Trump to accept luxury Boeing 747 from Qatar for Air Force One
The Trump administration is preparing to accept a Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet from the royal family of Qatar, which will be modified to serve as Air Force One, according to multiple sources familiar with the arrangement.
The aircraft, valued at approximately USD 400 million, would be one of the most significant gifts ever received by the US government from a foreign entity.
The plane, described as a “flying palace” due to its luxurious interior, is expected to be used temporarily as Air Force One until the completion of two new Boeing 747-8s, which are currently under construction but delayed until at least 2027.
The Qatari aircraft, approximately 13 years old, will be transferred to the US Department of Defense and retrofitted with secure communications and other military specifications required for presidential travel.
Sources indicate that after President Donald Trump’s second term concludes in January 2029, the plane will be donated to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation. Trump confirmed the plan in a social media post on May 11, 2025, stating that the Defense Department would receive the aircraft “free of charge” in a “public and transparent transaction.”
The Qatari government, through its media attaché Ali Al-Ansari, acknowledged ongoing discussions between Qatar’s Ministry of Defense and the US Department of Defense regarding the “possible transfer” of the aircraft for temporary use. However, Al-Ansari clarified that no final decision has been made and denied reports that the plane would be gifted during Trump’s visit to Qatar, scheduled as part of his Middle East tour starting May 12, 2025.
The White House and the Department of Justice have reportedly concluded that accepting the plane is legally permissible, as it will be gifted to the US Air Force, not directly to Trump. An analysis by Attorney General Pam Bondi and the White House counsel’s office stated that the transfer does not violate federal laws, as it is not conditioned on any official act.
The current Air Force One fleet consists of two modified Boeing 747-200B aircraft, operational since 1990 and 1991. Boeing’s contract to replace these with new 747-8s, signed during Trump’s first term, has faced significant delays and cost overruns, with the project now over USD2 billion above budget. Trump expressed frustration with these delays earlier this year, noting during a February tour of the Qatari-owned 747 at Palm Beach International Airport that he was exploring alternatives.
The proposed aircraft, previously operated by Qatar Amiri Flight, has a VIP configuration with 89 seats and was transferred to Global Jet in December 2023 under the registration P4-HBJ. L3Harris Technologies has been appointed to overhaul the plane to meet presidential requirements.
The Trump administration has emphasized that any gift from a foreign government will be accepted in compliance with all applicable laws, with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stating, “President Trump’s administration is committed to full transparency.”
No official announcement regarding the plane’s transfer is expected during Trump’s visit to Qatar this week, according to a senior White House official. The arrangement remains under review by the legal departments of both nations.
