White House officials on Thursday strongly hinted that the current Air Force One has completed its service, as President Donald Trump arrived in Washington after returning from the G7 summit in France. There was no formal announcement, but several Trump administration figures posted photos, videos, and personal reflections about the presidential aircraft on social media.
White House communications director Steven Cheung wrote, “Good job by the faithful and good servant. This is the last flight.” Trump adviser Dan Scavino, who previously served as White House chief of staff during Trump’s first term, posted a video of the plane’s arrival in Washington and said he had been privileged to fly on the iconic aircraft for five and a half years, out of its 35 years of service to U.S. presidents. He added, “Thank you so much, Air Force 1.”
The timing of the posts appears tied to preparations to switch to a new presidential aircraft donated to the United States by Qatar last year. The jet is a Boeing 747-8 jumbo plane that has spent the past year undergoing upgrades to meet presidential standards, including secure communications systems, onboard electronic defenses, and modular external insulation for carrying large groups. Officials also carried out extensive checks to ensure it contains no listening or tracking devices.
According to Fox News, the Trump administration wants the first flight on the new Air Force One to take place on July 3, a day before the 250th anniversary celebrations of U.S. independence. Trump is expected to travel then to Mount Rushmore in South Dakota. No official confirmation has yet been issued that the current aircraft, in use since 1990, is being retired.
