New Air Force One Delivery Pushed to Mid-2028

Boeing and the U.S. Air Force now project delivery of the next Air Force One aircraft in mid-2028, later than the previously approved schedule but earlier than the most recent expectation.

The revised timeline coincides with the Air Force awarding an additional $15.5 million to the program, bringing the total contract value to $4.3 billion. The latest funding supports expanded communications capabilities for both VC-25B aircraft.

The Air Force and Boeing have been working to establish a new delivery schedule after years of delays. While the most recent estimate placed delivery in 2029, Boeing had previously indicated it could potentially deliver an aircraft as early as 2027.

The VC-25B program has faced pressure to accelerate under the Trump administration, particularly after President Donald Trump accepted a donated Boeing 747-8 from the Qatari government to serve as a separate presidential transport before the end of his term. Details of that conversion effort remain classified, though it is believed L3Harris is performing the work. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said this summer that funds from the delayed Northrop Grumman LGM-35A Sentinel program were used to support the conversion.

Unlike the classified Qatari aircraft effort, details of Boeing’s VC-25B program are publicly known. The project has experienced mounting delays due to factors including a shortage of cleared workers, a supplier bankruptcy, structural issues with the airframes, and parts shortages. In March, Aviation Week reported that the Air Force allowed Boeing to ease certain security requirements to accelerate hiring. It remains unclear what additional adjustments were made to enable the revised delivery schedule.