The U.S. Air Force has successfully completed modifications and testing on a Boeing 747 jet, which was donated by Qatar for temporary service as Air Force One. The military branch announced late Friday that the aircraft is expected to be ready for President Donald Trump’s use by this summer.
In preparation for its new role, the jet is being painted in patriotic colors—red, white, and blue, according to an Air Force news release.
The donation of the luxury jet was accepted by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth last year, despite ongoing debates about the ethics and legality of accepting such an expensive gift from a foreign nation. Concerns have also been raised regarding security and cyber intelligence. President Trump has justified the acquisition as a cost-saving measure for taxpayers.
President Trump has made it clear that he does not intend to use the aircraft after his presidency. Instead, he plans for the plane to be donated to a future presidential library, mirroring the fate of the Boeing 707 used by President Ronald Reagan, which was retired and transformed into a museum exhibit.
Air Force officials have stated that the former Qatari jet will act as a temporary solution, or “bridge,” until Boeing can deliver two new aircraft, which is anticipated to occur in 2028.
The current aircraft serving as Air Force One have been operational for nearly 40 years, and President Trump is eager to see them replaced. During his first term, he even showcased a model of a prospective new jumbo jet in the Oval Office, featuring a new paint design that reflects the red, white, and dark blue color scheme of his personal aircraft.
Boeing has been retrofitting 747s originally built for a now-defunct Russian airliner. But the program has faced nearly a decade of delays from a series of issues, including a critical subcontractor’s bankruptcy and the difficulty of finding and retaining qualified staff who could be awarded high-level security clearances.
The new planes aren’t due to be finished until near the end of Trump’s term, and he’s out of patience. He has described the situation as “a total mess,” and he has complained that Air Force One isn’t as nice as the planes flown by some Arab leaders.
The $400 million Qatari plane has been described as a “palace in the sky,” complete with luxurious accommodations and top-of-the-line finishes.
But security is the primary concern when it comes to presidential travel. The current Air Force One planes were built from scratch near the end of the Cold War. They are hardened against the effects of a nuclear blast and include a range of security features, such as anti-missile countermeasures and an onboard operating room. They are also equipped with air-to-air refueling capabilities for contingencies, though they have never been used with a president on board.
It is not clear which capabilities were added to the former Qatari jet. The Air Force did not reveal the cost of the modifications, but lawmakers suggested last year that they could top $1 billion.
Air Force officials said they leased a 747-8 freighter from Atlas Air between October and February so pilots could get familiar with the latest variant. The U.S. has also purchased two jets from the German carrier Lufthansa for training and spare parts. Boeing stopped building 747s in 2023.
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