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Jun 18, 20261
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U.S. Air Force Clarifies: VC-25A Air Force One Jets Will Continue Service Despite Retirement Speculation
The U.S. Air Force confirmed that both VC-25A Air Force One jets will continue in active service despite recent social media posts from White House officials that suggested one aircraft was being retired. The VC-25B Bridge aircraft is expected to join the executive airlift fleet this summer, supplementing rather than replacing the aging VC-25As until two fully-equipped VC-25B replacements arrive in 2028.
Quick Facts
Who
U.S. Air Force
What
Air Force confirmed both VC-25A Air Force One jets will remain in active service
When
June 18, 2026 (Air Force clarification)
Where
France (G7 summit)
- Air Force confirmed both VC-25A Air Force One jets will remain in active service
- White House officials posted messages suggesting retirement of one aircraft
- VC-25B Bridge aircraft (converted ex-Qatari Boeing 747-8i) expected to join executive airlift fleet
- Air Force is acquiring two fully-equipped VC-25B aircraft from Boeing
- Modifications underway to extend VC-25A service life
The U.S. Air Force has clarified that both of its existing VC-25A Air Force One jets will remain in active service in the immediate future, contradicting recent social media posts from White House officials that sparked speculation about the aircraft's retirement. White House officials, including Assistant to the President Steven Cheung and Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino, posted messages on X suggesting farewell to one of the jets after President Donald Trump's recent trip to the G7 summit in France. However, an Air Force spokesperson confirmed to The War Zone that both VC-25A aircraft will continue operating within the executive airlift fleet.
The confusion arose following posts marking what appeared to be the final flight of aircraft 92-9000 (tail number 29000), which has served U.S. Presidents for 35 years. Cheung posted "'Well done, good and faithful servant.' The Last Ride" with an image of the aircraft, while Scavino shared a video noting his five-and-a-half years of flying aboard the plane. The Air Force's clarification indicates that these posts were misinterpreted as announcing retirement rather than simply commemorating the aircraft's recent flight.
The VC-25A jets will eventually be supplemented by the VC-25B "Bridge" aircraft, a converted ex-Qatari Boeing 747-8i that is expected to enter the active executive airlift fleet this summer without a firm timeline. An Air Force official stated that once the Bridge aircraft enters service, the aging VC-25As will continue to serve in the executive fleet and could still be used by the president as Air Force One. This approach aligns with the Air Force's broader modernization strategy, as the 747-200-based VC-25As, which first entered production in the 1970s, have become increasingly difficult and expensive to maintain.
The Air Force is also acquiring two fully-equipped VC-25B aircraft from Boeing, with the first expected delivery scheduled for mid-2028. The service announced that "on-going VC-25A modifications are to extend the service life until the VC-25B aircraft are fielded." Air Force Gen. Dale White noted that the Bridge program demonstrates "what is possible when clear accountability is placed on one individual," emphasizing the goal to deliver bridge capability and relieve pressure on the aging VC-25A fleet.
The VC-25B program has faced significant delays and cost growth over several years. Under the current timeline, the Air Force expects to receive the first fully-equipped VC-25B just months before President Trump leaves office. The VC-25As are now among the last 747-200 aircraft in service worldwide, as Boeing shut down its 747 production line entirely in 2023, creating additional supply chain challenges for spare parts and maintenance.
Why This Matters
This clarification resolves confusion about the presidential aircraft fleet's operational status, which has significant implications for executive mobility and national security continuity. The confirmation that both VC-25A jets remain in service reassures stakeholders that presidential transport capabilities remain uninterrupted during the modernization transition. Additionally, the delayed delivery of replacement aircraft (not expected until 2028) underscores ongoing supply chain pressures in aerospace manufacturing and maintenance challenges for aging platforms, issues that extend beyond aviation to broader defense procurement.
Timeline & Sources
Jan 1, 1991
WireVC-25A aircraft (92-9000) begins service to U.S. Presidents (based on 35-year reference in 2026)
Jan 1, 2023
WireBoeing shutters 747 production line
Jun 18, 2026
WireWhite House officials post farewell messages for VC-25A aircraft on social media; Air Force clarifies both VC-25A jets will remain in service