President Donald Trump unveiled a heavily modified former Qatari royal jet as a temporary Air Force One on Friday at Joint Base Andrews, showcasing a luxurious interior and a new dark navy, red, and American flag livery. The aircraft, a Boeing 747-8 valued at around $400 million, will fill the gap until Boeing's long-delayed replacement fleet enters service, now expected no earlier than 2028.
Unveiling at Joint Base Andrews
Trump invited reporters aboard the jet, which was converted in less than a year, a timeline a Marine Corps general called unprecedented. 'There will never be one like this,' Trump said. 'This is considered the world's most luxurious plane.' The president acknowledged delays in the official Air Force One replacement programme, stating, 'We were in a little bit of a logjam.'
Interior and Design
The interior features leather seating, polished wood, gold-coloured details, and large tables for meetings. A conference room has a square table, leather chairs, and a giant television. Patriotic artwork, including a duck gliding across the Reflecting Pool, adorns the cabin. The press cabin is noticeably larger than on the current Air Force One, with wide leather seats and lay-flat seats available, though reporters did not test them. The front section remained off-limits, but an executive-style suite was visible from a distance.
Cost and Performance
The secretary of the Air Force said modifying the gifted aircraft would likely cost less than $400 million. Trump praised the jet's quality, calling it a 'flying White House.' Pilots reportedly expressed enthusiasm about its handling. 'When we land at airports in London and in Germany and different places, nobody tops this one,' Trump said.
First International Appearance
The aircraft is expected to make its first international trip to next month's NATO summit in Turkey, followed by Independence Day celebrations in the US. Until Boeing delivers the replacement fleet, this former royal jet will carry the presidential seal worldwide.
