local
Qatari-gifted Boeing 747 joins presidential fleet as aging Air Force One retires
By Haley Britzky, Alexandra Skores, CNN Newsource at KXXV (ABC 25) News
· June 19, 2026
· 4 min read
After an early Thursday morning landing near Washington, two White House officials posted social media farewells to the heavily modified Boeing 747-200, which has flown as Air Force One since 1990, as the first of three planes being modified for the role is set to be delivered soon.The last ride,...
Key takeaway The last ride, White House communications director Steve Cheung said sharing a photo of the plane - which the Air Force calls a VC-25A - in a post on X.
Why this matters in The Waco
As the aging Air Force One retires, Waco residents may wonder about the local impact of this change. Although the new planes will be based in Washington, the retirement of the old VC-25As and the introduction of the Qatari-gifted Boeing 747 may have implications for air traffic and security in nearby areas. With the VC-25B Bridge aircraft set to join the active executive airlift fleet, it's possible that Joint Base Andrews, where the old Air Force One landed for the last time, may see increased activity. This could have a ripple effect on air travel and security protocols in the region, potentially affecting Waco's own air traffic and transportation systems. As the new planes are delivered and become operational, local residents should watch for any changes in air traffic patterns or security measures that may impact the Waco area.
About this story
Original reporting by KXXV (ABC 25) News . The Waco surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KXXV (ABC 25) News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 19, 2026 ·
Source: KXXV (ABC 25) News ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? After an early Thursday morning landing near Washington, two White House officials posted social media farewells to the heavily modified Boeing 747-200, which has flown as Air Force One since 1990, as the first of three planes being modified for the role is set to be delivered soon.The last ride,...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 19, 2026 by KXXV (ABC 25) News and curated for The Waco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Haley Britzky, Alexandra Skores, CNN Newsource at KXXV (ABC 25) News. To learn more about how The Waco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Waco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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