Air Force One Incident Delays Trump’s Davos Trip

On the night of January 20, 2026, what should have been a routine transatlantic flight for President Donald Trump quickly turned into an unexpected detour, casting a spotlight on the safety protocols and aging fleet of America's most famous aircraft. Air Force One, the iconic blue-and-white Boeing 747, was only about 45 minutes into its flight from Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, headed for Davos, Switzerland, when the crew identified what the White House later described as a "minor electrical issue."

According to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, the decision to return to Andrews was made "out of an abundance of caution." The plane touched down safely at 11:07 p.m. Eastern Time, less than an hour after takeoff. As reported by Reuters, the president then switched to a smaller Boeing 757, an Air Force C-32 typically used for domestic trips or smaller airports, which departed just after midnight to continue the journey to Switzerland.

Reporters traveling with the president noted that the lights in the press cabin flickered and briefly went out after takeoff, but no further explanation was provided at the time. Fox News correspondent Kevin Corke, aboard the flight, relayed that the incident occurred shortly after the 10:20 p.m. departure, with the return to base happening swiftly and efficiently. While the electrical issue was ultimately deemed minor, the incident served as a reminder of the meticulous safety standards that govern presidential travel.

"This will be an interesting trip," President Trump remarked to reporters on the White House lawn before leaving for Joint Base Andrews earlier that evening. "I have no idea what is going to happen. But you are well represented." The president was accompanied by key members of his administration, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, as well as a pool of journalists and staffers.

The change of planes did more than just shuffle seating assignments. It also meant a delay in the president's tightly scheduled itinerary. Trump was slated to address the World Economic Forum in Davos at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time on January 21, 2026, but Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, already in Switzerland, informed the press that Trump would be about three hours late. The delay, while not catastrophic, underscored the ripple effects that even minor mechanical issues can have on global diplomacy and high-stakes international gatherings.

The incident also reignited discussion about the aging Air Force One fleet. The two modified Boeing 747-200B jets, designated VC-25A by the Air Force, have served as the primary presidential aircraft since 1990. Plans to replace them with newer models have faced repeated delays: the first replacement is now expected in 2027, with the second following in 2028, according to the U.S. Air Force. Last summer, President Trump announced that an aircraft from the Qatari royal family, valued at $400 million, would eventually be converted for presidential use. However, Air Force Secretary Troy Meink cautioned that renovation costs could run into several hundred million dollars before the jet would be ready to serve as Air Force One.

Leavitt, perhaps trying to lighten the mood, joked to reporters that a Qatari jet sounded "much better" at that moment. The quip highlighted both the ongoing logistical challenges and the ever-present sense of humor that sometimes accompanies the rigors of presidential travel.

While air safety incidents involving the president or vice president are rare, they are not without precedent. According to Reuters, Air Force One once aborted a landing due to bad weather while carrying President Barack Obama in 2011, and Air Force Two, carrying then-Vice President Joe Biden, was struck by birds in California in 2012 but landed without issue. Each event serves as a testament to the professionalism and preparedness of Air Force crews, who are trained to handle emergencies with precision and calm.

As President Trump continued his journey to Davos, the world watched not only for his arrival but also for the diplomatic storm brewing on the ground. According to NBC News, some of Trump's allies in Switzerland were already uneasy about his recent push for the United States to take control of Greenland, a move that has drawn skepticism and even outright opposition from European partners. The president's threat to impose new tariffs on eight key allies—including the U.K., France, and Germany—unless they supported his plan, prompted European officials to schedule an emergency summit on January 22, 2026, to consider retaliatory tariffs.

The markets did not react kindly to the escalating trade tensions. On January 20, 2026, the S&P 500 closed down nearly 2.1%, the Nasdaq Composite dropped more than 2.4%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped just over 1.7%. The timing could hardly have been worse for the White House, as the president sought to project strength and stability on the world stage.

Despite the mechanical hiccup and diplomatic headwinds, the White House emphasized that the president's security was never at risk. The swift response by the Air Force crew and the seamless transfer to a backup aircraft demonstrated the layers of precaution built into presidential travel. As one unnamed official told the Associated Press, "Every possible contingency is planned for, and the safety of the president is always the top priority."

Back at Joint Base Andrews, members of the media were seen switching planes alongside the president, a rare but telling glimpse into the logistical ballet that supports the commander-in-chief. The new aircraft, while smaller and less iconic than the 747, assumed the call sign "Air Force One" the moment the president stepped aboard, in accordance with Air Force protocol.

As dawn broke over the Atlantic, President Trump and his entourage pressed on toward Switzerland, their journey a few hours behind schedule but otherwise uninterrupted. The incident, while minor in technical terms, offered a vivid reminder of the complexities—and occasional unpredictability—of presidential travel in a world where even the smallest glitch can have global consequences.

For now, the president's trip to Davos will be remembered as much for its bumpy start as for the high-stakes diplomacy awaiting him on arrival. The world’s eyes remain fixed on both the tarmac and the negotiating table, as America’s leader navigates turbulence of more than one kind.