Wondering when the Blue Angels are arriving in Seattle for Seafair’s 2025 Air Show?

| Blue Angels | West Seattle news

(Blue Angels and West Seattle, photographed from Queen Anne last year by Monica Zaborac)

Yes, it’s that time of year, already. The Blue Angels are based at nearby Boeing Field while in Seattle for the Seafair Air Show, so we usually publish info about their schedule for those who want to be forewarned, whatever the reason. Usually one jet arrives early for media and dignitary ride-alongs, but the main group arrival has been announced by Seafair as around 1:30-2 pm on Wednesday (July 30). Their practice shows will be Thursday and Friday (July 31-August 1), and their official shows as part of Seafair’s big weekend will be Saturday and Sunday, August 2-3. This year they’ll be the airshow finale both days so they’re not scheduled to fly until around 3:35 pm. The Museum of Flight is having its annual Jet Blast Bash both days (admission is charged unless you’re a member) and that will include a view of the runway as they take off, but they’re not parking the jets out in the open south of the museum any more – they’ll be elsewhere at Boeing Field, where Seafair is selling tickets to their famous “walkdown” ceremonies Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Earwig July 25, 2025 (11:40 am)

“670 tons of carbon emissions in one weekend”
and
sonic damage to everything with ears.

Why continue such a harmful pointless display and waste?

Seattle Scouser July 25, 2025 (12:13 pm)

+1
Derp July 25, 2025 (12:21 pm)

The sounds and smells of Freedom.
- Carole July 25, 2025 (1:19 pm)
  
  Lame.
BugZapper July 25, 2025 (12:49 pm)

Ignorance is bliss…and ear wigs are gross. “… A typical semi-truck produces roughly 223 tons of carbon dioxide per year according to FreightWaves. This is equivalent to the carbon footprint of about 14 people in the United States …”
I hate them too July 25, 2025 (12:57 pm)

Agreed! A complete waste of money and incredibly damaging to the environment, wildlife, and pets. Time to end this nonsense
- timay July 30, 2025 (7:19 am)
  
  so…..they have been doing this prob longer than you have lived here. And fighter jets fly in and out of KBFI all the time..Just close your window. I have a cat and she doesnt freak out like you are.
wink&nod July 29, 2025 (7:49 am)

670 metric tons of estimated emissions for Seafair weekend is significant. And, since there’s so much excitement around AI, wanted to share that it’s estimated that one day of ChatGPT usage produces as much CO2 as a little more than EIGHT Blue Angels Seafair weekends. And that’s only one platform—ChatGPT. Microsoft, for example, doesn’t share its daily query numbers, and countless other companies, including the one I work for, are rapidly developing their own AI systems. None of that is included in this estimate. It’s like we’re inventing new ways to generate carbon emissions that are far more insidious and less visible than a spectacular Blue Angels show. And mea culpa – I am guilty of both enjoying the Blue Angels and of using AI so I’m not trying to lecture – just sharing some info. I worry slightly less about AI overlords taking over and slightly more about the damage being rapidly done to the environment,
Donnel July 30, 2025 (9:40 am)

Because it is awesome that’s why. WHY DONT YOU FIND SOMETHING ELSE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT. PEOPLE LIKE YOU ALWAYS DO.

junctioneer July 25, 2025 (11:57 am)

Hm. I’m not quite sure your source, but Thursday usually is the practice day, and Friday is a full show day just like Saturday and Sunday, it’s just “free.” The current SeaFair website confirms this is the same this year too and includes the schedule.

WSB July 25, 2025 (12:22 pm)

My source is, covering this for a gazillion years. Though the Friday performance looks a lot like Saturday and Sunday, it is considered a practice show, and Saturday-Sunday are the official shows. (That’s why Friday is free if you go to the lake, for example, and why the Angels just list Aug. 2-3 as the airshow on their official schedule.) “Practice” does not only mean the maneuvers they run on Thursday. – TR
- junctioneer July 25, 2025 (12:54 pm)
  
  Fair enough, but Thursday “practice” is not the same as Friday’s “practice.” Friday’s “practice” is the indeed the full show, and thus in your original text where you indicate the Sat/Sun finale I would expect to have Fri listed too (they’ll be flying at 3:35pm), which is why I brought this up in the first place.

Jake July 25, 2025 (11:57 am)

Boy I cannot stand this. Good weekend to leave town.

Jen July 25, 2025 (12:27 pm)

YAY! I love seeing them every year!

Rhonda July 25, 2025 (1:04 pm)

I can hardly wait. The Blue Angels are the best part of our Seattle area summers. #GoNavy 🇺🇲⚓💪

Carole July 25, 2025 (1:20 pm)

Tired and common responce.
- Fitness Dude July 25, 2025 (5:08 pm)
  
  I agree with Rhonda. Around 3 million people around the greater Seattle area will watch these brave precision pilots…..the best of the best…..do amazing things. It’s especially thrilling for kids and for those of us who serve aboard aircraft carriers.
- CarDriver July 25, 2025 (5:31 pm)
  
  Carole. Correct in assuming you hate all the noise and pollution from commercial airlines? After all they make noise and pollute.
  - Carole July 25, 2025 (6:33 pm)
    
    An odd and unsophisticated assumption. Good luck to you.
  - Nolan July 25, 2025 (11:50 pm)
    
    Can you really not think of a single meaningful difference between fighter jets repeatedly doing low flybys over the city core and passenger jets with approach vectors that minimize noise pollution?
    - Carole July 26, 2025 (11:06 am)
      
      We’ll let you think about that. Or at least try to.

NO July 25, 2025 (1:27 pm)

Not necessary – it’s a waste of money.

Scarlett July 25, 2025 (2:09 pm)

There is literally not a single country, or region in the world where the U.S. hasn’t intervened to dispose, or install a leader, or to provide arms to quell a popular people’s movement – the list goes on and on and on. I can do without reminders of this un-American tradition.

Eyesonthesky July 25, 2025 (2:09 pm)

The more Blue Angels, the better!

Carole July 25, 2025 (6:36 pm)

Less would be more in this scenario. They are obnoxious.

Cloudbreak98136 July 25, 2025 (5:16 pm)

I am sure you will get around to it later, however wondering if there has been any advance bulletin about traffic closures over the Blue Angels weekend. Have not yet found anything on the WSDOT website, app, etc. notices.Somewhere I heard that I-90 will not be closed during the Blue Angels show. However have not found any official mention of that detail.

WSB July 25, 2025 (5:53 pm)

It’s been years since those closures stopped.

Carole July 25, 2025 (5:17 pm)

We managed to get rid of gassy leaf blowers. The bombastic fighter jets are next. It’s time to evolve.

aa July 29, 2025 (6:47 am)

Gas leaf blowers still exist. I hear and see them every day. I think there is a cut off date but it hasn’t happened yet.

Dysfunction July 25, 2025 (5:51 pm)

The Blue Angels have been performing here for decades. It’s 4 days. I’m guessing the complainers are just really anti military. The common complaining points:Pollution: That is a drop in the bucket and a tired view. Noise: They aren’t louder than the Harley down the road from me, and all the other loud things in a big city. Hard on wildlife and pets: It never bothered any of the dogs that I’ve had for 50 years at all. And by the way military jets spend a lot of time flying over the wilderness and the wildlife there is fine. Waste of money: The pilots are still active duty and can be called to serve anywhere so this is regular required flying hours

Nolan July 25, 2025 (11:52 pm)

It’s impressively nihilistic to consider pollution concerns “tired”.
k July 26, 2025 (7:54 am)

It is a waste of money. Each of these shows costs hundreds of thousands of dollars at a time when all we ever hear from the feds is that we can’t afford to feed people or help them rebuild after disasters. And, no, the money would not be spent anyway just because the pilots are active duty. Please learn something about how the military works, the logistics involved in doing these shows, and the type of aircraft involved. You are SUPER super wrong about this.
Earwig July 26, 2025 (10:20 am)
- The F/A-18 Super Hornet produces noise levels around 130-140 decibels.

Seattlite July 25, 2025 (6:28 pm)

I love the Blue Angels….All American at its best. England’s Red Arrows are also top notch.

GrownupGrogu July 26, 2025 (3:37 pm)

And Palestine’s Starving Streakers!! Top notch.
- Seattlite July 27, 2025 (4:00 pm)
  
  GrownUpGroGu: What does your comment have to do with the Blue Angels’ and Red Arrows’ popular aerobatic, precision flying air shows?

Tom M. July 25, 2025 (6:33 pm)

if people are so concerned about noise, perhaps you should do something about the hot rods blowing through our neighborhoods at 75mph in the middle of the night. I am absolutely sickened by some of these comments, obviously made by those without the courage or conviction to make the sacrifices necessary to ensure our freedom.to Quote Voltaire, “I don’t agree with anything you have to say, but I will defend to the death. You’re right to say it.On behalf of the entire military community… you’re welcome.

Sunrise Heights July 25, 2025 (7:41 pm)

It’s possible to not like recreational shows of militarism and still appreciate the purpose and function of the military as well as the service of those in it. It’s also possible to appreciate the skill of the pilots but find the noise jarring and stressful. Hopefully we are all capable of more nuanced thought than what this and other posts reflect or assume.
Carole July 25, 2025 (8:13 pm)

Voltaire. If he could, he would not let you into the situation room. How sad. Tom. Think about it. I take it you have the time.
Scarlett July 25, 2025 (8:48 pm)

Refresh my memory, Tom, but what was the war fought to defend our freedoms? I see a lot of US involvement in wars and interventions with none having anything to do with defending our shores. (And, by the way, courage can be independent of whether something is right, or not. I’m sure there were many brave German soldiers in WWII who were thrown into a war that should never have been.) Oh, and the part about defending my freedom to say something? Its in our Bill of Rights, no Frenchie needed.
Nolan July 25, 2025 (11:52 pm)

Which “sacrifices” are you referring to? Be specific.
- Seattlite July 26, 2025 (8:03 am)
  
  Nolan, you don’t know “which sacrifices” were given for the USA and its freedom? How very sad.

K July 25, 2025 (6:47 pm)

Government cutting funding for basic needs left and right citing poverty. But somehow have money for this ecological disaster.

Carole July 25, 2025 (8:10 pm)

K. Yes. Blue Angels are no longer important to peace. If they were, we might have peace. The Sound of Freedom? I don’t think so.
- Canton July 26, 2025 (5:02 am)
  
  Hi Carole. Your opinion is ONE out of many… Us Seattle folk love Seafair and ALL that it represents. Your opinion is that…, yours. You don’t speak for the majority. Have a great Seafair weekend, and let others have a great one as well.
  - Carole July 26, 2025 (10:39 am)
    
    Your opinions are provincial and very right wing. You could go to an airshow. They do not need to come to us.
  - Carole July 26, 2025 (10:43 am)
    
    ” Us Seattle folk love Seafair and ALL that it represents.”That statement is simply not true.
  - Carole July 26, 2025 (11:28 am)
    
    If you insist.
    - ltmmgm July 26, 2025 (6:32 pm)
      
      Carole- Do you have a problem with the constant noise from the Hydro’s too? I personally love everything about Seafair!

CarDriver July 25, 2025 (8:33 pm)

The Blue Angels and the military are needed. Clearly you, and others believe otherwise. Throwing out vague(and lame) reasons for their dismantling doesn’t advance your cause. It simply reinforces the fact that lame and vague arguments will be recognized for what they are. Eagerly awaiting substantive ideas.

Fiddlesticks July 25, 2025 (8:38 pm)

Woohoo!!!

Yma July 25, 2025 (8:43 pm)

Awesome sight. Amazing pilots.Love this long-time Seattle tradition.

MrB July 25, 2025 (9:04 pm)

Sound of freedom.

Carole July 26, 2025 (11:10 am)

Common.

Dysfunction July 25, 2025 (9:56 pm)

It’s 4 days, get over it. They are coming again, just as they have for decades. They’ll be here next year. Because the vast majority of people enjoy it. It’s not like they are hovering over your house. They buzz by, and really aren’t that loud compared to all the other noise in this city. I really can’t believe people are that bothered by them. I guess if you look for things to dislike you can find them all over.

Amuzed July 25, 2025 (10:58 pm)

I’m curious to know how many Anti-Blue Angel folks on this string have had or not had family members in the military. Because, you all also drive electric cars, bike or walk everywhere?

k July 26, 2025 (8:03 am)

Yes, I grew up on military bases, including in Pensacola where the Blue Angels are based. I loved air shows as a kid, but then I grew up. What I remember about growing up in a military family was them re-painting all of the houses on our base every 2-3 years. We got 2 new roofs in the 6 years we were at one post. What I learned is that the government wastes a lot of money. I also remember my dad applying for part-time retail jobs in the evening, because the military meets basic needs of its members, but not much above that. All while wasting money on things like this vainglorious recruitment tool. So if anything, it’s BECAUSE I grew up in a military family that I think this show is a complete waste.
- K July 26, 2025 (11:01 am)
  
  And if there are people in this thread who don’t have family members in the military, does that make their opinion invalid? Even if they’re pro-air show? What if all of the people from military don’t like the Blue Angels show? Does that change or invalidate your opinion?
Sunrise Heights July 26, 2025 (10:07 am)

This is classic simplistic MAGA thinking. If you don’t like something I like, you must be against me and my people. You can’t be against unnecessary pollution unless you’ve purged your whole life of polluting things that are necessary for everyday functioning. Nothing is so simple. I actively work against pollution in my life even though I find it hard to avoid driving more than I would like because of work and family even though I drive a hybrid. My carbon footprint isn’t perfect, but I try to minimize it in the ways that I can. Does that mean I can’t wish that recreational polluting didn’t happen? FWIW, I’m not here even to say this event shouldn’t happen. I’d be fine if it didn’t because I don’t enjoy it. Does that make me anti-America or anti-military in your book — because I don’t look up and get filled with patriotic sentimentality by this particular spectacle? Come on. That’s not how people work. You, hopefully, are capable of more subtle thought and attitudes than that. Give others the same due.
Pancakes July 26, 2025 (10:07 am)

Ah, yes, the “you like pancakes, so you must hate waffles” argument. There is such a thing as nuance.
Carole July 26, 2025 (10:42 am)

That’s really none of your bussines, as well as a very weak and pointless arguement.
Scarlett July 26, 2025 (11:08 am)

Most of us probably have a relative in the military, past or present, but its irrelevant. I don’t live vicariously through the military exploits of my father or uncles , like many do, and pretend to know what it was really like in the trenches of war. There is a vast difference, too, between a conscripted military engaged in legitimate conflicts and a volunteer military intervening around the world for dubious purposes like hired guns. So, this is why I don’t want to have reminders of our military industrial complex rammed down my throat at every public venue, from a baseball game to a football game to a Seafair event.

C Krefting July 26, 2025 (12:27 pm)

What we want and what we get are often two different things.

VapoCOOL July 26, 2025 (2:54 pm)

You can avoid all the noise and crowds…, Plan a trip to the ocean next weekend. :D

Carole July 26, 2025 (4:08 pm)

And you and yours could plan a trip to an airshow which ususally occur in huge fields with no houses below! The Paris Air Show is superb!

Brett C July 26, 2025 (7:25 pm)

Good point dys function I live on Beach drive and endure 365 days a year of loud obnoxious noise from the disrespectful punks that go twice the speed limit reckless driving they’re stupid motorcycles and dumb cars they put the safety of the community at risk whereas the Blue Angels bring tradition and joy to us every year

Actually Mike July 27, 2025 (1:09 pm)

It’s sad to see folks getting all jacked up about the machinery of death. There may be a time and a place for that stuff, but this isn’t it. Winston Churchill had a pointed observation about traditions in his Navy, and this isn’t anything more special than that.

Andrew July 28, 2025 (7:30 am)

It legitimately makes me sad to see that we’ve become so divisive where the Blue Angels becomes a point of contention.

I’m pro Blue Angels. Why? Well, I’m not going to say because this topic isn’t worth fueling the flames of division.

Let’s strive to approach discourse with an open hand rather than a closed fist. This is how we start turning The Divided States of America back into The United States of America

Carole July 29, 2025 (7:47 pm)

Right from ”the start”, we’ve always been a divided country. The Blue Angels are not helping the country. They are helping Boeing and Lockheed and Raytheon.
Seattlite July 30, 2025 (12:04 pm)

Andrew….Most Americans love the traditional Americana of the Blue Angels including the excitement of seeing the best pilots perform their expert flying skills. The naysayers are just that naysayers naysaying for the sake of it.
- Carole July 30, 2025 (3:33 pm)
  
  Naysayers? The word is Thinkers.
  - Seattlite July 30, 2025 (6:24 pm)
    
    Your comment is a great example of a naysayer’s comment. Good job.

Scarlett July 29, 2025 (11:46 am)

I disagree. We need vigorous, even contentious, debate more than ever. We don’t fix the serious problems in society by singing kumbaya, because reconciliation usually means acquiescence and capitulation. Underneath all the norms of polite society, it’s still a brutal schoolyard brutal power and financial struggle. There aren’t any political divisions in the country, neither are there divisions between people who know right from wrong; the division is between people who have the courage to act and those who don’t. And it starts with ourselves and our political coterie we alleged aligned with.

Andrew July 30, 2025 (9:36 am)

We’re just going to have to agree to disagree. Enjoy Seafair!
- Scarlett July 30, 2025 (10:39 am)
  
  Can’t argue with that, thanks.
Seattlite July 30, 2025 (12:04 pm)

Scarlett…That is a great word salad.

Carole July 30, 2025 (8:06 am)

The U.S. Navy Blue Angels, while known for their precision flying, have a history of crashes resulting in fatalities. Over their 77-year history, 26 pilots and one crew member have died in crashes. The majority of these incidents occurred between 1946 and 1985. More recently, crashes include one in 2007, and another in 2016.

Seattlite July 30, 2025 (11:57 am)

What is the point of your comment? How many car crashes occur in one day across this Nation with injuries or fatalities vs the Blue Angels’ history in your comment?
- Carole July 30, 2025 (3:30 pm)
  
  Apples and oranges. We get around in cars. Do you get around in one of your very pricey Blue Angels, Tom Cruise?
  - Seattlite July 30, 2025 (6:22 pm)
    
    A snarky answer because it is not “apples and oranges.” Instead, it shows a contrast between exaggeration and facts. There were approximately 16.4 MILLION car crashes each year in the USA. In 2023, approx. 40,000 people dies in car crashes. Compare that to military and commercial airplane mishaps. There are approx. 1,100 non-fatal plane crashes per year and fatal plane crashes rarely occur. This information is on-line.

earwig July 30, 2025 (11:16 am)

1962 Blue Angels visit to Seattle World’s Fair pilot ejects after engine failure.

The crash killed Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Smith, destroyed two homes, and damaged five others in Montlake Terrace.

Genesee5Points July 30, 2025 (1:47 pm)

Seafair weekend is the BEST weekend of the year… I feel so much pride in my own Naval service when I see those six beacons of freedom and power screaming over Lake Washington at 500 kts! GO NAVY… HOOYAH!

Carole July 30, 2025 (3:27 pm)

And just like that! Freedom and Power is taken away by the current regime. Blue Angels….if only you could, please bring Freedom and Power back. Beacons?
- Seattlite July 30, 2025 (6:10 pm)
  
  What freedoms and powers have been taken away?
  - Carole July 30, 2025 (7:11 pm)
    
    Nice try.
- Genesee5Points July 31, 2025 (7:59 am)
  
  Yes, beacons! The definition is almost perfect for the Blue Angels… They are both a warning and a celebration, displayed in a prominent (high) position. bea·con/ˈbēk(ə)n/noun
  1. a fire or light set up in a high or prominent position as a warning, signal, or celebration.”a chain of beacons carried the news”
    - a light or other visible object serving as a signal, warning, or guide at sea, on an airfield, etc.

Lola August 1, 2025 (7:28 am)

I miss getting to hear the Thunder Boats on Lake Washington all the way in my house in West Seattle. We always gathered with other neighbors had a BBQ and the folks would watch it on TV making bets with one another. Playing outside we could hear them preparing for the heats. It was an exciting time to be a kid and get the experience the Hydros, Blimp and Blue Angels.

Sorry, comment time is over.