The U.S. Air Force has completed upgrades and testing on a Boeing 747-8 aircraft previously donated by Qatar and plans to deploy the jet as a temporary Air Force One for President Donald Trump beginning this summer, according to officials.
In a statement released late Friday, the Air Force said the aircraft is now being repainted in a red, white, and blue color scheme to reflect its new role. The jet is expected to serve as an interim platform while the military awaits delivery of two newly built presidential aircraft from Boeing, now projected for 2028.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth formally accepted the aircraft from Qatar about a year ago, a move that prompted scrutiny from ethics experts and lawmakers. Critics raised concerns about the acceptance of a high-value foreign gift and potential security or intelligence risks tied to the aircraft’s origins. Trump has rejected those criticisms, arguing that the donation represents cost savings for U.S. taxpayers.
The president has said he does not plan to use the aircraft after leaving office and intends instead to transfer it to a future presidential library for public display, noted NPR. That approach mirrors the handling of the Boeing 707 used during the administration of Ronald Reagan.
The current Air Force One fleet, which has been in service for nearly four decades, has increasingly shown signs of age. Trump has repeatedly emphasized the need to modernize the presidential airlift program. During his first term, he unveiled a model of a redesigned aircraft featuring a paint scheme similar to that used on his personal planes. He has described delays in the replacement program as “a total mess” and argued that existing aircraft lack the level of luxury seen on planes operated by some Middle Eastern leaders.
Efforts by Boeing to deliver next-generation presidential aircraft have faced repeated delays. The program has been hindered by the bankruptcy of a key subcontractor and difficulties recruiting and securing personnel with the necessary security clearances. The company has been converting 747 aircraft originally built for a now-defunct Russian airline, but the timeline has slipped by nearly a decade beyond initial projections.
The Qatari-donated jet, estimated to be worth about $400 million, has been described as exceptionally high-end, with some referring to it as a “palace in the sky” due to its luxury interiors and amenities. Still, questions remain about how extensively the aircraft has been modified to meet the stringent requirements for presidential transport.
Traditional Air Force One aircraft are purpose-built with specialized defensive systems, including protection against nuclear effects, anti-missile countermeasures, onboard medical capabilities, and the ability to refuel in flight. The Air Force has not disclosed details about the specific upgrades made to the former Qatari plane or the total cost of those modifications. Some members of Congress estimated last year that the conversion could exceed $1 billion.
To support the transition, the Air Force has taken steps to prepare flight crews for the new platform. The service leased a 747-8 freighter from Atlas Air for several months through February and acquired two additional 747 aircraft from Lufthansa for training and spare parts.
