The Lindbergh Foundation just announced something remarkable: a centennial charter flight retracing Charles Lindbergh’s iconic New York-to-Paris route in May 2027. It marks exactly 100 years since his groundbreaking transatlantic crossing aboard the Spirit of St. Louis.
The “Spirit of St. Louis 100 Centennial Charter Flight” spans May 15-22, 2027. It begins in St. Louis on May 15, 2027, with the transatlantic crossing departing New York on May 20 and landing in Paris on May 21, 2027—echoing Lindbergh’s May 20-21, 1927 journey in his Ryan NYP monoplane (registration NX-211). A Boeing 757-200, configured entirely in business class, will carry aviation enthusiasts, educators, and aerospace leaders. The route includes stops in Washington, D.C., and New York before crossing the Atlantic to Le Bourget Airport.
“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,” Erik Lindbergh, chairman of the Lindbergh Foundation and Charles Lindbergh’s grandson, said in a statement. “Charles Lindbergh changed the world as a young man. It is our job today to stoke that fire for the next generation of pioneers.”
Journey Itinerary and Exclusive Access
The trip kicks off with the 100th Anniversary Lindbergh Award Gala in St. Louis on May 15. Passengers will stay at the historic St. Louis Union Station Hotel before heading to Washington, D.C., where they’ll get private tours of the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum—with access to the original Spirit of St. Louis. The aircraft is currently undergoing conservation work before returning to its spot on the main museum ceiling.
Visitors will see the Wright Flyer and Apollo 11 command module Columbia alongside Lindbergh’s plane. An unparalleled look at American aviation history, all in one place. On May 20, 2027, the charter arrives in New York for a luncheon at the Cradle of Aviation Museum before departing for France that evening.
Le Bourget arrival on May 21 will coincide with international commemorative events—educational activities with students, government participation, and planned celebratory activities marking the Spirit of St. Louis legacy. Passengers will also meet former SR-71 Blackbird and Concorde pilots, plus a NASA astronaut.
Foundation’s 50th Anniversary and Educational Mission
The charter serves as a fundraising initiative for the Lindbergh Foundation, which turns 50 in 2027 (founded in 1977 by Neil Armstrong, General James Doolittle, and others). All proceeds from the Centennial Charter will support the foundation’s programs in STEM, aviation, and aerospace—designed to inspire the next generation.
Erik Lindbergh—who retraced his grandfather’s flight solo in 2002—will personally accompany the 2027 charter group. His involvement highlights the foundation’s focus on sustainable aviation, a central theme of the centennial as the aviation industry tackles decarbonization challenges.
Broader Centennial Calendar
The charter flight is just one piece of the larger 2027 centennial celebration. The 53rd SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo in Lakeland, Florida (April 6-11) will feature Lindbergh centennial programming and showcase one of the world’s few flying replicas of the Spirit of St. Louis. EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2027 and the Paris Air Show will also include centennial activities.
Seats are strictly limited—the foundation is positioning this as a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Aviation enthusiasts interested in participating should watch the Lindbergh Foundation’s website for ticketing details. Pricing and final seat allocation haven’t been publicly disclosed yet.
Sources
- General Aviation News
- Lindbergh Foundation Official Announcements
- Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
- EAA AirVenture Oshkosh
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