Donald Trump’s new Air Force One jet — gifted by Qatar’s royal family — is set to take to the skies this summer. The US Air Force has completed modifying and testing the Boeing 747 which is currently being painted red, white and blue, officials said.
US defence secretary Pete Hegseth accepted the luxury aircraft, valued at around £294 million, last year. It prompted questions around the ethics and legality of accepting an expensive gift from a foreign nation, as well as concerns about security and cyber intelligence. The aircraft, formerly the private plane of the Qatari royal family, has been described as a “palace in the sky”.
It is complete with luxurious accommodations and high-end finishes.
US Air Force officials said the plane will act as a “bridge” until Boeing is ready to deliver a pair of new aircraft, expected in 2028.
The aircraft manufacturer has been retrofitting 747s originally built for a now-defunct Russian airliner, however the programme has faced almost a decade of delays.
The new planes aren’t due to be finished until near the end of Mr Trump’s four-year term.
He has grown impatient about the situation, describing it as “a total mess”.
The president has also complained that the two current Air Force One planes — which have been flying for nearly 40 years — are not as pleasant as the planes flown by some Arab leaders.
The aircraft 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 refuelling 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 around £735 million.
In preparation for the new aircraft, the Air Force leased a 747-8 freighter from Atlas Air between October and February so pilots could get familiar with the latest variant.
The US also purchased two jets from the German carrier Lufthansa for training and spare parts. Boeing stopped production of 747s in 2023.
Mr Trump has defended the gift from Qatar, saying it will save taxpayer money.
He said he will not fly in the aircraft when his term ends, with the plane expected to be donated to a future presidential library — similar to how the Boeing 707 used by President Ronald Reagan was decommissioned and put on display as a museum piece.
