President Donald Trump took his first flight on the newly retrofitted Air Force One, a $400 million Boeing 747-8 jet donated by the Qatari royal family, on Wednesday (July 1). The trip took him from Washington to North Dakota, where he is set to visit the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library as its first official visitor ahead of the United States’ 250th anniversary celebrations.
The new jet, dubbed “the world’s most luxurious plane” by President Trump, features a fresh color scheme of navy, red, and gold stripes, swapping out the iconic light blue hull seen on previous Air Force One aircraft. The interior includes plush carpets, lie-flat seats, wood paneling, and presidential seals on seat belts.
The United States Air Force completed security and communications upgrades to the jet, ensuring that all potential threats from its previous ownership were neutralized. The Air Force said the new plane will serve temporarily until Boeing delivers two long-delayed VC-25B jets, now expected in 2027 and 2028.
The Qatari gift, presented in May 2025, drew criticism from both political parties, with some arguing that accepting such a high-value donation could pose a conflict of interest or even be unconstitutional. Federal law typically restricts officials from accepting gifts over $480, but Pentagon and White House officials stated that the plane was accepted in accordance with all federal rules. The administration has pledged that the jet will ultimately be donated to Trump’s presidential library after his term, the Guardian reported.
President Trump defended the decision, saying, “This is a gift from a country that has treated us very well,” and praised the aircraft’s craftsmanship, calling it “maybe the greatest commercial plane ever built.” He also noted that the upgrade was necessary to keep up with other world leaders’ modern jets.
The Air Force One fleet’s older models, in service since 1990, have begun retiring, with one already set for museum display. The new Qatar jet, while luxurious, will only be used on an interim basis due to the anticipated delivery of new, purpose-built aircraft.
Looking ahead,the new jet is expected to feature in a large formation flyover in Washington, D.C., during the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations on Friday (July 4)
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