The United States Department of Defense has officially accepted a Boeing 747 luxury jet from Qatar, a move confirmed on Wednesday. This aircraft is earmarked for potential use as Air Force One for President Donald Trump, following significant modifications.
“The secretary of defense has accepted a Boeing 747 from Qatar in accordance with all federal rules and regulations,” stated Sean Parnell, chief Pentagon spokesman, in a statement reported by ABC News.
This development comes as the two Boeing 747s currently serving as Air Force One, which entered service in the early 1990s, are aging. Efforts by Boeing to replace these iconic aircraft with new 747-8s have been plagued by years of delays, a point of frustration for the administration.
The Qatari jet is seen as a temporary solution while Boeing continues work on the bespoke replacements.
The Qatari aircraft, described in some reports as a “flying palace,” has been a topic of discussion for some time. ABC News was first to report early this month that the Trump administration was poised to accept the Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet as a gift from Qatar’s royal family.
Sources familiar with the proposed arrangement further indicated to the outlet that the Department of Defense (DOD) plans to make the aircraft available for Trump’s use, with ownership potentially transferring to the Donald J. Trump Presidential Library Foundation after he leaves office.
The U.S. Air Force will spearhead the necessary modifications to ensure the aircraft meets stringent security and operational standards for presidential transport.
“The Department of Defense will work to ensure proper security measures and functional-mission requirements are considered for an aircraft used to transport the president of the United States,” Parnell added.
Confirming this, Air Force Secretary Troy Meink stated the Air Force is “postured to do that,” and an Air Force spokesperson told CNN that details related to the modification contract are classified.
However, the acquisition has not been without controversy. The New York Times reported that Qatar had been trying to sell the luxury jet for years. Furthermore, CNN’s reporting suggests it was the Trump administration that initially approached Qatar about acquiring the plane after learning new Boeing-built Air Force Ones would be delayed, challenging the narrative of an unsolicited gift.
This characterization as a “GIFT, FREE OF CHARGE” by President Trump has drawn criticism from Democratic lawmakers, who have raised ethical questions. As reported by ABC News, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer condemned the acceptance, calling it “the largest bribe from a foreign government in American history” and a “stain on the office of the presidency.”
President Trump, however, defended the deal. “They’re giving the United States Air Force a jet, OK? And it’s a great thing,” he stated, emphasizing the jet was donated to the DOD, not him personally.
Echoing a similar sentiment, Qatar’s prime minister, quoted by CNN, described the transaction as a “Ministry of Defense to the Department of Defense transaction that is done in full transparency and very legally.”
Retrofitting a commercial or VIP aircraft to meet Air Force One’s unique requirements is a monumental task. Current and former officials, speaking to CNN, estimate it could take years and cost significantly.
The New York Times noted expert estimations that the retrofit could cost at least $1 billion and also take years, possibly beyond 2027, while ABC News previously cited aviation industry sources estimating the aircraft’s current value between $200 million and $400 million.
Meanwhile, progress on the new, purpose-built Air Force One 747-8s continues. A senior Air Force official indicated to ABC News earlier in May that Boeing might expedite their delivery to 2027, a year or two ahead of previous estimates. The timeline for making the Qatari jet ready for presidential service remains unclear.
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