President Donald Trump recently toured a Boeing 747 parked at Florida's Palm Beach International Airport, expressing frustration over the significant delays in the delivery of new Air Force One planes. The cost-overruns have reached over $2 billion, and the aircraft are years behind schedule, casting uncertainty on whether they will be ready during Trump's current term. Executives at Boeing are under pressure to resolve these issues, with Trump's advisor Elon Musk collaborating to expedite the process.
President Trump's dissatisfaction stems from the prolonged timeline for the pair of Boeing 747s, which were negotiated during his first term under a $4 billion contract. The White House has not yet commented on the matter. Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg acknowledged the president's frustrations, stating, "The president's clearly not happy with the delivery timing. I think he's made that well known."
Boeing has faced challenges, including a near-catastrophic door-plug blowout in January 2024 that further delayed deliveries and prompted a leadership change. Despite these setbacks, Ortberg expressed confidence that Boeing can meet its commitments, noting no supply chain issues hindering the production of their profitable 737 Max planes. Ortberg emphasized collaboration with Trump's advisor, Elon Musk, saying, "Elon Musk is actually helping us a lot in working through the requirements… to help us get the things that are non-value added constraints out of the way so that we can move faster and get the President those airplanes delivered."
Airline customers have also voiced concerns over Boeing's delays. United Airlines executives indicated optimism about the manufacturer's direction under Ortberg's leadership. Bob Jordan, CEO of Southwest Airlines, remarked, "While they still have much work to do, they appear to be on a good path, and we are feeling more optimistic." United Airlines CFO Mike Leskinen praised Boeing's efforts, stating, "Boeing is doing a pretty miraculous job of turning around and becoming more reliable as a supplier."
The situation remains complex as Boeing endeavors to balance its commitments to the U.S. government and its airline customers. The delays have prompted discussions about alternative solutions. President Trump hinted at other possibilities, saying, "We may buy a plane or get a plane, or something."