The U.S. Air Force announced late Friday that it has completed modifications and testing of a Boeing 747 donated by Qatar and expects the aircraft to be ready for President Donald Trump to use this summer. The service said the jet is currently being painted in red, white and blue livery.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth accepted the luxury jet about a year ago amid questions over the ethics and legality of taking an expensive foreign gift, as well as concerns about security and cyber intelligence. Trump has defended the donation as a taxpayer saving and has said he would not keep flying in the plane after leaving office, planning instead to donate it to a future presidential library, similar to how Ronald Reagan’s Boeing 707 was later displayed.
Air Force officials describe the former Qatari 747 as a temporary “bridge” aircraft that will serve until Boeing delivers two new Air Force One planes, now expected around 2028. The current pair of presidential 747s have been in service for nearly forty years, and replacing them has been a priority for Trump. During his first term he publicized a model of a proposed new jumbo jet with a revised red, white and dark blue paint scheme reminiscent of his personal plane.
Boeing’s retrofit program — which uses 747 airframes originally built for a now-defunct Russian carrier — has suffered almost a decade of delays. Problems cited include a critical subcontractor’s bankruptcy and difficulty recruiting and retaining staff with the required high-level security clearances. Those setbacks pushed the delivery schedule far enough that the Qatari donation was sought to fill the gap.
The gifted jet, valued at roughly $400 million, has been portrayed as a “palace in the sky,” featuring luxury accommodations and high-end finishes. But presidential aviation places paramount importance on security. The existing Air Force One fleet was built near the end of the Cold War and is hardened against nuclear threats, equipped with anti-missile countermeasures, an onboard operating room, and the ability to refuel in flight — capabilities intended for contingencies, though midair refueling with a president aboard has never been used.
The Air Force has not disclosed which of those specialized defensive and mission systems were added to the former Qatari plane. Lawmakers estimated last year that modification costs could exceed $1 billion, but the service has not released a final figure.
To prepare flight crews for the type, the Air Force leased a 747-8 freighter from Atlas Air from October through February so pilots could train on that variant. It also purchased two 747s from German carrier Lufthansa for training and spare parts. Boeing ceased 747 production in 2023, making the program and sourcing parts increasingly challenging.
For now, the ex-Qatari 747 will serve as the presidential transport until the new, purpose-modified Boeing aircraft are delivered. The Air Force and administration say the stopgap aircraft will allow continuity of presidential travel while the longer-term replacements are completed.