DefenseQatar-donated Boeing 747 expected to serve as Air Force One by summer 2026
The US Air Force (USAF) confirmed it will take delivery of a Qatar-donated Boeing 747-8, modified as a new Air Force One, by no later than summer 2026. The aircraft is undergoing conversion at a US facility, following a timeline established by the service.
“The Air Force remains committed to expediting delivery of the VC-25 bridge aircraft in support of the Presidential airlift mission, with an anticipated delivery no later than summer 2026,” a spokesperson said, according to CNN.
The extensive modification of the aircraft began approximately a year ago. The Air Force had not previously provided a firm schedule for completion of the project.
The program carries an estimated price of ‘probably less than $400 million’ for the bridge aircraft. A 2018 agreement between the Air Force and Boeing covers two new presidential aircraft, named as VC-25B and based on 747-8 airframes under a $3.9 billion contract.
The VVIP Boeing 747-8 was donated by Qatar and entered conversion in early 2025. The aircraft will serve as an interim solution while the next-generation VC-25B remains under development.
Days earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump was forced to continue a trip aboard a Boeing 757 after a technical issue affected the Air Force One aircraft assigned to the flight. The VC-25A returned to Joint Base Andrews shortly after departure from Washington due to what the White House described as a minor electrical problem.
Trump then transferred to a C-32, the U.S. Air Force designation for a modified Boeing 757 typically used for senior government travel, and proceeded to Switzerland for the World Economic Forum.
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