White House staff bid farewell to historic Air Force One after 35 years of service

White House staff have shared emotional tributes as Donald Trump's Air Force One completed its final flight, returning from a G7 trip to Washington on June 18, 2026. The iconic Boeing 747-200 has served every U.S. President since the 1990s, having first flown in 1990 when it carried George W. Bush to Kansas. Throughout its 35-year service, the aircraft has witnessed pivotal moments in American history, including emergency flights following the September 11 attacks when it transported President Bush to Louisiana and a secure bunker in Nebraska.

White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino and Communications Director Steve Cheung led the farewells on social media. Scavino wrote that he was "fortunate to fly around the world on this iconic plane for five and a half years — of the 35 years it has been serving US Presidents." Cheung paid homage with the phrase "The last ride. Well done, good and faithful servant." The retiring aircraft will be succeeded by three modified Boeing 747-800s designated as VC-25Bs, with one bridge aircraft already in preparation.

The transition includes a controversial element: a luxury jet gifted to the President by Qatar, which has completed modification and flight testing. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the unconditional donation to the Air Force. However, the acceptance has drawn significant Democratic backlash, with critics arguing that taxpayers are bearing modification costs for an aircraft that will serve only during Trump's remaining presidential term. The bridge aircraft is scheduled to become operational soon, with plans for its inaugural flight potentially coinciding with Fourth of July festivities at Mount Rushmore, pending final authorization.

The new aircraft will feature a striking red, white, gold, and navy livery selected by President Trump himself—a design preference that had been shelved during the Biden administration. The Air Force confirmed the plane is "on schedule to roll out in a new red, white and blue livery this summer." All three permanent VC-25B replacements are expected to be fully operational within a few years, completing the modernization of the presidential airlift fleet alongside the existing VC-25A and C-32 aircraft.