White House Officials Bid Farewell To Air Force One In Service Since 1990

White House officials marked the end of service for one of the aircraft that has flown presidents for decades, bidding farewell to an Air Force One plane that has been in use since 1990.

The aircraft is a VC-25A, a Boeing 747 that has been part of the presidential airlift fleet and is commonly referred to as Air Force One when the president is aboard. The sendoff involved White House staff and officials, who recognized the plane’s long tenure supporting presidential travel and the operations that move with the commander in chief.

The retirement closes a chapter on a high-profile workhorse that has served across multiple administrations. In addition to its symbolic role, the aircraft has been a key component of presidential logistics, enabling rapid travel for the president and senior aides while also serving as a secure, mobile environment for official duties in transit.

The plane’s departure matters because presidential airlift is a constant requirement of modern government, and changes to the fleet affect planning, staffing, maintenance, and mission readiness. Retiring a jet that has been in service since 1990 underscores how long these aircraft are kept operational and how significant it is when one finally leaves the rotation.

The farewell also comes as the broader discussion about presidential aircraft continues. Recent reporting has noted that President Donald Trump may receive another Boeing 747 donated by Qatar for presidential travel. The White House sendoff, however, focused on the existing aircraft’s service history and its role in supporting the presidency over more than three decades.

The VC-25A fleet has been a familiar part of presidential life, visible on tarmacs around the world and at major national events. For staff, it is also a workplace, housing the crews, communications capabilities, and support functions required for the president to travel with continuity of government in mind.

What happens next will be a transition away from this specific airframe as it is retired from service. Other aircraft and systems that support presidential travel will continue to carry the mission, with White House and military staff adjusting schedules and operations accordingly.

For the officials and staff who worked around it, the sendoff was a moment to recognize an aircraft that has been part of presidential movements since 1990—and to turn the page to what comes next for presidential air travel.