NBAA-BACE 2026 preview: what to watch in Las Vegas

In under a month, the business aviation industry gathers in Las Vegas. The 2026 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition, which NBAA calls the world's largest civil aviation trade show, runs October 20 to 22 at the Las Vegas Convention Center's West Hall, with Aircraft Connection, the outdoor static display, operating October 20 and 21 at Henderson Executive Airport (HND). NBAA expects more than 17,000 industry professionals to attend.

The aircraft on the ramp

NBAA's published aircraft lineup for 2026 covers 15 manufacturers: Aviat, Boeing Business Jets, Bombardier, Cirrus Aircraft, Daher, Dassault, Epic, Gulfstream Aerospace, Honda Aircraft, Piaggio Aero, Pilatus, Piper, Robinson Helicopter, SyberJet, and Textron Aviation. Aircraft will be on display both at Aircraft Connection at Henderson Executive and from the show floor at the convention center.

According to NBAA's current aircraft directory, the 2026 models on show include the Bombardier Global 8000, the Dassault Falcon 6X, and the Gulfstream G800, alongside the rest of the current production lineup. NBAA has not published a full exhibitor list for 2026, so consider the manufacturer lineup above the confirmed picture; expect more aircraft announcements in the weeks leading up to the show, as NBAA itself has promised.

What to watch

The headline structural change is the Horizon Stage, a new main-stage venue on the exhibition floor for headline speakers and the show's biggest moments. Among those appearing: industry pioneer Steven F. Udvar-Hazy, this year's recipient of the NBAA Meritorious Service to Aviation Award, and aviator and business leader Ross Perot Jr. The returning Flight Deck will host interactive discussions on technology, regulation, marketplace, and workforce issues, alongside a program of more than 70 education sessions covering safety, tax, operations, and maintenance.

Three programming tracks are worth flagging. The expanded maintenance track, tailored to maintainers, technicians, and operations directors, offers Inspection Authorization renewal credit for eligible technicians and this year includes the Gulfstream Operator Forum, with dedicated maintenance and operations programming for Gulfstream operators. The Career Zone returns with one-on-one career coaching, resume audits, headshots, LinkedIn workshops, a Military Connect meetup, and a meet-and-greet with the 2026 class of the NBAA Business Aviation Top 40 Under 40. The Creator Studio, sponsored by Signature Aviation, returns to the convention center's entryway atrium for podcasters, digital creators, and content producers.

For deal-watchers: the International Aircraft Dealers Association has an expanded presence this year, including a Flight Deck session, 'Market Outlook: Aircraft Broker Insights,' moderated by Rolland Vincent & Associates' Rollie Vincent, plus an IADA reception for members and guests on Wednesday, October 21, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Booth 2877. Startups get their own slot with PitchAv, a live pitch competition on the Horizon Stage on Wednesday afternoon; applications closed September 25. And the YoPro networking reception on October 20, themed 'Leading From Any Seat,' pairs the usual networking with care-kit assembly for cancer patients, in partnership with Corporate Angel Network.

The context

NBAA's 2025 impact report sets the scale to beat: more than 17,000 attendees, over 760 exhibitor companies, 3,100-plus first-time attendees, and more than 180 press and media. Three quarters of attendees influence purchasing decisions, which is why the show floor doubles as one of the industry's busiest deal rooms. NBAA says momentum is building from a record-setting run of spring 2026 events; whether October delivers a genuine news cycle, new aircraft reveals, or a quiet year, the ramp at Henderson Executive will be the place to find out.

Photography: Bobak Ha'Eri, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons