The Boeing 747 jet gifted to the United States by Qatar last year for use as a temporary Air Force One will be ready for service by this summer, the US Air Force has confirmed. The aircraft has completed modification and flight testing and is currently being painted in a new red, white and blue livery.
The jet has been controversial since the US government accepted it in May 2025, with critics citing national security risks, constitutional concerns over foreign gifts to the president, and ethical issues given Qatar's support for groups including Hamas. The retrofitting process involved a reported $400 million overhaul, including installation of top-secret communications equipment and searches for spy technology.
The military focused on security and technical modifications while largely preserving the lavish interior from the plane's Qatari days, including plush couches, faux library bookcases, and oversize leather seats, though Arabic-language signs were removed. General Dale White, the Air Force official managing the overhaul, noted that the interior condition remains largely unchanged, with a different level of detail compared to US utility-focused aircraft.
President Trump selected the jet's exterior design but did not instruct the Air Force on interior changes. The plane will have fewer refrigerators than existing Air Force One models and no dedicated press cabin, instead using a thick curtain to separate media from officials. After Trump leaves office, the jet is expected to be transferred to his presidential library foundation in Miami.
