Super Bowl LX Flyover Will Look Very Different Without the F-22
Fans heading to Super Bowl LX on Sunday will still see an impressive military aircraft flyover over Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, but the lineup will be noticeably different from what was originally planned. A pair of F-22 Raptor fighter jets, long touted as the most advanced air superiority fighters in the world, will not be part of the ceremonial formation. Military officials say this change came because the Raptors were reassigned to operational missions, leaving aviation planners to adjust the flyover to include other iconic Air Force and Navy aircraft. The revised show is still designed to honor the nation’s airpower and provide a memorable tribute for nearly 70,000 fans in the stadium and millions watching on television.
- Krishna Sagar
- 4 min read
A traditional highlight of the Super Bowl experience is the military aircraft flyover that accompanies the national anthem. For Super Bowl LX this Sunday at 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time, organizers had initially included a pair of F-22 Raptor stealth fighters in the formation.
The Raptors were expected to represent the cutting edge of American airpower during the pregame ceremony. However, planners confirmed that those jets were removed from the lineup due to increased operational demands within the Air Force. The F-22s will be absent from the spectacle over Levi’s Stadium as military priorities shifted toward real-world missions.
The change has drawn attention not only because of the prominence of the F-22 in public imagination but also because official pre-event materials, including commemorative patches, showed silhouettes of the aircraft among the planned formation.
The F-22 is widely regarded as one of the best air combat fighters ever built, known for its stealth capabilities and advanced sensors, and its absence will be evident to aviation enthusiasts and casual fans alike.
1. Why the F-22 Was Removed
Officials from the Department of the Air Force explained that the F-22s were reassigned because of an uptick in operational requirements that pulled them away from the ceremonial flyover.
Katie Spencer, Sports Outreach Program manager for the Air Force, said that the jets were originally included to provide a showcase of “fifth-generation” fighters from both the Air Force and the Navy.
However, increases in military operations meant that the aircraft needed to remain focused on missions that could not be postponed. 
Spencer did not provide specific details about the missions that took priority, but she noted that changes in operational tempo can affect available aircraft even months after planning begins. In the military, readiness for active operations takes precedence over ceremonial appearances, and the decision reflects that priority.
2. The Revised Flyover Lineup
The absence of the F-22 has opened the door for other aircraft to become the centerpieces of the Super Bowl LX flyover. Planners worked to put together a formation that still reflects both historical and modern American airpower.
The final lineup will include two Air Force B-1B Lancer bombers, often known by their nickname “the Bone,” two Air Force F-15C Eagles from the California Air National Guard, and a pair each of Navy F/A-18E Super Hornets and F-35C Lightning II fighters. 
The B-1B bombers, with their long range and striking presence, will serve as leaders in the formation. The F-15C Eagles and F/A-18 Super Hornets bring legacy fighter presence to the show, while the F-35C jets represent newer stealth and multi-role capabilities from the Navy.
Together, these aircraft are expected to create a visually striking and sonically powerful flyover.
3. A Formation of Purpose and Practice
Military planners emphasize that flyovers serve more than a symbolic function. They are treated as training exercises for pilots and support crews. Opportunities to execute precise timing, “time over target” practice, and coordinated formations in busy airspace provide valuable real-world experience without additional taxpayer cost.
This perspective has been part of the official justification for Super Bowl flyovers and similar ceremonial flights in past years as well. 
The Super Bowl flyover requires close coordination with civilian agencies, including the Federal Aviation Administration, to safeguard flight paths and enforce no-fly zones near the stadium. These precautions ensure the flyover is both safe and spectacular for fans on the ground and viewers watching at home.
While the absence of the F-22 Raptor is notable, the revised military flyover for Super Bowl LX will still be a dramatic tribute to American airpower and precision flying. Attendees and television audiences will witness an aerial show that honors both the sport and the nation. In the end, moments like these remind fans that football and flyovers are intertwined with broader cultural and ceremonial significance, even as real-world responsibilities shape the final form of the display.