President Donald Trump departed for North Dakota on Wednesday aboard the newly refurbished Boeing 747-8 gifted by Qatar, marking the aircraft’s first official mission transporting a sitting president.
The flight represents the debut of the new presidential jet in official service as Trump begins a series of appearances tied to celebrations surrounding America’s 250th birthday. The president is traveling first to Medora, North Dakota, where he is scheduled to visit the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library ahead of its public opening on July 4.
During the visit, Trump is expected to tour the sprawling 96,000-square-foot library, a $450 million project honoring the nation’s 26th president. He will also deliver remarks as part of a broader slate of events celebrating the country’s semiquincentennial.
The trip was made at the request of Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, the former governor of North Dakota.
Following his stop in North Dakota, Trump is scheduled to continue his Independence Day travel with a visit to Mount Rushmore in South Dakota on Friday. He will then return to Washington, D.C., to participate in celebrations marking both Independence Day and the nation’s 250th birthday.
The aircraft carrying the president features a distinctive exterior selected by Trump, with a red, white, navy blue and gold paint scheme. The presidential seal is displayed on the left side of the aircraft, while an American flag appears on the tail.
The Boeing 747-8 is intended to serve as a temporary presidential aircraft while the government awaits the delivery of two new Boeing jets. Those aircraft are not expected to be ready for presidential travel until 2028.
Until then, the refurbished plane is expected to function as a bridge between the aging Boeing 747-200 aircraft currently serving as Air Force One and the future fleet that remains under development.
Earlier this month, Trump praised the aircraft while unveiling it, describing it as unlike any other.
“This is considered the world’s most luxurious plane,” the president said. “When it was built, it was built at a level that will probably never be seen again.”
Trump has also confirmed that the aircraft will continue playing a role in upcoming international travel.
The president previously said he intends to use the jet for next month’s NATO summit in Turkey. He also indicated that he expects to fly aboard the aircraft on a future trip to China, though he said that journey would take place “at some point.”
Wednesday’s flight marks the beginning of the aircraft’s official service carrying the commander in chief, as the administration prepares to rely on the refurbished Boeing 747-8 while awaiting the arrival of the next generation of presidential aircraft.
The North Dakota visit also places Trump at the center of events commemorating the nation’s 250th birthday, with appearances planned at the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, a stop at Mount Rushmore, and Independence Day celebrations in Washington over the coming days.
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