Having lost patience with Boeing, President Donald Trump is now embarking on his own Air Force One project to ensure that he has a new 747 operational by the end of the year.
According to The Wall Street Journal, President Trump has become increasing frustrated with Boeing over delays to the arrival of two new Air Force One jets that he commissioned during his first term in office.
On February 18, 2025, a Trump official admitted that the project could be delayed until 2029, or even later, meaning the current president would never step foot on the aircraft.
With that in mind, President Trump and US officials have instead commissioned technology firm L3Harris to overhaul a Boeing 747 previously used by the Qatari government as a stopgap.
Sources told The Wall Street Journal that the Boeing 747 will be retrofitted with advanced technology suitable for an Air Force One aircraft.
The refurbished ‘Queen of the Skies’ would complement the two existing presidential Boeing 747-8 planes, collectively known as VC-25B.
In July 2024, Ted Colbert, the Head of Boeing Defense, Space and Security, admitted that the company was grappling with supply chain, inflation and workforce challenges.
It is unlikely that the new modified Boeing 747 will meet the US president’s specific needs, which include advanced navigation systems, defensive capabilities, and facilities for high-level meetings and secure communications.
Air Force One 747s also feature advanced defensive systems and countermeasures to protect against various threats, including missile attacks and electronic warfare.
In February 2025, President Trump dismissed the idea that he could instead turn to Airbus to build the next generation of Air Force One aircraft.
“I would not consider Airbus. I could buy one from another country perhaps or get one from another country,” President Trump said.
Based in Florida, L3Harris is a long-term partner of Boeing, having supplied advanced avionics and mission systems to the company for many years.
The two companies have collaborated on multiple projects, including the T-7A Red Hawk trainer and Boeing’s F-35 and F/A-18 Hornet.
25 comments
Will Trump pay for it himself? Please!
No, of course he wouldn’t. Oh, and it will be gold plated inside from nose to tail!
He’s probably the only president that could
WOW 😲 kind of IQ, you’re suitable to work with Boeing.
Will Trump be paying the Tariffs?
Of course he wont pay for it himself.Its the poor American man in the street taxpayers who will and they will get zero benefit.Its not as if Air Force One is a real workhorse on hours/landings etc.
Why can’t he just keep flying on the current Air Force One until the new one is delivered?
Great and logical answer.
Get an Airbus airplane, you might get it within 3 to 6 months, the”new” Air Force one ISN’T a new one, that plane belongs originally to Silk Way or Rossiya airlines, so …. …
Yes and the Airbus would fall apart in less than a year. They are mostly French junk.
Flown one have you ?
As far as I understand, the airbus planes are much more reliable than Boeings. It’s just hard to admit as an American president of course.
Why should he ?
Yet another hair brained scheme, from trump. If he bought it himself, he’d probably hire it out to the government. If he gets the government to buy it, once the proper presidential aircraft were delivered. It would be refurbished again to replace the 757s. If it ever happens at all. More smoke to hide what trump is doing elsewere.
I’ve loved aviation since my first Pan Am flight to Rome when I was 10 years old. We were going to see my sister in CH.
Boeing must be in serious management trouble and disarray for them to mess this one up.
Rosko, your comment on Airbus being French junk. What experience in aviation allows you to make this statement?
Laughing at all the Trump haters on here who must feel good about a 37 trillion national debt. No one mentions about how bad things had gotten under Biden. Worst president we EVER had.
It would be foolish and irresponsible for this project to proceed. Granted Boeing has steadily
declined as an aircraft manufacturer. However is it worth exposing the safety and security
By refusing to utilised the existing 2 VC-25. Bush one was able to fly on the new aircraft
once due to their late delivery from Boeing in 1992. Display patience not aragance.
Will Boeing delay the delivery another 8 yrs if a Republican gets in the White House in 2028?
How much is this costing US taxpayers?
As a 31 plus pilot for Delta, and always a loyal Boeing fan, I’m glad our President stuck with the Boeing product! However, I am very disappointed that Boeing hasn’t made every possible effort to meet the needs of The President of the United States 🇺🇸 of America’s Flagship deadline. I’m still a Boeing supporter and one of their most loyal fans, but come on! 2029? Are you kidding me? I know, and appreciate, the challenges faced by Boeing, but the cream always rises to the top.
Exactly,another hairbrained scheme from the spoiled brat who throws a tantrum because he can’t stand that the Qatari Prince has a more luxurious aircraft than his, except that he doesn’t grasp the fact that POTUS has to fly on a fully protected aircraft and it would take years to retrofit all of the necessary equipment on the Qatari jet.
That’s Donald Trump for you,folks….
The systems slated for the VC-25B are not rocket science. Secure Satcom has been operating for years. I put it on the BUFFs 20-years ago. As to self-defense, Radar and IR detection, and Chaff, Flares, Jamming, DIRCM and ATIRCM have also been around doe some time. Unless someone in Seattle threw out the drawings, the refueling receptacle, lower air stairs, and other cabin amenities from the “A” should not be that hard to replicate. There also several MROs that could whip up some really nice interiors, and why change the paint design to look line the Trump 757?
Unless Boeing is dedicated to milking the cow, I can’t figure out what is delaying the new Air Force One. Of course, USAF is managing this project, and they did such a good job on the new Marine One, didn’t they? (Want to buy a cheap Airbus helicopter in dark green?)
Opps, the VH-71s were AgustaWestland with Lockheed helping to gum up the works.