In a landmark initiative inspired by the 1975–76 Bicentennial Freedom Train, The Boeing Company has unveiled the Freedom Plane, a specially liveried Boeing 737 commemorating the United States’ upcoming 250th anniversary on 4 July 2026. The Freedom Plane, a Boeing 737‑7BC(WL) BBJ (registration N836BA, c/n 30756) operated by Boeing Executive Flight Operations, embarked on its inaugural journey on Friday, March 6, 2026, departing Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) bound for Kansas City, Missouri. This marks the first time in history that a commercial‑based aircraft has served as a traveling exhibition platform for the U.S. National Archives.
On Wednesday, March 18, 2026, the aircraft made a brief international historic visit to Dublin Airport, arriving from Farnborough landing on Runway 10L under the callsign “Redbarn 235”, before continuing to London Luton later same day.
The aircraft contains a National Archives traveling exhibition bringing nine original Founding-era documents to eight U.S. cities in commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary in 2026. The aircraft will carry and deliver some of the most valuable records in the holdings of the National Archives, including the Oaths of Allegiance signed by George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and Aaron Burr; a Stone Engraving of the Declaration of Independence; the Treaty of Paris that ended the Revolutionary War; a draft printing of the U.S. Constitution; and the U.S. Senate markup of the Bill of Rights
The 737 will visit eight American cities Atlanta, Dearborn, Denver, Los Angeles, Houston, Miami and Seattle from March to August.
Image Credit: Elevationair
Irish Aviation Research Institute © 22 March 2026 All Rights Reserved