The United States Air Force (MC, Washington National) is acquiring two B747-8s for USD400 million to establish a training and sustainment programme for its future presidential airlift fleet, Reuters reported.
In a statement to the news agency, the Air Force said the purchase is part of the service’s efforts to accelerate the presidential airlift programme, as it prepares to transition and introduce two new modified B747-8(VC-25B)s in mid-2028, and retiring two ageing B747-200(VC-25A)s introduced into active service in August 1990.
The first aircraft is expected to arrive in early 2026, with the second delivery scheduled before year-end. Reuters reported that the Air Force is most likely buying them from Lufthansa (LH, Frankfurt International).
Contacted by ch-aviation, Lufthansa confirmed that it is removing two B747-8s from its scheduled fleet in 2026: D-ABYD (msn 37829) and D-ABYG (msn 37831). However, it declined to comment on the buyer for the two aircraft, which entered its fleet in August 2012 and March 2013, respectively, and are both company-owned, ch-aviation fleets data shows.
The Air Force One programme is currently working to modify two B747-8s to serve as the next generation of the presidential fleet. The first is expected to be delivered in mid-2028, a year behind schedule.
In addition, the United States received a VIP-configured B747-8(BBJ) gifted by Qatar earlier this year. This will be used next year as transport for President Donald Trump and is currently being refurbished and retrofitted by L3Harris Technologies.
The United States Air Force was not immediately available to confirm the reports that it is acquiring the two Lufthansa B747-8s.
