Aviation Week's 69th Laureate Award Nominations Open

Aviation Week's renowned Laureate Awards are officially open for nominations, celebrating excellence in aviation and aerospace.

With a legacy spanning nearly seven decades, the 2027 ceremony will mark the 69th year of these prestigious awards, honoring individuals and organizations whose work drives innovation and leadership in the global aerospace industry. The Laureates represent the spirit of progress and exploration, inspiring the next generation to push boundaries and redefine what's possible in aviation.

Categories

The 2027 Laureates will be recognized across six categories:

• Business Aviation
• Commercial Aviation
• Defense
• MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul)
• Space
• Extraordinary Achievement

The Extraordinary Achievement category includes the Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes individuals whose careers have made significant contributions to the aerospace and aviation industry.

"Each year, Aviation Week's editors sift through dozens of nominations to select great achievements and achievers that are making a great impact on our industry," said Aviation Week Editorial Director Joe Anselmo.

Nominations

Nominations for the 69th Laureate Awards close on October 16, 2026, with winners announced in early November. This is your opportunity to recognize outstanding individuals and organizations driving innovation and excellence in aviation. Submissions are free of charge.

You can submit up to three nominations across different categories. All Laureate Awards recognize accomplishments from October 26, 2025 – October 15, 2026 (except for the Extraordinary Achievement category). Nominations will be reviewed by Aviation Week's Editorial Committee, and winners will be announced in November 2026.

The Award Ceremony

The 69th Laureate Awards ceremony will take place at the iconic National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., on March 4, 2027.

68th Laureate Winners

See what made last year’s winners stand out:

• Business Aviation 2026 Laureate Winners
• Commercial Aviation 2026 Laureate Winners
• Defense 2026 Laureate Winners
• MRO 2026 Laureate Winners
• Space 2026 Laureate Winners
• 2026 Lifetime Achievement Winners:
  • Bill Franke
  • Jordi Puig-Suari and Bob Twiggs
• Pathfinder Award Winner:
  • Sir Peter Beck, Rocket Lab

We look forward to recognizing the achievements of the 2027 Laureates and welcoming you to this esteemed awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.

For more information on attending or sponsorships, please contact:
Rob Howlett: [email protected]

For general event information, please contact:
Allison Gold: [email protected]

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