Boeing 747-8 donated by Qatar could enter service as the United States’ presidential aircraft, Air Force One, this summer in the Northern Hemisphere. This information was reported by the special aviation site The Aviationist.
According to the publication, the jet is seen as a temporary solution while the new VC-25B presidential aircraft program—aimed at replacing the current VC-25A—moves forward. The United States Air Force officially received the ex-Qatar aircraft in May 2025, with modifications starting in September of the same year. If operations begin this summer, the full conversion cycle will take less than a year—a much shorter time frame than the historical standard for presidential aircraft, which typically takes years.
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The conversion process is in practice an in-depth reconstruction of the aircraft. This includes the installation of self-defense systems, secure communications, specialized command and control equipment, and other critical components necessary for the presidential mission.
United States President Donald Trump, currently serving his second term, has repeatedly criticized the condition of the existing fleet. Two extensively modified Boeing 747-200Bs operating as VC-25As have been in service since 1990, and their advanced age makes maintenance increasingly complex.
On the other hand, Boeing has not succeeded in delivering a definitive successor. The VC-25B, originally scheduled to enter service in 2024, is now only expected to enter service in 2028. This delay is said to be one of the determining factors in the acceptance of the Qatari aircraft—a move considered unprecedented in US presidential aviation.
However, this decision was not free from controversy. Critics raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest, especially after unconfirmed reports that the plane could be transferred to Trump after his term ends. Security issues have also been at the center of the debate, with particular attention paid to the espionage risks associated with the use of platforms that originate overseas.
According to unofficial assessments, the new interim VC-25 will likely be used primarily for domestic flights, while the existing VC-25A will continue to handle international missions.
Despite widespread public debate, the technical details of the conversion remained secret. The United States Air Force declined to disclose information about any specific modifications or relaxation of requirements that might be implemented to expedite the aircraft’s entry into service.
By 2025, US Air Force Secretary Troy Maink stated that the total cost of modifying Qatar’s 747-8s would be under US$ 400 million—much lower than initial estimates of close to US$ 1 billion. According to him, funding will come from unused funds from the LGM-35A Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile program.
Sources and pictures: The Aviationist | United States Air Force. This content is created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
