The former Qatari royal jet has been modified for presidential travel as Boeing’s replacement Air Force One aircraft remain years behind schedule.
US President Donald Trump (File Photo: X/@WhiteHouse)
US President Donald Trump has begun travelling aboard a Boeing 747-8 donated by Qatar while the next generation of Air Force One aircraft remains delayed, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.
The aircraft is currently serving as a temporary presidential jet until Boeing delivers two new VC-25B aircraft that were commissioned during Trump’s first term. The project has faced repeated delays, leaving the existing Air Force One fleet in service longer than originally planned.
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According to the report, Trump has sought to modernise the ageing presidential aircraft fleet since 2017, when he ordered two customised Boeing 747-8 jets to replace the existing planes.
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However, the first of those aircraft is now expected to be delivered only by mid-2028, just months before the end of Trump’s current term.
To address the gap, the US Air Force searched for a suitable aircraft capable of transporting the president. The search led to a VIP-configured Boeing 747-8 that had belonged to Qatar’s royal family.
Trump later inspected the aircraft in Palm Beach. The report said he had initially asked whether Qatar’s emir would allow the United States to use the aircraft temporarily. Instead, the emir offered it as a gift to the US government. Ownership was formally transferred to the US Air Force in the spring of 2025.
The report said the aircraft was valued at around USD 400 million when it was donated. The move triggered criticism from both Republicans and Democrats over the ethics of accepting such an expensive gift from a foreign government.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the aircraft has since undergone about USD 400 million worth of military upgrades funded by US taxpayers. These include secure communications systems and defensive capabilities required for presidential travel.
The outlet reported that the former Qatari aircraft is expected to remain Trump’s primary presidential transport until Boeing completes the delayed Air Force One programme.
The report said Trump eventually wants the Boeing 747 to become the centrepiece of his planned presidential library in downtown Miami.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the proposal is intended to mirror the retired Air Force One display at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California.
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