The world’s best aviation museums
Charter a private jet to the world’s best aviation museums to uncover the mechanical and historic achievements of the aviation industry’s exciting past and present. Here’s our pick of the best aviation museums around the world.
Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum
The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum (NASM) is home to the largest and arguably most important archive of aviation and space artifacts in the world. NASM’s collections are divided into two locations: one in Washington DC and the other at the Udvar-Hazy Centre in Chantilly, Virginia. Aviation buffs will find hundreds of aircraft and spacecraft on display, a planetarium show, the Apollo 11 command module, the world-famous Friendship 7 capsule and Bell X-1, a rocket engine-powered aircraft which broke the sound barrier.
NASM welcomed 7.5 million visitors in 2017, making it the world’s third-most visited museum and the most visited museum in the US. Admission is free, so all you need to do is charter a private jet to Washington to begin your trip in ultimate style.
Paris Air and Space Museum
Since its inauguration in 1919, the Paris Air and Space Museum (Musée de l'air et de l'espace) has remained one of the biggest and most celebrated aviation museums in the world. Blending archival exhibitions dating back to the 16th Century with modern air and spacecraft displays, highlights include the original Concorde prototype and Soviet rockets.
Covering 1.6 million square feet, the Paris Air and Space Museum is home to the only surviving piece of the L'Oiseau Blanc, the first aircraft to attempt a transatlantic flight from Paris to New York in 1927. After the plane took off, it never completed its journey and only remnants can be found here. This fascinating museum is located on the site of Paris Le Bourget Airport and is open every day except for Mondays, December 1 and January 1.
Canada Aviation and Space Museum
Exhibiting more than 130 of the world’s best aircrafts and artifacts, along with the complete story of Canada’s rich aviation heritage, the Canada Aviation and Space Museum is an aviation museum unlike any other. Situated in Ottawa, highlights include the nose section of Canadian-built fighter jet Avro Canada CF-105 Arrow, accompanied by a flight simulator, and the chance to take a short flight in a Waco UPf-7 biplane. This is a unique experience only offered by this pioneering museum, which is considered by many to be one of the finest in the world. A guided tour around the International Space Station exhibition is an additional must-do. Simply charter a private jet to Ottawa and get exploring.
State Aviation Museum of Ukraine
The State Aviation Museum of Ukraine is the country’s youngest and, at the same time, most historical museum dedicated to Ukraine’s technical past. Boasting the world’s largest display of aviation technology, including supersonic bomber planes, transport planes, nuclear missile carriers and a magnificent Tupolev-104, it’s a must-visit for all aviation fanatics.
Situated next to Zhulyany Airport in Kiev, the State Aviation Museum first opened its doors in 2003 and has since remained a hub for education and training, with its aircraft exhibits and interactive displays attracting visitors from around the world. Charter a private jet to Kiev and experience it for yourself.
Duxford Imperial War Museum
The Duxford Imperial War Museum, located in Cambridgeshire, UK, is a historic airfield and museum which tells the story of people's lives and the role of aviation in WW2. By June 1940, Belgium, Holland and France had fallen to German forces who subsequently turned their attention to the conquest of Britain. Royal Air Force (RAF) Duxford was placed on high alert and became an aviation stronghold during the pivotal Battle of Britain, and now boasts one of the world’s best war plane collections.
Today, you can navigate your way through the aerodrome at Duxford, established as the European centre of aviation history, exploring the same aircraft hangars and buildings used by those who served the RAF Duxford during this crucial time in European and world history. Get up close to the Spitfires that protected the UK in the skies at one of the earliest RAF stations, an experience you won’t be able to find anywhere else in the world. To visit this world heritage site, purchase your tickets here and charter a private jet to Cambridge City Airport.
If visiting the world’s best aviation museums is a dream of yours, get in touch today to find a private jet charter to suit your requirements.