President Donald Trump has become the last U.S. president to fly on one of the old Air Force One planes, marking the end of an era in presidential aviation history. The aircraft made its final trip earlier this week when it brought Trump back to the United States from Europe.
The retirement of the aircraft was marked by White House officials on social media, with White House Communications Director Steven Cheung posting a photo of the plane and calling the flight "The Last Ride."
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino also shared a farewell message, saying he had been fortunate to fly around the world on the iconic plane for 5 1/2 years.
The aircraft's official Air Force name is the VC-25A, and it has been carrying presidents for more than three decades. The U.S. government is now preparing three newer Boeing 747-800 aircraft to take over presidential travel duties.
The Boeing replacement aircraft have faced repeated delays, with the expected delivery date now pushed back to mid-2028. The new aircraft will move away from the traditional appearance of the iconic plane, marking the end of a major chapter in presidential aviation history.
