President Donald Trump is set to take his first flight on the Qatari-gifted Boeing 747-8 next week. This plane was gifted to the US by the Qatari Government, and since then has had a nose-to-tail refurbishment to meet the strict criteria that are required for presidential aircraft. The President will travel to North Dakota on Wednesday, where he will take the trip aboard the 747-8.
When in North Dakota, Trump will attend a dedication ceremony at the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in the city. This is one of multiple events Trump will be attending to celebrate the United States 250th anniversary on July 4. While in the region, Trump will also attend a fireworks display at Mount Rushmore.
With this 747-8 set to replace the 747-200s, Trump marked the last president to fly on the older aircraft, and the new plane’s inaugural service to North Dakota will be part of a range of activities the new plane will be displayed on, including leading a flyover over the US Capitol on July 4. This display will include the new Air Force One, alongside other military planes.
The 747-200, which will no longer be the primary aircraft of choice for the president, made its final flight when it brought the U.S President back from the G7 in Europe. This event occured in France on June 16 and 17.
Trump unveiled the new plane at Joint Base Andrews Air Base in Maryland last week. The plane is designed in a beautiful red, white, and blue livery, which is a modern change from the lighter blue that previously adorned the older planes. It also features the American flag on the aircraft’s tail. Trump has noted:
“Nobody tops this one, and that’s the way we have to have it for our country. Nobody even comes close.”
Replacing the older 747-200 (as pictured above), Trump has commented that the new plane will be the ‘largest and greatest in every aspect’. And it will remain a flying White House in the sky and sit at a level of luxury that no President has seen or flown before. The 747-8 gifted from Qatar, is labeled the VC-25B Bridge, and will now serve in a temporary role until a fleet of new 747-8 jets is ready for official travel in two years.
The President has continually had to defend the gift from Qatar last year, which many critics, as per the Washington Times, have criticised that this move has several ethical and national security concerns. It remains one of the largest foreign gifts ever received by the United States government. However, Trump has argued that it would be a ‘foolish’ move to turn down such an aircraft amid a number of Boeing delivery delays.
Boeing had initially planned to deliver new aircraft to the US in 2024; this is now expected to be pushed back to the middle of 2028. The jet from Qatar is worth around US $400 million, and the U.S. Government has since spent around $1 billion on its required refurbishment and security upgrades.
Using data from ch-aviation, identifies that the plane has had a prestigious history, initially being operated by Qatar Amiri Flight, a VVIP air transport operator that is wholly owned and operated by the government of Qatar. It specialises in on-demand charter flights for VIP guests.
The plane took its first flight back on March 31, 2012, before delivery to Qatar Amiri Flight on April 25, 2012. It operated there for over a decade under registration A7-HBJ, before being transferred to Global Jet Isle of Man on December 6, 2023, under registration P4-HBD. From there, it was then gifted to the US Air Force, and bore registration N7478D, and then, as its refurbishment took place for it to become Air Force One, it now carries registration 25-3300. Further details below:
The plane has been accepted as a temporary bridge aircraft as the President awaits delays for a replacement aircraft ordered from Boeing. Trump has argued that there has been no cost to taxpayers by accepting the plane, and saved millions instead of leasing or buying a substitute plane while awaiting a new aircraft delivery.
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