US Air Force to Use Donated Qatari Boeing 747 as Temporary Air Force One

The U.S. Air Force has completed modifications and testing on a Boeing 747 jet donated by Qatar, which is expected to be ready for President Donald Trump's use this summer as a temporary Air Force One.

The service announced the completion of the work late Friday, stating the jet is currently being painted in red, white, and blue colors.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth accepted the luxury jet a year ago. This acceptance occurred despite questions surrounding the ethics and legality of receiving an expensive gift from a foreign nation, as well as concerns about security and cyber intelligence. President Trump has defended the donation, asserting it is a cost-saving measure for taxpayers.

President Trump has indicated he will not use the aircraft after his term concludes. Instead, he plans for the plane to be donated to a future presidential library, similar to the de-commissioning and museum display of the Boeing 707 used by President Ronald Reagan.

Air Force officials stated that the former Qatari jet will function as a "bridge" until Boeing delivers a pair of new aircraft, a process now anticipated in 2028.

The two current aircraft serving as Air Force One have been in operation for nearly four decades, and President Trump has expressed a strong desire for their replacement. During his first term, he had previously displayed a model of a new jumbo jet in the Oval Office, featuring a revised paint scheme that mirrored the design of his personal plane.

Boeing has been retrofitting 747s that were originally built for a now-defunct Russian airline. However, this program has encountered nearly a decade of delays stemming from various issues, including the bankruptcy of a critical subcontractor and difficulties in recruiting and retaining qualified staff requiring high-level security clearances.

With the new planes not scheduled for completion until near the end of President Trump's term, he has expressed impatience, describing the situation as "a total mess." He has also voiced dissatisfaction that Air Force One is not as luxurious as the aircraft used by some Arab leaders.

The Qatari plane, valued at $400 million, has been described as a "palace in the sky," featuring opulent accommodations and high-end finishes.

However, security remains the paramount consideration for presidential travel. The current Air Force One planes were constructed from the ground up near the end of the Cold War. They are fortified against the effects of a nuclear blast and equipped with extensive security features, including anti-missile countermeasures and an onboard operating room. They also possess air-to-air refueling capabilities for contingencies, though these have never been utilized with a president aboard.

It remains unclear which specific security capabilities have been incorporated into the former Qatari jet. The Air Force has not disclosed the cost of the modifications, but lawmakers suggested last year that these costs could exceed $1 billion.

Air Force officials reported that they leased a 747-8 freighter from Atlas Air between October and February to allow pilots to become familiar with the latest variant. Additionally, the U.S. has acquired two jets from the German carrier Lufthansa for training purposes and spare parts. Boeing ceased production of the 747 model in 2023.