A Record-Breaking Crowd at Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo, Featuring NASA’s Super Guppy
The 52nd annual Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo is in full swing in Lakeland, Florida. Organizers report a significant 25% increase in ticket sales compared to last year, with an estimated 200,000-250,000 visitors expected to flood the Lakeland Linder International Airport through April 19, 2026.
Undoubtedly, the star of this year’s event is NASA’s Super Guppy aircraft, one of only four still in operation. This colossal cargo plane, revamped in 1982 but rooted in early 1960s designs, is utilized for transporting oversized cargo, including entire aircraft and rocket components. As Eric Crump, Vice President of the Aerospace Center for Excellence, points out, “NASA can take their T-38 aircraft and actually put it inside of the Super Guppy.” He also noted that the Orion spacecraft from Artemis I was transported in the Guppy.
The six-day festival is packed with daily airshows, featuring performances by the USAF Thunderbirds, F-22 Raptor Demo Team, and F-18 Rhino Demo Team. Additionally, a night airshow with fireworks is scheduled for Saturday, April 18. The event also boasts hundreds of aircraft displays, educational workshops, and family-friendly STEM activities. To encourage young aviation enthusiasts, children 12 and under are granted free admission.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman is slated to speak publicly about the Super Guppy and the recent Artemis II lunar flyby mission, engaging with questions from aviation enthusiasts.