After 35 years of service, White House and Air Force officials are bidding farewell to SAM 29000, one of the iconic Boeing VC-25A aircraft that has served as Air Force One since 1990. The planes are being retired and replaced by a temporary stopgap jet until the next-generation fleet is ready.
The transition marks the end of an era for the historic fleet:
The Iconic Legacy (VC-25A)
- Historic Service: Introduced in 1990 during the George H.W. Bush administration, these modified Boeing 747-200s have traversed the globe, carrying presidents through major historical events, wars, and state visits.
- Notable Moments: One of these planes famously transported President George W. Bush on September 11, 2001, to secure bunkers in Louisiana and Nebraska following the terrorist attacks.
- Interior Capacity: When configured for the president, the primary VC-25A includes working spaces, an onboard medical facility, and room for 14 crew members, Secret Service agents, and the presidential press pool.
The New “Bridge” Aircraft
- Immediate Replacement: To ensure no interruption to the presidential travel mission, the Air Force is introducing the VC-25B Bridge aircraft.
- Details: This temporary successor is a heavily modified, former Qatari Boeing 747-8 equipped with upgraded mission systems, security, and communications.
- Timeline: Flight testing was finalized, with the rollout of the bridge aircraft scheduled for Summer 2026. This Qatari jet will serve as a stopgap while the highly delayed, purpose-built VC-25B jets undergo final development.
You can track the ongoing development of the presidential fleet on the official U.S. Air Force site, or explore the history of these jumbo jets via CNN.
