Southwest Airlines Brings ‘Independence One’ to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026 | News
Southwest Airlines® has announced it will participate in EAA’s AirVenture 2026 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, with a high-flying tribute to America’s centennial, Independence One. This newly launched, freedom-flying Boeing 737 MAX 8 will visit the World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration® on Wednesday, July 22, showcasing Southwest®’s support for those who have given us the freedom to fly.
EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, the Experimental Aircraft Association’s 73rd fly-in convention, will take place July 20-26 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.
The thousands of aviation enthusiasts who visit EAA AirVenture each year will be able to see Independence One up close and personal as it carries Southwest Airlines employees who have served in the military and those with loved ones who have served, culminating in an impressive total of more than 1,300 years of military service on board.
“Independence One is a stunning, colorful tribute to our freedom as we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary in 2026,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and membership programs, who coordinates AirVenture’s features and attractions. “It will undoubtedly be a major attraction and photo op at AirVenture as EAA once again brings aircraft and people together in one location unmatched anywhere else in the world.”
Southwest returns as a sponsor of WomenVenture, a conference aimed at inspiring and empowering women in aviation. Emily Estapa, Managing Director of Network Operations Control ATC Training & Standards at Southwest and a U.S. Air Force veteran, will speak at the WomenVenture forum on July 22.
“When women come together, we can support each other and share our experiences,” Estapa said. “That collective sense of belonging and visibility not only advances individual careers, it elevates the entire aviation industry.”
Keep an eye out for Independence One parked at Boeing Plaza on Wednesday, July 22.
