President Donald Trump on Air Force One [Credit: Evan El-Amin/Shutterstock]
Key Takeaways:
The VC-25A Boeing 747, which has served as Air Force One for 35 years, likely completed its final presidential mission, as indicated by tributes from White House officials.
New VC-25B replacement jets are significantly delayed until 2028, prompting an interim solution with a Qatari-donated 747-8 (dubbed the VC-25B Bridge) expected to enter service this summer.
The retiring VC-25A aircraft hold a significant place in U.S. history, having served every president since George H.W. Bush, and are equipped with advanced defensive and communication capabilities.
A heavily modified Boeing 747—referred to by the military as a VC-25A—that has flown U.S. presidents around the world for 35 years has likely operated as Air Force One for the last time.
Shortly after President Donald Trump returned to Washington, D.C., from France early Thursday, two top White House officials posted tributes to the jet.
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Zach Vasile is a writer and editor covering news in all aspects of aviation. He has reported for and contributed to the Manchester Journal Inquirer, the Hartford Business Journal, the Charlotte Observer, and the Washington Examiner, with his area of focus being the intersection of business and government policy.
