Air Force Unveils $400 Million Qatar-Gifted 747-8 as New Air Force One Begins Commissioning Flights
Updated
Updated · CBS New York · Jun 19
Air Force Unveils $400 Million Qatar-Gifted 747-8 as New Air Force One Begins Commissioning Flights
3 articles · Updated · CBS New York · Jun 19
Summary
$400 million Boeing 747-8 gifted by Qatar was unveiled at Joint Base Andrews on Friday and will start commissioning flights before carrying the president.
The Air Force said the jet has received final government modifications, a new red-white-and-blue livery and advanced security systems, while keeping the interior largely unchanged to speed operational readiness.
The aircraft is replacing the military-grade 747-2 that has flown presidents for more than 30 years; Trump returned from Europe on the older plane on Thursday as staff posted farewells online.
Last year, the Air Force leased one 747-8 for pilot and maintenance training, bought a former Lufthansa 747-8 and funded a full interior mock-up ahead of the Qatari jet's arrival.
Trump has dismissed conflict-of-interest and security criticism, saying the jet will serve until Boeing delivers a new presidential fleet in 2028, while the retired aircraft will shift to executive airlift duties.