The iconic Air Force One is back in the spotlight after a minor but significant electrical issue during a flight carrying President Trump today, Thursday, 22 January 2026. While the President was never in danger and the flight landed safely at Joint Base Andrews, the incident has reignited a heated debate over the age and reliability of the current presidential fleet.
Sources within the Air Force report that a “flicker and subsequent failure” in a secondary power bus occurred mid-flight. With symptoms like a brief loss of cabin lighting and some non-essential communication systems recorded.
However, backup systems engaged immediately. The pilots and flight engineers followed standard operating procedures, and no emergency was declared.
The President was reportedly “unfazed,” but the incident delayed his post-flight briefing by approximately 30 minutes while ground crews conducted an initial inspection.
Allegedly, the current presidential aircraft are two highly modified Boeing 747-200B series (designated as VC-25A).
Jitters over this incident are increasing because these planes have been in service since the George H.W. Bush administration (around 1990) hence, they are nearly 36 years old.
More so, for every hour a VC-25A spends in the air, it requires dozens of hours of maintenance on the ground. Parts are increasingly difficult to source as the 747-200 is largely retired from commercial service.
Noting that the replacement aircraft, the VC-25B (modified 747-8s), have been plagued by years of delays and billions in cost overruns at Boeing. Originally slated for 2024, the “New Air Force One” is now not expected to be fully operational until late 2026 or early 2027.
Air Force One: Then vs. Next
| Feature | Current (VC-25A) | Future (VC-25B) |
| Base Model | Boeing 747-200B | Boeing 747-8 |
| Age of Fleet | ~36 Years | Under Construction |
| Range | 7,800 miles | 8,900 miles |
| Efficiency | Lower (4 engines, older tech) | Higher (GenX engines) |
| Status | Frequent minor glitches | Delayed in production |
Critics of the administration are using the glitch to question why the “New Air Force One” project hasn’t been fast-tracked, while supporters of the President are praising the Air Force crews for keeping “a classic” in the air under pressure. One defense analyst noted:
“Air Force One is the ultimate symbol of American power, but right now, it’s a flying museum piece. You can only patch up a 1990-era electrical system so many times before it becomes a liability.”
