One of the Boeing 747-200B aircraft that has served as Air Force One for more than three decades appears to have completed its final presidential mission, ending a chapter that began during the administration of President George H. W. Bush.
The aircraft returned to the United States this week carrying President Donald Trump and members of his administration following a trip to France. Shortly after landing, senior White House officials shared photographs of the aircraft on social media, describing the flight as its "last ride."
The jet is one of two heavily modified VC-25A aircraft that entered service in 1990 and have transported every US president since then. Based on the Boeing 747-200B, the aircraft are among the oldest widebody airliners still performing front-line government service anywhere in the world.
Their expected retirement comes as the US Air Force prepares to introduce the Boeing 747-8i that was previously operated by the Qatari royal family. The aircraft has undergone modifications and flight testing in the United States and is intended to serve as an interim presidential transport.
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The replacement aircraft is intended to serve as a "bridge Air Force One" until Boeing delivers the delayed VC-25B fleet, which is being developed from two former Boeing 747-8I airliners. The VC-25B program was launched in 2017 but has faced years of schedule delays and rising costs, pushing entry into service well beyond its original timeline.
According to the US Government Accountability Office, the VC-25B effort is now expected to cost more than $5.6 billion. The aircraft may not enter service before the end of Trump's second term.
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The interim aircraft acquired from Qatar reportedly received only limited modifications compared with the extensive changes planned for the VC-25B fleet. Reports in the United States indicate that much of the original luxury interior designed for the Qatari royal family has been retained in order to accelerate its entry into service.
The outgoing VC-25A fleet entered service in the early 1990s, replacing the aging VC-137 aircraft derived from the Boeing 707 that had served as Air Force One for three decades. Unlike the incoming VC-25B fleet, the two VC-25As were purpose-built for the presidential mission and include capabilities such as aerial refueling, allowing them to remain airborne for extended periods during national emergencies.
Over 35 years of service, the aircraft have transported six U.S. presidents on thousands of domestic and international missions while serving as flying command posts equipped with secure communications and defensive systems.
