While it’s common to see aircraft divert for technical reasons, it doesn’t typically happen to Air Force One. Then again, given the age of the planes that are usually operating these flights, it’s also not too surprising.
In this post:
Trump’s flight to Switzerland diverts over electrical issue
Yesterday, President Trump was supposed to fly to Davos, Switzerland, to attend the World Economic Forum. Any plane with the President of the United States onboard has the callsign “Air Force One.” The primary planes that typically act as Air Force One are modified Boeing 747-200s, designated as the VC-25A.
On Tuesday, January 20, 2026, Air Force One departed from Andrews Air Force Base (ADW) in Maryland, and started its journey across the Atlantic to Davos, only to turn around roughly an hour after takeoff. The aircraft reportedly encountered a “minor electrical issue,” and no further details are known.
The plane landed back at Andrews Air Force Base shortly after 11PM. With the electrical problem not being able to be fixed on short notice, the decision was made to instead fly on a modified Air Force Boeing 757-200, designated as the FC-32.
The plane took off once again shortly after midnight, and completed the journey to Davos without further incident. As was the case on the previous flight, this also used the callsign “Air Force One.”
The Boeing 757 is the same kind of plane that Trump flew before he took office, though I’m guessing the government version doesn’t have quite as, umm, blingy of an interior.
Trump is of course frustrated by the age of Air Force One
While not specific to this incident, keep in mind that President Trump has been extremely frustrated and concerned about the age of Air Force One. The two VC-25As that typically fly as Air Force One are from the early 1990s, so they’re around 35 years old at this point.
While planes can safely fly for much longer than that, there’s no denying that more minor maintenance issues can arise as planes get older, leading to issues like this. However, Trump’s primary concern seems to be how ugly the interior of the plane is, at least based on his commentary in the past.
While there are plans for a couple of new Boeing 747-8s to act as Air Force One in the future, that project has been delayed by many years. Trump has grown impatient, so we’re currently seeing a Boeing 747-8 that’s a gift from Qatar being retrofitted to be able to operate as Air Force One, because Trump wants it flying ASAP. Once Trump is out of office, the plane won’t stay with the Air Force, but instead, will enter Trump’s Presidential Library.
Bottom line
President Trump’s trip to Davos didn’t exactly go as planned, after Air Force One had to return to Andrews Air Force Base due to an electrical issue.
While the flight was operated by a modified Boeing 747-200 (designated as the VC-25A), the replacement flight was operated by a modified Boeing 757-200 (designated as the FC-32). So while not quite as spacious of a ride across the Atlantic, the aircraft swap caused a minimal delay.
What do you make of this Air Force One diversion?
I'm going to say this louder for everyone.
WE
DO
NOT
CARE
ABOUT
USA
OR
ANYTHING
ABOUT
IT
Stop giving these clowns the time of day.
Ben I like you and your blog. I'll give you some advice.
Probably not the best use of words in your title, "Trump Downgraded".
You best carry your US passport even to get grocerys in case you come across ICE.
Remember your article about Egypt.
So, now we’re the same as Egypt? Yikes, it’s far worse than we even imagined.
Nah, Ben’s just fine.
there is no reason to talk about this clown here. please don't start.
This.
Technically the flight didn’t divert, it air interrupted.
lol POTUS interruptus
How about flying an E-4B instead?
I don't understand why they didn't use the backup VC-25A plane.
There are two VC-25A aircraft for redundancy, one with tail number 28000 and one with tail number 29000:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_VC-25
I can only imagine the tantrum that happened.
Regarding @This comes to mind's question, both planes fly when he flies for security reasons so that no one will know which plane he is on. Yes, the second plane is a backup should there be an issue with the first plane. In addition, on arrival it is generally positioned at an alternate location from the other plane so both can't be taken out at once....
I can only imagine the tantrum that happened.
Regarding @This comes to mind's question, both planes fly when he flies for security reasons so that no one will know which plane he is on. Yes, the second plane is a backup should there be an issue with the first plane. In addition, on arrival it is generally positioned at an alternate location from the other plane so both can't be taken out at once. The secret service would not find it acceptable to have two different planes in use for one trip.
I'm sure that he was dissatisfied with the downgrade to the 757 and, also, some press and staff would have been booted the 747 is pretty damn crowded once you go behind the President's and Secretaries' area.
It's not an ugly plane. It's a serviceable plane. It has a bedroom for the president, an office, a conference room and all the other things you'd need to be safe and secure and carry a lot of other staff and press and a LOT of cargo.
Also, that Qatari plane isn't flying before January 2029.
Finally, if the president is the plane it's AF1. It can be an executive jet. It's AF1.
I should have clarified... a plane operated by the Air Force is AF1. That's why the helicopter is Marine 1...
I don't think they use the decoy principle with 'AF1'. There's so much media coverage when he travels on it, easy to work out which it is and they don't even bother hiding it on tracking sites. As you say, the back-up will often be at alternate, which defies this point of using identical decoys when the most risky point is on/near to ground.
One of the E-4Bs transited ahead of the planned AF1, so...
I don't think they use the decoy principle with 'AF1'. There's so much media coverage when he travels on it, easy to work out which it is and they don't even bother hiding it on tracking sites. As you say, the back-up will often be at alternate, which defies this point of using identical decoys when the most risky point is on/near to ground.
One of the E-4Bs transited ahead of the planned AF1, so that was likely the contingency plane as clearly only one VC-25 available, maybe positioned at Ramstein
This is strange. There are two VC-25As. And, I've read they normal both fly when the President travels. Why didn't he hop on the other one?
Gee a 747 and a 757, two things they don't make anymore (hopefully Trump is in that category).
The Qatari 747-8 is a gift to the United Syates, as are all gifts of any value. Trump can't take it with him.
That's not what Tubby Orange POTUS thinks! He thinks he's going to take it to his presidential library and use it for library business (aka whatever he wants).
He couldn't if he were a Democrat. Since he's a Republican, he's allowed to break the law with no repercussions. He's seriously going to take it with him. He says it'll go to his library.
These comment posts are becoming less and less relevant every time I read them as unfortunately politics and partisanship overtake professionalism and technical accuracy. A pity really, maybe someone can put some order back into this free for all.
I agree. Pity these commenters aren't showing more professionalism. Where did the technical accuracy one expects from internet comments go? Sadly, no one takes internet commenting seriously anymore, and that's a shame.
So my thought was this is why they have two 747s in case of an issue but interesting this wasn’t the case and they had to use the 757 which I’m sure doesn’t have the array of “ countermeasures “. Also how comes they can retrofit the Qatar 747 in no time but it’s a decade for the actual new 747s ???
I believe at least a couple of the C-32/757s are spec'd to the necessary requirements for AF1, including countermeasures etc, as they are an acceptable alternative to the VC-25/747 (i.e. when airfield too small).
I expect the Qatari 747 will have a restricted mission profile for the limited modifications expected. Like domestic ops only with a comms suite and bolt on sensors. Probably ideal for ferrying Trump to Florida and back and save the cycles...
I believe at least a couple of the C-32/757s are spec'd to the necessary requirements for AF1, including countermeasures etc, as they are an acceptable alternative to the VC-25/747 (i.e. when airfield too small).
I expect the Qatari 747 will have a restricted mission profile for the limited modifications expected. Like domestic ops only with a comms suite and bolt on sensors. Probably ideal for ferrying Trump to Florida and back and save the cycles on VC-25. Could have one based at Washington and Florida each on stand-by when not planned for international trips.
Hi Lucky, I have never seen the designation FC-32 used before, only C-32. While the 757 is renowned for its sporty take-offs, and the RNZAF does a great display in theirs, I don’t think it would ever carry a fighter designation ;-)
It's funny how when it comes to his own safety, he listens to the experts instead of hiring ex-anchors from Fox.
Of course people have to make this political. Really, got nothing better to do? Planes break and then a contingency plan has to be implemented. Would you rather have your 777 go out of service and you get bounced back to a coach seat in a 757 or would you rather the President get bounced back to a 757 albeit that seat will still be something like you will never see.
Ah George. A person who mockingly asks others if they have nothing better to do, while he has nothing better to do than to respond to them. Typical MAGA snowflake response.
Hey 1990! Do you like fishing? What about woodworking? I’m looking for a blog on a topic where you won’t stink up every thread…..
But Ronnie, 1990 is Ben’s click generator and we all know what click make don’t we?
Thanks for the extra attention! Feed me more!
What happened to the 747-8 that he took as bribe from Qatar?
it'll take years before it can be properly kitted out to serve as the current aircraft do. it'll be done just in time to deliver to his "library."
It was such a tactful and coherent speech, it's a good thing he got there on time.
World Economic Forum.
Where the rich and powerful hypocrites plot world domination on how to successfully brainwash middle class pawns.
…. and how do you classify yourself Esk? You come across as socialist, if not communist. Proletariat either way, yes?
I'm surprised they're citing an electrical issue as Trump always has a couple of screws loose.
Is that why he missed Carney's speech?
That speech would have (rightfully) scared him into another 300-tweets-in-one-hour-multiple-full-diaper-loads-stage 5-dementia panic.
Carney knocked it out of the park. Talk about speaking truth. Oof.
Even POTUS isn't immune from an equipment swap!
Our President deserves a safe operating aircraft. What the Democrats have done by delaying the delivery of a suitable aircraft is beyond criminal.
LOL Faron Key you MAGAts always find a hilariously irrelevant way to blame the Democrats for your own incompetence. Toughen up snowflake, take personal responsibility and stop playing victim.
"Our President deserves a safe operating aircraft."
True!
And your citizens deserve a safe environment to go shopping, attend school, go to work, and live their lives without fear of being attacked by masked Nazi brown shirts and murderous goons.
Funny how that works.
Thank you, Willy
Given that this is a Blog for Aviation Enthusiasts, I am surprised, how sloppy this is written:
"Air Force One departed from Andrews Air Force Base (ADW) in Maryland, and started its journey across the Atlantic to Davos"
and
"The plane took off once again shortly after midnight, and completed the journey to Davos"
Neither the original VC-25A nor the replacement F-32 started or completed a a journey "to Davos". These...
Given that this is a Blog for Aviation Enthusiasts, I am surprised, how sloppy this is written:
"Air Force One departed from Andrews Air Force Base (ADW) in Maryland, and started its journey across the Atlantic to Davos"
and
"The plane took off once again shortly after midnight, and completed the journey to Davos"
Neither the original VC-25A nor the replacement F-32 started or completed a a journey "to Davos". These were flights bound for ZRH. When the F-32 finally made it to ZRH, Trump continued to Davos by helicopter.
Boo hoo…
And the first post did not mention the departure time. If Ben had been blogging a trip to Frankfurt, he surely would have mentioned how many hours he was delayed.
What's the point of having two 747s, if the backup isn't available when needed? Another missing point.
I think it would have been hilarious if the plane had had to divert to an airport in Greenland. Imagine the internet chaos!
Pandemonium!
He'll probably land at Pituffik Space Base and claim he meant to visit the new U.S. territory, counting it as an another brilliant win. This, of course, will neatly sidestep the actual story of how his plane had an emergency diversion and he was screaming over Greenland.
I wonder if a bunch of reporters were denied boarding due to insufficient seating or if the 757 actually has enough seats this time?
That's amazing speed, only on the ground for an hour.
So now you care about journalists? Psh.
Are you employed? I see you comment on pretty much every single article on DOC, OMAAT, and VFTW.
You need more hobbies and a job.
Hey Thomas! Are your pants up to your belly button? Do you have insults from contexts other than crusty ass dads from the 80s?
Jog on snowflake.
Struck a nerve, perhaps? Maybe if you spent more time bettering yourself instead of posting an endless amount of comments on frequent flyer blogs, you’d have more to show in life.
Excellent self-own, Thomas. Sassing someone for "posting an endless amount of comments on frequent flyer blogs" while engaging in the very behavior you're alleging in your j'accuse.
Pot, meet weird snowflake MAGA kettle Thomas.
On any given AF1 flight there are typically dozens of people on the plane. Happy everyone is safe.
If Trump thinks AF1 is old, he should hop on a DL 763, LOL!
it's just older than any of the girls he fucked on little st John...
You say "Any plane with the President of the United States onboard has the callsign 'Air Force One'.” Actually, only an Air Force aircraft with the president on board uses the call sign "Air Force One". A Navy aircraft uses "Navy One", a Coast Guard aircraft uses "Coast Guard One", and so on. A civilian aircraft with the president on board uses "Executive One".
Air Force aircraft are subject to the same mechanical problems as commercial aircraft. Not like this never happened on a commercial flight.
I imagine the electrical system on a presidential plane is a whole lot more sophisticated than on commercial planes
I love this for him
They should have diverted to St. Elizabeth's and dropped him off for the institutionalized care he so desperately needs. And another diaper change.
Willy, if you can arrange for the institutionalisation of Starmer too, the vast majority of thinking people in Great Britain, would applaud your action …. :-)
wasn't this time, but It is bound to happen soon!