New Presidential Aircraft Arrives at Andrews for Commissioning Flights

A modified Boeing 747 has arrived at the Presidential Airlift Group at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, and will begin commissioning flights. The aircraft will operate as a temporary presidential jet until two new VC-25B planes ordered from Boeing are scheduled for delivery in 2028. Officials said the current VC-25A aircraft will remain in service and will not be retired.

The jet’s underbelly is painted navy blue with a red stripe above it. The left side carries the presidential seal and the tail displays a large American flag. Officials stated that much of the previous head-of-state interior layout was retained during modifications.

The aircraft is scheduled to fly over July 4 celebrations next month. Officials said it will also be used for a NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, next month and for a return visit to China in November. The jet will serve as a bridge after the return from the Group of 7 summit in France this week, which officials described as the last planned trip aboard the older aircraft.

The administration formally accepted the Boeing 747 from Qatar last year after the U.S. faced delays in receiving new jets originally due in 2024.

“The Qatari plane was modified under a disciplined engineering approach." — Air Force statement The Air Force has previously estimated that security modifications would cost less than $400 million. Officials said any aircraft designated Air Force One must meet rigorous security requirements. Air Force Gen. Dale White appeared at the June 19, 2026 event alongside the president. The Presidential Airlift Group will assign aircraft to missions based on operational needs.”