First delivery for Air Force One slides to 2029, source says

WASHINGTON — Boeing’s troubled project to provide two new Air Force One jets is facing new delays, likely pushing the delivery of the first jet out to 2029 or even later, a source told Breaking Defense.

The Air Force is still working to validate the schedule for when Boeing can deliver the militarized jumbo jets, meaning they might arrive even later than 2029, according to the source, who requested anonymity to share non-public information. 

“It’s an honor to be entrusted with this responsibility and we take pride in this work,” Boeing said in a statement. “Our focus is on delivering two exceptional Air Force One airplanes for the country.”

Negotiated under the previous Trump administration, the Air Force One deal has proved painful for Boeing amid massive headwinds, including over $2 billion in losses and years of delays. The jet’s first flight was last scheduled for March 2026, Breaking Defense previously reported, a setback of an additional 16 months. The Wall Street Journal first reported the new delivery date. 

An Air Force spokesperson told Breaking Defense that Boeing is expected to provide a new master schedule in the spring. Once that’s delivered, the Air Force will then “conduct a schedule risk assessment to inform establishing revised” dates for key milestones, such as when the aircraft could be operational.

Officials expected the program to be about two-to-three years late under the revised 2022 schedule, which set the delivery of the first jet for September 2026 but with a year of schedule margin. The second was set to be delivered in February 2027, also with a full year of wiggle room. It’s not clear specifically when the jets would arrive under a revised plan. 

Boeing has faced a slew of challenges refurbishing the two 747s under contract for the program, ranging from supply chain to workforce. The new lags mean President-elect Donald Trump — who personally intervened in negotiations for the two jets — likely won’t be able to fly on a new Air Force One before his second term concludes. The first jet was originally expected this year. 

Trump’s return to the White House could also change the aircraft’s design once again, from a white and light-blue hue to his original preference for white, red and dark blue, Politico previously reported. The Air Force spokesperson told Breaking Defense that the aircraft’s “livery options” were finalized last year.