Key facts
- President Donald Trump's new Air Force One, a $400 million VC-25B Bridge, may not go to his presidential library.
- A retired Boeing 747, SAM 29000, is planned for the library instead.
- The VC-25B Bridge was a gift from Qatar.
- The 89th Airlift Wing operates the VIP fleet that transports the president and other government officials.
- Retired presidential planes are often acquired by aviation museums and presidential libraries.
Presidential planes, known as Air Force One when the president is onboard, serve as more than just aircraft; they are considered pieces of American history. The 89th Airlift Wing, based at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, operates the VIP fleet for transporting the president, vice president, Cabinet members, and other government officials.
When these presidential aircraft are retired, they are frequently acquired by aviation museums and presidential libraries. However, some end up in "boneyards" where planes are stored indefinitely.