Air Force One – Trump Uses Former Qatari Jet During Boeing Delays
Air Force One – US President Donald Trump has begun using a Boeing 747-8 previously owned by Qatar’s royal family as an interim presidential aircraft, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal. The aircraft is being used while Boeing completes the next generation of Air Force One planes, a programme that has faced repeated delays.
Temporary aircraft fills gap in presidential fleet
The former Qatari aircraft is operating as a temporary VC-25B aircraft, providing a bridge between the ageing presidential fleet and the new aircraft ordered for the US Air Force. The existing Air Force One planes have been in service for decades and are nearing the end of their operational life.
Trump had pushed for their replacement during his first term. In 2017, his administration approved an order for two Boeing 747-8 aircraft that were intended to become the next Air Force One fleet. However, delays in production and modifications have pushed back the programme’s schedule.
The first of the new presidential planes is now expected to be delivered in mid-2028, only months before Trump’s current term is due to end, the report said.
Qatar-owned Boeing 747 transferred to US government
As the Air Force looked for a suitable aircraft to cover the gap, officials identified a VIP-configured Boeing 747-8 owned by Qatar’s ruling family. Trump later inspected the aircraft in Palm Beach, Florida.
According to the report, Trump had initially asked whether Qatar’s emir would allow the United States to use the aircraft temporarily. Instead, the emir offered the plane as a gift to the US government. Ownership of the aircraft was formally transferred to the Air Force in spring 2025.
The aircraft was estimated to be worth about USD 400 million at the time of the transfer. Its acceptance prompted criticism from lawmakers and commentators across party lines, with concerns raised about the implications of receiving such a valuable asset from a foreign government.
Security modifications add to taxpayer costs
The Boeing 747 required extensive upgrades before it could be used for presidential travel. The Wall Street Journal reported that military modifications have cost about USD 400 million, funded by US taxpayers.
The work reportedly includes secure communications systems, protective equipment and other classified features required for a presidential aircraft. Such upgrades are necessary to ensure that the president can maintain secure contact with government and military officials during domestic and international travel.
The total cost of the aircraft and its conversion has renewed debate over government spending and the handling of foreign gifts. Supporters have argued that the aircraft provides a practical solution while Boeing completes the delayed replacement fleet. Critics have questioned whether the arrangement creates ethical or diplomatic concerns.
Miami library plan faces practical challenges
Trump is expected to continue using the converted Boeing 747 until Boeing delivers the new Air Force One aircraft. The report said the plane could later become a central exhibit at Trump’s planned presidential library in downtown Miami.
The proposed display would follow a model used by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California, where a retired Air Force One aircraft is open to visitors. However, moving and preserving a large aircraft in an urban setting could involve substantial planning, security reviews and construction costs.
Any decision to place the aircraft at a future presidential library would also require coordination between federal agencies, library planners and local authorities. The aircraft’s history, military upgrades and size are likely to make the project more complicated than a standard museum installation.