Why is a new Air Force One taking so long to build?
Trump may look for alternatives for his new plane


President Donald Trump wants a new plane — and he wants it sooner rather than later. But building a new Air Force One has taken longer and is more expensive than expected, which is raising the president's ire.
Trump is "angry over delays" in completing a new version of Air Force One, said CNN. Boeing, which has been plagued by troubles in its commercial airliner business, received the 2018 contract to furnish the two planes, one for use and one for backup. The construction was originally expected to be completed in 2024; The White House is still waiting. "I'm not happy with the fact that it's taken so long," Trump said to reporters. He is considering alternatives.
Why does AF1 need to be replaced?
The current pair of 747s serving as Air Force One are "surprisingly old," Popular Mechanics said way back in 2015. The model 747-200Bs were originally introduced in 1971, and production on them ended in 1991. The first president to use the existing versions of Air Force One was George H.W. Bush, in 1990. "The big communications innovation at the time was a fax machine," said The New York Times. There have been upgrades since then, but it is time for a replacement.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
What is taking so long?
Building a plane is complicated. Plus, assembling a plane that is designed as a flying command post for the most powerful person in the world during a nuclear war increases the level of difficulty. Boeing has "faced a slew of challenges" involving everything from the Covid-19 pandemic to the "supply chain to workforce," said Breaking Defense. Trump negotiated the $4 billion purchase of the two new planes on a "fixed-price" contract, said CNN, forcing Boeing to eat the costs of any costs above that price.
It is turning out to be a costly meal: Boeing is already $2.5 billion in the red on the project. The task is to build a plane that allows the president to lead the government "from anywhere around the world in any circumstance," said AeroDynamic Advisory's Richard Aboulafia.
How can Trump speed up the process?
Some security requirements for the new planes' construction are being "eased," said The New York Times. Many mechanics who work on "less sensitive parts of the planes" will no longer be required to get high-level security clearances. Elon Musk pushed for that shift, and Boeing officials say the planes will nonetheless be built in a secure environment. Kelly Ortberg, Boeing's CEO, said he welcomed Musk's input. "I'm all in on trying to get the president the airplanes," Ortberg said.
What's next?
Possibly more holdups. The new jets "will be delayed until 2029 or later," said Fox Business. That would come after the final year of Trump's term in office. There is speculation the hangups could threaten Boeing's other business contracts with the U.S. government. Certainly, The White House is angry. "It is ridiculous that the delivery of a new Air Force One airplane has been delayed for such a long time," said Steven Cheung, the president's communications director.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Joel Mathis is a writer with 30 years of newspaper and online journalism experience. His work also regularly appears in National Geographic and The Kansas City Star. His awards include best online commentary at the Online News Association and (twice) at the City and Regional Magazine Association.
-
‘Every argument has a rational, emotional, and rhetorical component’
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
October 6 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Monday’s political cartoons include bad news overload, Donald Trump repeatedly crossing a red line, and the Statue of Liberty fallen on hard times
-
Scorching hot sauces that pack a punch
The Week Recommends The best sauces to tingle your lips and add a fiery kick to your food
-
Russia: already at war with Europe?
Talking Point As Kremlin begins ‘cranking up attacks’ on Ukraine’s European allies, questions about future action remain unanswered
-
Museum head ousted after Trump sword gift denial
Speed Read Todd Arrington, who led the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, denied the Trump administration a sword from the collection as a gift for King Charles
-
Trump declares ‘armed conflict’ with drug cartels
speed read This provides a legal justification for recent lethal military strikes on three alleged drug trafficking boats
-
Supreme Court rules for Fed’s Cook in Trump feud
Speed Read Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook can remain in her role following Trump’s attempts to oust her
-
‘This isn’t just semantics’
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Miami Freedom Tower’s MAGA library squeeze
THE EXPLAINER Plans to place Donald Trump’s presidential library next to an iconic symbol of Florida’s Cuban immigrant community has South Florida divided
-
Judge rules Trump illegally targeted Gaza protesters
Speed Read The Trump administration’s push to arrest and deport international students for supporting Palestine is deemed illegal
-
Trump: US cities should be military ‘training grounds’
Speed Read In a hastily assembled summit, Trump said he wants the military to fight the ‘enemy within’ the US