Air Force One Incident Forces Trump Flight Delay

On the evening of January 20, 2026, what began as a routine transatlantic flight for President Donald Trump quickly turned into an unexpected detour, drawing new attention to the aging fleet that serves as Air Force One. Just about an hour after departing Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, and heading towards Switzerland for the World Economic Forum in Davos, the presidential aircraft was forced to return due to what officials described as a “minor electrical issue.”

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt shared details of the incident with reporters, explaining, “After takeoff, the crew on Air Force One identified ‘a minor electrical issue’ and, out of an abundance of caution, we are turning around, landing at Joint Base Andrews and boarding new aircraft.” According to reporters on board, some of the cabin lights in the press section briefly went out after takeoff, though the crew did not immediately offer an explanation for the outage. About half an hour into the flight, the decision was made to turn the plane around.

The aircraft, one of two heavily modified Boeing 747s that have transported U.S. presidents for nearly four decades, landed safely at Joint Base Andrews at 11:07 p.m. local time. President Trump, accompanied by senior officials including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, disembarked and prepared to continue the journey on a different plane. The group—including several members of the Cabinet and the traveling press—boarded an Air Force C-32, a modified Boeing 757 typically used for domestic trips or visits to airports with shorter runways, just before midnight.

The unplanned return briefly cast doubt on whether President Trump would arrive in Davos in time for his scheduled speech at 2:30 p.m. local time (8:30 a.m. Eastern) the following day. Ultimately, he was expected to arrive about three hours behind schedule, but his agenda still included meetings with world leaders and a reception with business executives.

The incident on Air Force One is the latest in a series of recent technical issues affecting aircraft used by senior U.S. officials. In February 2025, an Air Force plane carrying Secretary of State Marco Rubio to Germany was forced to return to Washington due to a mechanical problem. Later that year, in October, a military aircraft transporting Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had to make an emergency landing in the United Kingdom after a crack appeared in the windshield. These events have raised questions about the reliability and longevity of the current fleet of U.S. government planes, especially those tasked with transporting the commander in chief and other top officials.

The two planes currently designated as Air Force One have been flying for nearly 40 years. Their longevity is a testament to both their robust engineering and the extensive modifications they have received over the years. Outfitted with advanced survivability features, the aircraft are equipped to handle a range of contingencies, including radiation shielding and antimissile technology. They also boast a sophisticated suite of communications systems, enabling the president to maintain contact with military leaders and issue orders from anywhere in the world.

Despite these upgrades, maintenance issues have become increasingly common. President Trump has reportedly voiced frustration with the aging planes, which are less reliant on electrical systems than newer aircraft but nonetheless face the wear and tear of decades of use. Keith Tonkin, an aviation expert based in Brisbane, Australia, noted that a plane’s electrical system is vital for operating essential systems, including flight controls. “Aircraft electrical systems have backups, suggesting the pilots in this case detected a ‘relatively critical’ issue,” he explained, adding that the decision to return was prudent given the stakes involved.

The need for new presidential aircraft has been recognized for years, and Boeing has been working on replacements—two new 747-8 planes—since Trump’s first administration renegotiated the contract. However, the program has faced a series of delays, and the new planes are not expected to be ready before the end of Trump’s current term. In the meantime, the Air Force One fleet continues to soldier on, even as maintenance concerns mount.

Last year, the ruling family of Qatar sought to address the issue by gifting a luxury Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet to the U.S. government, intended to be added to the Air Force One fleet. The gesture was met with scrutiny and questions about protocol, but the aircraft was accepted in May 2025. Before it can be used for presidential travel, however, the jet must undergo extensive retrofitting to meet stringent U.S. security requirements. This process, which includes installing advanced defensive systems and secure communications equipment, is ongoing. White House press secretary Leavitt even joked with reporters on Tuesday night that the Qatari jet was sounding “much better” now, given the evening’s events.

For those who follow the symbolism of Air Force One, the aircraft is more than just a means of transportation; it is an instantly recognizable emblem of the U.S. presidency, with its iconic blue and white livery and storied history. The sight of the plane returning unexpectedly to base—especially on the eve of a major international summit—was a stark reminder of the challenges that come with maintaining such an aging fleet.

President Trump’s planned appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos was set to include a speech and meetings with several world leaders, some of whom have recently challenged his administration’s positions on issues ranging from the proposed annexation of Greenland to the establishment of a “Board of Peace” aimed at overseeing the cease-fire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The delay in his arrival added a layer of uncertainty to an already closely watched diplomatic mission.

As the new Air Force One planes remain in development and the Qatari 747-8 undergoes its transformation, the U.S. government continues to rely on its time-tested, if occasionally temperamental, Boeing 747s. The events of January 20 served as a pointed reminder that, even for the world’s most powerful leader, the journey can sometimes be just as unpredictable as the destination.

With the president and his team safely en route to Switzerland—albeit on a backup plane—the focus now shifts to the broader question of when, and how, the U.S. will finally bring its presidential air fleet into the modern era.