The Goodyear Blimp returned to the skies of Kent, England, on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, after a four-year absence.
It took off from Calais and traveled over Dover and Canterbury.
The 246-foot airship, filled with 297,527 cubic feet of helium, is beginning a tour of multiple flights across the country.
It typically flies between 1,000 and 1,500 feet at a top speed of 73 miles per hour.
Oshkosh Appearance Announced
The Experimental Aircraft Association announced that the Goodyear Blimp Wingfoot One will return to the annual EAA AirVenture fly-in convention.
The event takes place at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, from July 20-26, with the blimp arriving on Thursday, July 23.
The 2026 appearance marks 55 years since the Goodyear Blimp America debuted at the event in 1971.
In 2025, Goodyear brought two airships to celebrate a century of its first branded blimp, Pilgrim.
"The Goodyear Blimp is unmatched in both its pedigree and in the excitement that it generates among attendees arriving to AirVenture," said Rick Larsen, vice president of communities and member programs for EAA.
"Whether soaring through the sky or parked at Pioneer Airport, it is one of the first things visitors see when they arrive."
Larsen coordinates the features and attractions for AirVenture. He noted that the company's long-standing presence highlights the prestige of the annual gathering.
"Goodyear has been a fixture at the event over the past 50-plus years, and its presence in 2026 proves EAA AirVenture is a truly 'blimp-worthy' event," said Larsen.
On the ground, Goodyear will host an exhibitor display at booth number 489 in the Main Aircraft Display area.
It will showcase its consumer and aviation products, which historically included manufacturing hundreds of blimps for the U.
S. Navy during World War II.
"AirVenture gives us an unmatched opportunity to engage with aviation enthusiasts on the world's stage," said Joe Burke, Vice President, Global Aviation, Goodyear.
The display highlights the company's century-long history of manufacturing and tire innovation, which expanded significantly after pioneering the first live aerial coverage of a nationally televised event in 1955.
"Whether they are seeing the Goodyear Blimp overhead or engaging with our Aviation team on the ground, events like this allow us to bring our story to life," said Burke.
"We showcase both the legacy of our iconic Blimp and the innovative aviation solutions that support pilots and operators every day."
