US Air Force Retires Aging VC-25A After 36 Years of Presidential Service

White House officials posted goodbye messages on June 18 to one of two heavily modified Boeing 747 jets that have flown as Air Force One since 1990. The aircraft, known as VC-25A with tail number 29000, carried every U.S. president for 36 years. Its retirement marks the end of an era as a replacement aircraft donated by Qatar prepares to enter service.

The Final Flight and Official Farewell

White House Communications Director Steven Cheung posted a picture of the aircraft after it returned from the G7 summit in France on June 18, writing “Well done, good and faithful servant. The Last Ride.” Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino shared a video and noted he had flown on the plane for 5.5 years of its 35-year service record. US Chief of Protocol Monica Crowley posted that she was honored to be aboard on its final flight, calling it cozy despite its age.

Why the Confusion About Retirement

The farewell posts sparked immediate speculation that the VC-25A was being permanently retired. However, the U.S. Air Force confirmed both VC-25As will remain in service. An Air Force spokesperson told reporters that both aircraft will stay part of the active executive airlift fleet. The confusion arose because White House staff had suggested the plane’s operational career had ended, though the military clarified it will continue flying alongside newer replacements.

Qatar’s Boeing 747 Enters the Picture

The U.S. Air Force announced that a new VC-25B Bridge aircraft, converted from a Boeing 747-8i donated by Qatar, will soon join the fleet. The Qatari jet completed flight testing in May and is scheduled to roll out in red, white, and blue livery this summer. President Trump is reportedly considering taking the new aircraft on its inaugural flight to Mount Rushmore next month during America’s 250th anniversary celebrations. Three additional Boeing 747-800s are being modified as VC-25Bs, with two more expected to be ready in roughly two years.

A Controversial Gift Raises Questions

Qatar’s donation of the jet, valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars, has faced scrutiny from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. Security officials raised concerns about vulnerabilities and the appropriateness of accepting such an expensive gift from a foreign government. The aircraft underwent significant modifications to meet security and operational requirements for presidential transport. The plane had to be stripped down and rebuilt to include necessary security systems before it could be used.

Final Thoughts

The VC-25A’s farewell marks the end of a 36-year chapter in presidential aviation, though both aging jets will remain in the fleet. The Qatari replacement signals a generational shift in Air Force One operations, though questions persist about security and the gift’s political implications.

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