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Air Force One Plane Retired From Fleet as Qatari Gift Plane Joins
Officials say three 747-800 replacements are being readied, including a Qatari-donated jet, as the 35-year-old plane leaves service.
- On Friday, June 19, 2026, President Donald Trump unveiled the new Qatar-gifted Boeing 747-800, which will serve as temporary Air Force One following the VC-25A's final flight earlier this week.
- Boeing's official VC-25B upgrade project faces significant delays, prompting the Air Force to implement a "bridge program" to relieve pressure on the aging VC-25A fleet, with delivery now expected in 2028 rather than 2024.
- The modified jet features a red, white, gold, and navy blue color scheme and retains its luxurious Qatari interior, though critics allege the gift violates the emoluments clause.
- Commissioning flights—a final exam for modifications—will precede the jet's service for approximately two years, and Trump plans to feature the aircraft in a flight formation over Washington, D.C., on the Fourth of July.
- Joining the active executive airlift fleet alongside the C-32s, this interim aircraft allows the Air Force to execute its "no-fail mission for the commander in chief" while the next-generation platform remains in development.
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White House officials on Thursday said goodbye to one of two planes that have flown US presidents for more than 30 years.
·Vilnius, Lithuania
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Total News Sources12
Leaning Left2Leaning Right1Center6Last UpdatedBias Distribution67% Center
Bias Distribution
- 67% of the sources are Center
67% Center
L 22%
C 67%
11%
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