The delivery schedule for the new Air Force One aircraft being developed for the US Air Force has been delayed once again. It is now expected that the first of the two next-generation presidential aircraft will not be delivered to the US Air Force until mid-2028. This timeline raises the possibility that US President Donald Trump may not fly on the new Air Force One during his second term in office.
Previously, Boeing had planned delivery for 2027, which was already three years later than the December 2024 date specified in the contract. According to information reported by Bloomberg, the request to push the delivery date back to 2028 came from the US Air Force.
As a reminder, under a contract worth approximately 3.9 billion US dollars signed in 2018, two Boeing 747-8–based presidential aircraft are intended to replace the current VC-25A fleet. The VC-25A aircraft currently in service have been operating for around 35 years.
The delays are primarily attributed to serious technical issues. Design flaws identified in cabin and window structures, cracks in airframe components, and complaints regarding high noise levels have emerged as the main factors slowing the progress of the program. Trump has previously criticized Boeing harshly over these delays.
Designated as the VC-25B, the new Air Force One is being built on the Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental platform. Compared to the existing 747-200B–based aircraft, it is planned to feature a longer fuselage, wider wingspan, more efficient GEnx engines, and updated avionics systems. While the new aircraft is designed to be quieter and more environmentally efficient, the absence of an aerial refueling capability stands out as a notable difference compared to the current fleet.
