The Largest Flying American Flag in the World

On Labor Day in 2013, the New York Post declared the largest free-flying American flag in the world was unfurled on the George Washington bridge. It was displayed by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to honor the working men and women across the country.

It was an impressive 90 feet high and 60 feet wide as it hung vertically under the upper arch of the New Jersey tower on the bridge. It is quite a sight to see.

Flag on the George Washington Bridge

It's flown during various holidays each year though it's currently down for bridge improvements until December 2019. But is it really the largest US flag flown in the country?

In Gastonia, NC there is a much larger flag measuring 65 feet by 114 feet. It flies atop a 225 foot pole which was erected by the Gastonia AMVETS Post 920 in 1999.

AMVETS Post 920 Flag in Gastonia, NC

It can be seen from 30 miles away but is it the largest American flag flying in the world? Up in Sheboygan, Wisconsin they claim to have the tallest one.

Flag at Acuity in Wisconsin

At 60 feet by 120 feet it's similar in size to the flag in Gastonia. But it flies on a 400 foot tall flag pole. A monument at its base honors Veterans that have been killed in action. This pole is a beast weighing in at 420,000 pounds with an 11 foot diameter at the base. We don't know of a bigger flag pole in the country. It appears their claim of the tallest flag is accurate. But is it the highest and is it the largest?

In Pleasant Grove, Utah, the flag they call "Big Betsy" is a whopping 78 feet by 150 feet. No question this flag is larger than these others. But do they fly it? Not only do they fly it, but it soars above a 600 foot canyon. It's an impressive spectacle.

Big Betsy Flying Above Pleasant Grove, Utah

Utah has been flying Big Betsy for the past 5 Independence Days. So to be fair to the others who claimed to have the largest flying flag, they made those claims before Utah presented this enormous version of Old Glory.

It appears that this is indeed the largest flying US flag in the world. There is a larger flag as shown in the Guinness Book of World Records. It's known as the Superflag and measures 225 feet by 505 feet.

It weighs 3000 pounds and takes 500 people to unfurl it which they've done at Superbowls and other events. But have they flown it? On May 1, 1996 the Superflag was hung at Hoover Dam.

Superflag at Hoover Dam

The Superflag is owned by Ski Demski and he displayed it to pay tribute to the Olympic torch as it was carried across the dam on its way to Atlanta. It was a one time event of flying this monster flag. So it holds the title of being the largest US flag ever flown.

Big Betsy holds the distinction of the largest US flag still being flown. You can see it for yourself in Pleasant Grove, Utah on this Independence Day.

Check out this short video for the patriotic story of the making of Big Betsy.