Spirit of St. Louis 100th Anniversary Charter Flight Launches at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh
OSHKOSH, Wis., July 21, 2026 — At EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, the Charles A. and Anne Morrow Lindbergh Foundation officially launched the global countdown to one of the most significant milestones in aviation history: The 100th Anniversary of the Spirit of St. Louis flight.
The Spirit of St. Louis 100 Centennial Charter Flight, an exclusive six-day, all-business-class private jet experience, will start in St. Louis, stop in Washington, D.C, and go on to retrace Charles Lindbergh's legendary journey from New York to Paris. More than a travel experience, the Centennial Charter is a mission-driven fundraising initiative supporting the Lindbergh Foundation's work to inspire and accelerate the next generation of innovators. As a signature event of the Spirit of St. Louis Centennial campaign proceeds from the charter will help advance programs and challenges that further the Lindbergh Foundation’s mission.
Aviation History Comes Alive at Oshkosh
The announcement was made at Boeing Plaza during AirVenture, where aviation's past and future stood side by side. Erik Lindbergh, grandson of Charles and Anne Lindbergh and Chairman of the Lindbergh Foundation, spoke at Boeing Plaza alongside two iconic aircraft: EAA's full-scale replica of the Spirit of St. Louis and the New Spirit of St. Louis, the Lancair Columbia 300 he flew solo from New York to Paris in 2002 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of his grandfather's flight.
Together, the aircraft symbolized a century of innovation, courage, and exploration while launching the next chapter of the Lindbergh legacy.
A Journey Reserved for History Makers
The Spirit of St. Louis Centennial Charter Flight offers a rare opportunity to experience aviation history firsthand. Beginning with the Spirit of St. Louis Centennial Gala in St. Louis on May 15, 2027, the Spirit of St. Louis 100 Centennial Charter Flight will bring together a select group of participants for a six-day journey to Washington, D.C., New York City, and across the Atlantic to France. Along the way, participants will enjoy exclusive access to museums, archives, historic sites, aviation institutions, special guest speakers and behind-the-scenes experiences that tell the story of Lindbergh's achievement and its lasting impact on aviation.
On May 21, 2027, exactly one hundred years after Charles Lindbergh landed before an estimated crowd of more than 150,000 people, the charter is expected to arrive at Le Bourget Airport, joining international commemorative events celebrating one of aviation's defining moments. "The centennial is about bringing the aviation community and the world together to celebrate one of history's greatest achievements while inspiring and challenging the next generation of innovators and explorers,” said Erik Lindbergh. “Charles Lindbergh changed the world as a young man. This is an example of what young people can accomplish when they are challenged and supported. It is our job today to stoke that fire for the next generation of pioneers.”
From St. Louis to Oshkosh to Parish
The centennial’s momentum continues to grow internationally. In 2025, organizers of the 2027 Paris Air Show announced that the world's premier aerospace exhibition will feature "100 Years of Transatlantic Flight," recognizing the centennial of Lindbergh's arrival at Le Bourget.
The Foundation's 99th Anniversary Celebration in May in St. Louis honored Anne Morrow Lindbergh's extraordinary contributions to aviation and literature while recognizing women whose leadership continues to shape aerospace, exploration, history, and the literary arts. That theme continued at AirVenture, where Erik Lindbergh joined Dr. Frances Levine, award-winning historian, former President and CEO of the Missouri Historical Society, and recipient of the Anne Morrow Lindbergh Award, for a WomenVenture presentation on Anne Morrow Lindbergh's pioneering aviation legacy and enduring literary influence.
Looking ahead, the Lindbergh Foundation and EAA are working together to make AirVenture Oshkosh 2027 one of North America's principal celebrations of the Spirit of St. Louis Centennial through exhibits, presentations, educational programming, pilot experiences, and youth engagement before the international commemoration culminates in Paris.
Inspiring the Next Century
The centennial is designed not only to commemorate one of aviation's defining moments, but to inspire tomorrow's innovators. Building on the legacy of the Orteig Prize that inspired Lindbergh's flight, the Foundation is expanding STEM initiatives that challenge young people to solve the aviation and aerospace challenges of the future through innovation, engineering, entrepreneurship, and exploration.
"The centennial belongs to everyone who loves to fly and explore," said Ann Balsamo, Executive Director of the Lindbergh Foundation. "We will honor the courage of 1927 while inspiring innovators, explorers, and aviators who will define the next century of flight."
For more information about the Spirit of St. Louis 100 Centennial Charter Flight and the worldwide centennial celebration, visit www.lindberghfoundation.org.
About the Charles A. and Anne Morrow Lindbergh Foundation
Founded in 1977 by Neil Armstrong, Jim Lovell, Gene Cernan, General Jimmy Doolittle, and other pioneers of aviation and space exploration, the Charles A. and Anne Morrow Lindbergh
