Hayden

Are you using Apache Airflow for workflow automation? If so, you need to know exactly when your current version’s support ends. Many users overlook version End-of-Life (EOL/EOS) schedules, which can leave them without security updates or bug fixes when they need them most.

This guide covers Apache Airflow’s version support policy and provides detailed timelines for each version.

 

Apache Airflow

 

 

1. What is Apache Airflow?

Apache Airflow is an open-source platform for programmatically authoring, scheduling, and monitoring data pipelines and workflows. Started at Airbnb in 2014, it became an Apache Incubator project in 2016 and graduated to a top-level project in 2019.

Key Features:

  • Workflows as Code: Define data pipelines as DAGs (Directed Acyclic Graphs) using Python code
  • Dynamic Pipeline Generation: Create and parameterize pipelines dynamically through code
  • Extensibility: Hundreds of provider packages for connecting to cloud services, databases, and protocols
  • Rich User Interface: Web-based interface for visualizing and monitoring pipeline status

Currently, over 80,000 organizations use Airflow worldwide, with more than 30 million monthly downloads.

 

 

2. Understanding Airflow’s Version Support Policy

Since version 2.0, Apache Airflow follows Semantic Versioning (SemVer). Version numbers follow the MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH format.

Two Support Phases:

Apache Airflow operates with two distinct support phases. The first is Active Support, which includes new features along with bug fixes and security patches. This is followed by Limited Support, which provides only critical bug fixes and security patches.

After End-of-Life (EOL):

  • No fixes or support provided
  • No security patches even if vulnerabilities are discovered
  • Compatibility with new provider packages not guaranteed

 

 

3. Version Support Timeline at a Glance

Official Apache Airflow version lifecycle information from the Apache Airflow GitHub repository and official documentation.

Version Current Patch Support Status First Release Limited Maintenance EOL/Terminated
3.x 3.1.0 Supported April 22, 2025 TBD TBD
2.x 2.11.0 Supported December 17, 2020 October 22, 2025 April 22, 2026
1.10 1.10.15 EOL August 27, 2018 December 17, 2020 June 17, 2021
1.9 1.9.0 EOL January 3, 2018 August 27, 2018 August 27, 2018
1.8 1.8.2 EOL March 19, 2017 January 3, 2018 January 3, 2018
1.7 1.7.1.2 EOL March 28, 2016 March 19, 2017 March 19, 2017

⚠️ Critical Dates:

  • Airflow 2.x enters Limited Support on October 22, 2025 and reaches full EOL on April 22, 2026
  • All 1.x versions are already EOL

 

 

4. Detailed Airflow 2.x Minor Version Release History

Complete list of Airflow 2.x minor versions based on PyPI and official release notes.

Minor Version Release Date Latest Patch Supported Python Key Features
2.11.0 May 20, 2025 2.11.0 3.9, 3.10, 3.11, 3.12 Airflow 3.0 migration tools, Python 3.8 EOL
2.10.5 February 10, 2025 2.10.5 3.8, 3.9, 3.10, 3.11, 3.12 Bug fixes and stabilization
2.10.0 August 15, 2024 2.10.5 3.8, 3.9, 3.10, 3.11, 3.12 Hybrid Executor, DatasetAlias
2.9.3 July 16, 2024 2.9.3 3.8, 3.9, 3.10, 3.11, 3.12 Patch updates
2.9.0 April 8, 2024 2.9.3 3.8, 3.9, 3.10, 3.11, 3.12 Python 3.12 support, MS SQL Server EOL
2.8.0 December 18, 2023 2.8.4 3.8, 3.9, 3.10, 3.11 Python 3.11 support, Debian Bookworm
2.7.0 August 18, 2023 2.7.3 3.8, 3.9, 3.10, 3.11 Stability improvements
2.6.0 April 30, 2023 2.6.3 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 3.10, 3.11 Performance optimization
2.5.0 December 2, 2022 2.5.3 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 3.10, 3.11 Quality of life improvements
2.4.0 September 19, 2022 2.4.3 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 3.10 Various feature additions
2.3.0 April 30, 2022 2.3.4 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 3.10 Datasets functionality
2.2.0 October 11, 2021 2.2.5 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9 Performance improvements
2.1.0 May 21, 2021 2.1.4 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9 Bug fixes and stabilization
2.0.0 December 17, 2020 2.0.2 3.6, 3.7, 3.8 Major release, Scheduler HA

⚠️ AWS MWAA Users: Amazon MWAA will end support for Airflow versions 2.4.3, 2.5.1, and 2.6.3 on December 30, 2025.

 

 

5. Airflow 3.x Version Details

Apache Airflow 3.0 is the most significant release since 2.0.

Minor Version Release Date Supported Python Major Changes
3.1.0 September 25, 2025 3.10, 3.11, 3.12, 3.13 Python 3.13 support, Python 3.9 EOL
3.0.6 August 29, 2025 3.9, 3.10, 3.11, 3.12 Bug fixes
3.0.0 April 22, 2025 3.9, 3.10, 3.11, 3.12 Major release, Task SDK, DAG Versioning

Key Features:

  • Task Execution Interface: Client-server architecture
  • Task SDK: Execute tasks in external systems
  • DAG Versioning: Lock DAG version during execution
  • Scheduler-managed Backfills: Enhanced backfill management
  • React-based UI: Modern, fast user interface

 

 

6. Python and Kubernetes Compatibility Matrix

Supported platforms in Airflow 3.1.0.

Python Version Compatibility

Airflow Version Python 3.7 Python 3.8 Python 3.9 Python 3.10 Python 3.11 Python 3.12 Python 3.13
3.1.x ❌ ❌ ❌ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅
3.0.x ❌ ❌ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ❌
2.11.x ❌ ❌ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ❌
2.10.x ❌ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ❌
2.9.x ❌ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ❌
2.8.x ❌ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ❌ ❌
2.7.x ❌ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ❌ ❌
2.6.x ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ❌ ❌
2.0-2.5 ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ❌ ❌ ❌

Database Compatibility

Officially supported databases by Airflow:

Database Supported Versions Notes
PostgreSQL 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 Recommended
MySQL 8.0, 8.4, Innovation Supported
SQLite 3.15.0+ Development only
MariaDB – ❌ Not supported
MS SQL Server – ❌ EOL since Airflow 2.9.0

Kubernetes Version Compatibility

Kubernetes versions tested with Airflow 3.x:

Airflow Version Kubernetes Versions
3.x 1.30, 1.31, 1.32, 1.33
2.x 1.25, 1.26, 1.27, 1.28, 1.29

 

 

7. Upgrade Planning Guide

For Current Airflow 2.x Users

Airflow 2.x reaches full EOL on April 22, 2026. Plan your upgrade accordingly:

Upgrade Timeline:

Period Status Recommended Action
Now – October 2025 Active Support Stable usage, prepare for 3.0 migration
October 2025 – April 2026 Limited Support Security patches only, upgrade soon
After April 2026 EOL Security risk, upgrade immediately

Step-by-Step Upgrade Strategy:

Step 1: Environment Check

# Check current version
airflow version

# Check Python version (3.9+ required)
python --version

# Check database version
# For PostgreSQL
psql --version

Step 2: Upgrade to 2.11 First

Airflow 2.11 includes tools to help with Airflow 3.0 migration.

# Validate configuration
airflow config lint

# Auto-update configuration
airflow config update

# Validate DAG code (using Ruff)
ruff check dags/ --select AIR301 --preview
ruff check dags/ --select AIR301 --fix --preview

Step 3: Upgrade to Airflow 3.0

# Verify Python 3.10+
python --version

# Install with constraints
pip install 'apache-airflow==3.0.6' \
  --constraint "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/apache/airflow/constraints-3.0.6/constraints-3.10.txt"

Upgrade Checklist

Item Requirements
Python Version 3.10+ (for Airflow 3.1)
Database PostgreSQL 13+ or MySQL 8.0+
Provider Packages Check minimum Airflow version requirements
Custom Code Update execution_date → logical_date
Configuration Check removed/changed options
Backup Database and DAG files backup essential

 

 

8. Managed Service Version Support Policies

Cloud service Airflow version support schedules may differ from open source.

Service Supported Versions Notes Reference
AWS MWAA 2.7.2, 2.8.1, 2.9.2, 2.10.3 2.4.3, 2.5.1, 2.6.3 EOL December 30, 2025 Documentation
Google Cloud Composer 2.x series Separate support policy Documentation
Azure Data Factory Managed Airflow integration Separate version policy Documentation

 

 

Understanding Apache Airflow’s version support timeline is fundamental to maintaining stable data pipelines.

Key Takeaways:

  • Airflow 2.x: Limited Support starts October 22, 2025, full EOL April 22, 2026
  • Airflow 3.x: Currently stable, long-term support expected
  • Upgrade Path: Recommended sequence: 2.7+ → 2.11 → 3.x
  • Python Support: 3.x supports Python 3.10-3.13
  • Cloud Services: Check provider-specific support schedules

Useful Resources:

Check your Airflow version today to ensure your environment is properly maintained.

 

 

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