WASHINGTON — The White House and U.S. Air Force are moving forward with plans to introduce a new presidential aircraft this summer, marking the beginning of a transition away from the aging VC-25A jets that have served as Air Force One for more than three decades, according to military officials and government statements.
The aircraft slated to join the presidential fleet is a modified Boeing 747-8, known as the VC-25B Bridge aircraft, which completed flight testing and modifications earlier this year. The U.S. Air Force said the jet remains on schedule for delivery to the Presidential Airlift Group during the summer of 2026.
The interim aircraft is intended to supplement the two existing VC-25A aircraft currently used for presidential travel while the long-delayed next-generation VC-25B program continues. Air Force officials have said the current aircraft, based on the Boeing 747-200 platform, entered service in 1990 and will remain in operation until permanent replacements are available.
“The aircraft is on schedule to deliver this summer,” an Air Force spokesperson said in a statement released in May after the modified jet completed testing. Officials said the aircraft is undergoing final preparation work, including painting in a new red, white and blue livery approved for executive airlift missions.
The transition effort comes as Boeing's primary Air Force One replacement program continues to face delays. The company is modifying two Boeing 747-8 aircraft under a contract originally awarded in 2018. Federal officials have said delivery is now expected in 2028, several years later than initially planned.
The interim aircraft originated as a Boeing 747-8 previously operated by Qatar's royal flight service and later accepted by the U.S. government. Defense contractor L3Harris carried out modifications intended to meet presidential transport requirements, including communications and security upgrades, according to government officials and people familiar with the program.
The aircraft's acquisition has drawn criticism from some Democratic lawmakers and government ethics advocates, who questioned the acceptance of a foreign-donated aircraft for presidential use. President Donald Trump has defended the decision, saying the government would benefit from the aircraft while awaiting Boeing's delayed replacements.
Air Force officials have emphasized that the interim jet is not intended to permanently replace the existing fleet. The service has outlined plans to retire the current VC-25A aircraft around 2029, provided the next-generation VC-25B aircraft enter service as scheduled.
As of Thursday, the Air Force had not announced a specific delivery date for the new aircraft beyond its summer target, and preparations for its entry into presidential service were continuing.
