U.S. Air Force Buying Two Lufthansa 747-8s to Support Air Force One Fleet

The U.S. Air Force is acquiring two Boeing 747-8i aircraft—reportedly from Lufthansa—for approximately $400 million to support the future presidential airlift fleet. The aircraft will be used for crew training and as a critical source of spare parts for the two heavily modified 747-8is being converted into the next Air Force One under the VC-25B program.

Because the Boeing 747-8 is no longer in production and differs substantially from the aging 747-200-based VC-25As currently used as Air Force One, the Air Force says the purchase is essential to establish a long-term training and maintenance capability. In a statement, the service noted: “Given the 747-8i is no longer in active production, it is important for the Air Force to establish an overall training and sustainment strategy for the future Air Force 747-8i fleet.”

The first of the newly purchased 747-8is is expected to arrive in early 2026, with the second scheduled before the end of that year. Lufthansa, one of the few passenger airlines to operate the 747-8i, declined to comment on the reported sale.

The acquisition is separate from the two VC-25B aircraft Boeing is modifying for presidential duty. Those jets require extensive structural, communications, and security enhancements, including hardened systems, a medical suite, and a classified command-and-control center. Due to supply chain issues, workforce disruptions, and technical challenges, delivery of the first VC-25B has slipped to mid-2028—about four years behind schedule.

The delays have drawn repeated criticism from President Donald Trump, who has publicly pressed Boeing to accelerate the project. Earlier this year, Trump accepted a 747-8 previously owned by the Qatari government as an interim presidential aircraft. That jet, which is separate from the Lufthansa purchases, is undergoing militarization work, though aviation specialists doubt it can be ready by the president’s suggested February 2026 debut.

The Air Force One replacement program has faced cost overruns since Boeing agreed to a fixed-price $3.9 billion contract in 2018. Despite ongoing challenges, the Air Force says the addition of two training aircraft will help stabilize the transition to the next-generation presidential fleet and ensure crews can maintain proficiency on the 747-8 platform.

With the VC-25B timeline now targeting mid-2028 for first delivery and the second aircraft likely following in 2029, the service continues to refine its long-term sustainment strategy as it prepares for the most significant change to the presidential airlift fleet in decades.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, flyingmag.com, yahoo.com