White House Staff Says Goodbye to Air Force One Planes After 35 Years

White House officials bid farewell to the Boeing 747-200, used as Air Force One since 1990, as new planes are set to be delivered soon, marking a significant transition in presidential air travel.

On Thursday morning, two officials from the White House shared farewells on social media for the Boeing 747-200, known as VC-25A, which has served as Air Force One since 1990. This farewell comes as preparations are underway for the delivery of the first of three new planes being modified for this prestigious role.

Steve Cheung, the White House communications director, posted a photo of the aircraft on X, stating, "The last ride. Well done, good and faithful servant." Meanwhile, Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino shared a video of the plane, expressing gratitude for his time aboard it, mentioning he had flown on this iconic aircraft for five and a half years, part of its 35-year history serving U.S. presidents.

The transition involves three Boeing 747-800s being modified into VC-25Bs to take over the role of Air Force One. This includes a luxury jet that was donated by the government of Qatar, intended to serve as a temporary solution until the additional planes are ready, which is expected to take about two more years.

The fate of the old VC-25As remains uncertain, although the Air Force has indicated they will stay in the fleet. An Air Force spokesperson confirmed to CNN that, "The VC-25B Bridge aircraft will soon join the active executive airlift fleet alongside the VC-25A and C-32," the latter being a modified Boeing 757 often used for vice presidential and cabinet travel, and occasionally as Air Force One.

CNN previously reported that the Qatari jet is anticipated to be delivered by summer 2026. This follows significant scrutiny from lawmakers and security officials who expressed concerns regarding the acceptance of such an expensive gift and potential security risks associated with it.

To serve as a suitable replacement for Air Force One, the donated aircraft is undergoing extensive modifications, which include the installation of necessary security and communication systems. The current VC-25A model has been operational for more than three decades, and former President Trump had been vocal about needing new aircraft.

Tail number 29000, which transported Trump on a recent trip to Europe, landed at Joint Base Andrews on Thursday. The other VC-25 has not been seen in the air since it landed at Majors Airport in Greenville, Texas, on June 2. This airport is also where the Qatari jet is being converted for its future use as Air Force One.

The Air Force began the modification process for the donated jet last summer. Plane enthusiasts noted that the aircraft has recently been seen with a new paint job, which was selected by the president. The new color scheme will feature red, white, gold, and dark blue, a design favored by Trump during his first term but later changed to a lighter blue by the Biden administration. Upon Trump's reelection, the original color scheme was reinstated.

The modified Qatari jet last took to the skies on June 10 for a brief flight, returning to Majors Airport. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink previously informed lawmakers that retrofitting the donated aircraft is expected to cost the Air Force less than $400 million.

An Air Force announcement last month confirmed that the aircraft has completed its modifications and is set to debut in a new red, white, and blue livery this summer. The announcement emphasized the importance of the Bridge aircraft in meeting the immediate needs of the executive airlift mission while establishing a solid foundation for future operations.

Details regarding when the new aircraft will arrive in Washington and the future of the older planes remain unclear. However, the VC-25As have a rich history, having traveled to various countries including Iraq, Cuba, China, and Australia. George H.W. Bush was the first president to fly on these aircraft, taking a trip to Kansas in 1990.

On September 11, 2001, former President George W. Bush was taken to one of the VC-25A planes after the terrorist attacks, which then transported him to a secure location in Louisiana and later to a bunker in Nebraska before finally returning him to Washington, D.C., where he addressed the nation.

The VC-25A planes also played a role in transporting several past presidents, including Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter, and George H.W. Bush, to Israel for the funeral of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in 1995.