The U.S. Air Force has completed the modification and testing of a Boeing 747 aircraft gifted by Qatar for temporary use as Air Force One. The aircraft, currently undergoing a paint job in red, white, and blue, is set to be ready for President Donald Trump’s use this summer, according to an announcement made by the Air Force on Friday.
A year ago, U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth accepted the luxury jet amid ethical and legal concerns over accepting a costly gift from a foreign country. However, Trump defended the acceptance, citing it as a means to save taxpayer money. Trump has stated that he will not utilize the aircraft after his term ends, intending to donate it to a future presidential library, similar to the decommissioning of the Boeing 707 used by President Ronald Reagan.
The former Qatari jet will act as an interim solution until Boeing delivers a new pair of aircraft, expected in 2028. The current Air Force One planes, which have been in operation for nearly four decades, are due for replacement, a move eagerly awaited by Trump. The new jumbo jets, retrofitted by Boeing from 747s originally intended for a defunct Russian airline, have faced numerous delays over the past decade.
Security remains a top priority in presidential travel, with the existing Air Force One planes featuring robust security measures designed during the Cold War era. The capabilities added to the former Qatari jet have not been disclosed, and the cost of the modifications remains undisclosed as well. The Air Force undertook training exercises with leased and purchased aircraft to prepare pilots for the new variant, as Boeing ceased 747 production in 2023.
President Trump has expressed impatience with the delayed delivery of the new planes, describing the situation as chaotic. He has voiced dissatisfaction, comparing Air Force One unfavorably to aircraft used by certain Arab leaders. The $400 million US Qatari plane is lauded for its lavish amenities and upscale finishes, earning it the moniker “palace in the sky.”