Palo Alto Airport Day is an event free to all attendees and where everyone is welcome to attend!
Exhibits may include airplane and helicopter displays, air traffic control tower tours, aircraft flyovers, food trucks, local businesses, and a bounce house for kids!
Come enjoy learning about the numerous benefits our local airport brings to the community while seeing new and vintage aircraft.
Interested in learning what it takes to become a pilot? This is the place!
Biking to the event recommended – bike parking provided
Palo Alto Airport Day History
See images and videos from previous years below.
2024 Palo Alto Airport Day
2024 Palo Alto Airport Day was held on Sunday September 29, 2024.
2024 Airport Day draws record crowds, reveals persisting local enthusiasm for advanced aerospace tech and the wonder of flight.
Attendance at Airport Day 2024 was estimated to be over 5000, the most ever. The largest fraction was of families with children demonstrating the famed technical curiosity and zeal of area youth. Many arrived before opening, or lingered well after closing, determined to have their turn inside their favorite aircraft. Event traffic exceeded expectations and planners are working to improve access next year.
Popular highlights included the control tower tour which was fully booked shortly after opening, interior visits in helicopters from Stanford Life Flight, the US Coast Guard, a restored Vietnam era Bell Huey, a fixed wing T-6 Texan (1940’s military trainer), a Piper M600 business turboprop, and the latest Cirrus SR22T G7. Aircraft owners generously welcomed long lines of patient visitors through their aircraft, motivated by their desire to share their special experience with others.

The “Beech Boys” provided formation flyovers. A variety of other aircraft were available for exterior viewing. Local start ups presented game changing air travel innovations nearing production. Non aviation exhibits included a PAFD Fire Truck, Palo Alto OES with their MEOC and booths of crafts and activities for children.
Attendee and 15 year Palo Alto resident Jazz Sabian shared, “My son Daniel and I look forward to Airport Day, now an annual tradition of ours. It’s an unusual opportunity to see these marvels of aviation engineering up close and to talk with the passionate people who fly and care for them. The landing of the legendary Huey helicopter was especially unforgettable. I’m hoping to enroll my 12-year-old in flying lessons in the future. We can’t wait to come back next year and make more memories. Our airport is a hidden gem where the pilots and employees have always made us feel welcomed.”
Photos: Credit Ken Hamel
Video Credit: Jazz Sabian
2023 Palo Alto Airport Day
The 2023 Palo Alto Airport Day was held on Sunday September 24 from 10am to 2pm.
2023 Palo Alto Airport Day flyer in PDF
no images were found
2019-2022
There was no Palo Alto Airport Day event in 2019 due to renovations at the airport, nor in 2020 through 2022 due to continued renovations and the COVID-19 pandemic.
2017 Palo Alto Airport Day
2017 Palo Alto Airport Day flyer
YouTube videos:
Palo Alto airport day – 11-ship formation flight
no images were found
2016 Palo Alto Airport Day
2016 Palo Alto Airport Day flyer
2015 Palo Alto Airport Day
2015 Palo Alto Airport Day flyer
no images were found
2014
YouTube videos:
- Palo Alto Airport day – Roll to the right
- Missing Man Formation – Palo Alto Airport Day
- Palo Alto Airport Day 9/29/14 (Created with Magisto)
2013 Palo Alto Airport Day
YouTube videos:
- Palo Alto Airport Day 2013
- Palo Alto Airport Day
- Palo Alto Airport Day – Rough Cut – Interviews
- Palo Alto Airport Day 2013 Fly-Over Onboard (with ATC Audio)
no images were found
2009 Palo Alto Airport Day
YouTube videos:
- Palo Alto Airport Day 2009
- Palo Alto Airport Day Flight I 9/12/09 #5081
- Palo Alto Airport Day Flight II 9-12-09 #5082
- Palo Alto Airport Day Flight III 9-12-09 MVI 5083
- Palo Alto Airport Day Flight IV 9-12-09 MVI 5087
2005 Palo Alto Airport Day
no images were found
2004 Palo Alto Airport Day
YouTube videos:
Palo Alto Airport Day 2004