Boeing confirms the new Air Force Ones in two years, but costs continue to rise.
On the occasion of the Farnborough Airshow, the American aerospace giant reiterated that the delivery of the two new Air Force Ones is still scheduled for 2028. However, the program will require additional investments beyond what has already been spent, after years of delays and cost increases.
In July 2018, during the first Trump administration, Boeing had received a $3.9 billion contract to build two 747-8 aircraft to be used as Air Force One, with delivery expected by December 2024. However, the aerospace giant postponed delivery to 2028, towards the end of Trump’s second term.
Already at the beginning of 2025, Trump had expressed his disappointment with Boeing over the delays but had excluded the European rival Airbus as an alternative.
Meanwhile, in May 2025 the United States accepted a Boeing 747 aircraft (worth hundreds of millions of dollars) donated by Qatar. The White House asked the Air Force to upgrade the donated aircraft for use as Air Force One.
Technically the program is known as VC-25B, since the famous designation “Air Force One” is reserved for when the president is actually on any US Air Force plane, not when it is on the ground, and much less under construction, clarifies CNN.
While the Boeing program is thus four years behind schedule, Trump began using the Qatari aircraft on July 1, after an accelerated modification program entrusted to L3Harris.
All the details.
BOEING CONFIRMS THE TIMELINE…
“We are on track for 2028 delivery,” said Steve Parker, CEO of Boeing’s Defense, Space & Security division, adding that he expects testing on the first aircraft to begin during the next year.
… BUT PROGRAM COSTS ARE RISING
While confirming the planned timeline, Boeing believes that completing the program will entail additional expenses.
“I expect some cost increases as we proceed and complete wiring and structures, as well as finish our certifications,” Parker explained.
The Air Force One program represents one of the most expensive fixed-price contracts for Boeing, which in recent years has had to absorb significant cost overruns related to the development of the two presidential aircraft. Since 2018 to today, the program has accumulated over $5 billion in costs and a delay of about four years compared to the initial schedule.
THE QATAR BOEING 747 AS A TEMPORARY SOLUTION
While awaiting delivery of the new Air Force Ones, the United States is using a Boeing 747 donated by Qatar in May 2025 as a temporary presidential aircraft.
The plane initially entered service as a bridge solution and the White House occupant began using it on July 1, after an accelerated modification program to adapt it for presidential use.
FURTHER UPDATES ANNOUNCED BY TRUMP
Yesterday the US president stated that the jet donated by Qatar, which serves as Air Force One, will soon undergo another round of upgrades, following questions raised about its security features, reports Reuters.
Asked upon returning from the World Cup final in New Jersey about the plane’s defensive capabilities, Trump replied: “It has many capabilities.” He then added: “But, as I understand it, in about a month they will send it for final tuning… It will take about a month.”
CONCERNS ABOUT THE AIRCRAFT’S SECURITY
The speed with which the Boeing 747 donated by Qatar has been converted for presidential use has raised questions among some experts, who have expressed doubts that the aircraft can offer the same level of protection as the traditional Air Force One, recalls the international news agency.
Besides technical aspects, some critics have challenged both the cost of the operation and the appropriateness of accepting the gift from the Qatari government.
The plan has sparked strong criticism from some observers and Congressional Democrats, who have raised ethical concerns about accepting such a large donation, which would end up in a presidential library within a few years. Critics have also questioned whether the plane can be adequately and quickly modified for use.
But President Trump rejected accusations regarding the acceptance of the aircraft, a 13-year-old Boeing valued at about $400 million, stating that it would be “stupid” to refuse the offer.
