The Patrouille de France flew over the Statue of Liberty in New York on Tuesday, June 9, 2026 [1].
The display serves as a high-profile diplomatic gesture between France and the U.S. as the United States commemorates a milestone anniversary of its founding.
The formation consisted of eight Alpha Jet aircraft [2]. During the flight, the pilots executed a maneuver that drew the French tricolor flag in the sky above the harbor [3]. This aerial display was coordinated to honor the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence [4].
New York City served as the backdrop for the event, centering on the Statue of Liberty, a monument originally gifted to the U.S. by France. The presence of the elite aerobatic team highlighted the enduring historical ties between the two nations.
The flight occurred as part of a broader series of celebrations leading up to the formal anniversary of the 1776 declaration [4]. Local authorities and spectators witnessed the eight jets [2] navigate the airspace over the harbor to complete the tricolor pattern [3].
“Eight Alpha Jet aircraft from the Patrouille de France performed a flyover in New York.”
This flyover is a symbolic reinforcement of the 'special relationship' between France and the U.S. By utilizing the Statue of Liberty as the focal point for the 250th anniversary of American independence, France is reminding the global community of its foundational role in the American Revolution and its continued diplomatic alliance with the U.S.
