WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump on Friday unveiled a newly modified Boeing 747-8 aircraft donated by Qatar, describing it as a “flying White House” that will temporarily serve as Air Force One.
The luxury jumbo jet, valued at an estimated $400 million, was gifted by the Qatari government to the United States last year and has since undergone extensive modifications by the US military.
Speaking at Joint Base Andrews, Trump praised the aircraft’s design and craftsmanship.
NEW AIR FORCE ONE! ✈️🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/8DcY6ZErsy
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 19, 2026
“This plane was transformed into a flying White House at a level of luxury that nobody’s ever seen before,” Trump said in a speech at Joint Base Andrews on Friday.
Extensive Modifications
According to the US Air Force, the aircraft received major upgrades to security systems, mission communications, logistics support and advanced technologies required for presidential travel.
The military said any potential threats associated with the previously owned aircraft had been “neutralised”.
.@POTUS: I want to thank especially the 250 people who worked 24/7 to prepare this plane for service — including many airmen here at Joint Base Andrews. 🇺🇸 https://t.co/cff9LWNE4W pic.twitter.com/YywqCHpnRy
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) June 19, 2026
While the interior underwent only limited changes, the exterior was repainted in red, white, blue and gold.
The aircraft will now undergo initial commissioning flights, described by the Air Force as a final test phase before it begins transporting the president.
Controversy Over the Gift
The Boeing 747-8 was donated by Qatar’s ruling family to the US Department of Defence in May 2025 for use in the Air Force One fleet.
The gift sparked criticism from Democrats and Republicans alike, with opponents arguing that accepting such a high-value donation could create a conflict of interest and potentially violate constitutional provisions governing gifts to public officials.
Federal law generally limits the value of gifts accepted by U.S. officials to $480.
However, the White House has maintained that the Department of Defence legally accepted the aircraft and has pledged that it will be transferred to Trump’s presidential library after he leaves office.
During Friday’s unveiling, Trump expressed admiration for the aircraft’s construction.
“The workmanship of this plane is when you see it, you won’t believe it,” he said.
“Actually, the quality of woods, the quality of the materials, the quality of the engines — these engines are the finest, they’re the best in the world, nothing like it.”
“It’s really an honour,” he added. “And I want to thank the Emir of Qatar.”
Interim Replacement
Before the addition of the Qatari aircraft, the Air Force One fleet relied primarily on two Boeing 747-200B aircraft that had been in service since 1990.
One of those ageing aircraft appears to have been retired, with White House Communications Director Steven Cheung posting a farewell message alongside a photograph of the plane.
The Air Force said the new aircraft will serve on an interim basis until Boeing delivers two delayed VC-25B presidential aircraft intended to become the long-term replacement fleet.
