sound for a sonic boom.”
How low do Blue Angels fly at air shows?
The lowest the Blue Angels fly during an air show also happens during the Sneak Pass. While the height varies according to weather conditions, it can be as low as 50 feet.
What type of plane do the Blue Angels fly?
Since November 2020, the Blue Angels have flown the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet.
Why are Blue Angels jets blue and gold?
The jets showcase the official colors of the U.S. Navy.
Blue Angels 2027 Florida schedule
Here’s where the Blue Angels plan to perform in Florida in 2027:
➤ See full schedule of performances across the US in 2027
Cheryl McCloud is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida’s service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://tcpalm.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Want to catch Blue Angels performance? Photos, next Florida air show
Reporting by Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Treasure Coast Newspapers
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
