US Air Force to buy two more 747-8s for presidential fleet support

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Air Force said Tuesday it will acquire two Boeing 747-8 jumbo jets for about $400 million to support training and sustainment for its future presidential airlift fleet.

The purchase is part of efforts to accelerate the presidential airlift program as the Air Force prepares to transition from the aging 747-200 aircraft to the newer and larger 747-8 model, according to an official statement.

The first aircraft is expected to arrive in early 2026, with the second delivery scheduled before the end of the year.

The Air Force said the acquisition was necessary because the 747-8i is no longer in active production and differs significantly from the 747-200 jets currently used in the presidential fleet. The two aircraft will be used for crew training and as a source of spare parts.

Several published reports said the planes may be purchased from Germany’s Lufthansa, one of the few passenger airlines that operated the 747-8. The aircraft type was more widely used by cargo carriers before Boeing ended production in early 2023. A Lufthansa spokesperson declined to comment.

The purchase is separate from two 747-8i aircraft currently being modified by Boeing under the VC-25B program, which will serve as the next generation of Air Force One. The first of those aircraft is now expected to be delivered in mid-2028.

An Air Force official, speaking on background, said the two training aircraft are also separate from a 747-8i previously gifted to the United States by Qatar.

The Air Force One replacement program has faced repeated delays and cost overruns since Boeing agreed in 2018 to a $3.9 billion fixed-price contract to deliver two modified 747-8 aircraft.

Last week, the Air Force confirmed that delivery of the first new Air Force One jet has been delayed by another year to mid-2028. -Reporting by Mike Stone in Washington; Editing by Nia Williams and Jamie Freed/Reuters