Trump returns on final flight of 35-year-old Air Force One jet

Washington,UPDATED: Jun 19, 2026 12:34 IST

US President Donald Trump’s return from a visit to France on Air Force One marked the final flight of the Boeing 747-200B that has carried American presidents for the past 35 years. Senior White House officials shared photographs of the aircraft on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews, describing it as the plane’s “last ride”.

The highly secured aircraft had served presidents since George HW Bush. The White House has not commented on the transition, but the US Air Force said last month that the Boeing 747 gifted by Qatar to Trump had completed modification and flight testing.

Monica Crowley, the US Chief of Protocol, said on X: “I was honoured to be aboard Air Force One last night on its final flight.” She added: “For nearly 40 years, it carried every President since George HW Bush. It wasn't the most modern plane, but it was cosy. And every flight with President Trump was incredibly special. Farewell and thank you, SAM 2900. You served all of us well.” Trump returned from the visit to France in the small hours of Thursday.

Trump’s communications director Steven Cheung also posted on X, sharing a picture of the white and blue jet on the tarmac. “Well done, good and faithful servant. ‘The Last Ride’,” he wrote.

NBC News reported that Trump was considering taking the inaugural flight of the Qatari jet when he travels to Mount Rushmore in South Dakota next month as part of celebrations for America’s 250th anniversary. The Qatari Boeing 747 has been painted in a new red, white and blue colour scheme, replacing the current “Jackie Kennedy” design in robin’s egg blue and white. In May, Pentagon officials told lawmakers that the total cost of overhauling the Qatari plane had not exceeded USD 400 million.

The Qatari jet will serve as a bridge aircraft until two other 747s ordered by the US Air Force at a cost of USD 5.6 billion enter service. Air Force One is the designation used for any plane carrying the president, a US official said, and the Air Force will refer to the Qatari plane as VC-25B.

With PTI Inputs

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