President Trump flies to North Dakota on newly gifted Air Force One
President Trump traveled to North Dakota aboard the Qatar-gifted Boeing 747-8, the first use of the new Air Force One, before attending a 250th-anniversary ceremony and a visit to the Teddy Roosevelt Presidential Library.
President Donald Trump departed Washington on Wednesday for North Dakota aboard the newly delivered Boeing 747-8 that was presented to the United States by Qatar last year. The aircraft, which replaces the older 747-2 that had served presidents for more than three decades, is expected to remain in service until a new fleet arrives in 2028.
During the trip, Trump is scheduled to take part in a train ride and a welcome ceremony marking America’s 250th anniversary, followed by a stop at the Teddy Roosevelt Presidential Library.
"This will be the first flight of what I think is maybe the greatest commercial plane ever built," the president said at Joint Base Andrews before the departure.
"I'm excited about the first flight. Nobody's ever seen anything like it," Trump added, noting the plane’s security modifications and other features.
The White House said the upgrade cost to taxpayers was minimal compared with alternative options. The Air Force emphasized that operational readiness was prioritized over interior aesthetics, leaving the cabin layout largely unchanged. Photos released by White House Communications Director Steven Cheung showed conference tables, leather seats, glossy wood paneling, and a press cabin equipped with lie-flat seats, massage functions and individual television screens.
Trump contrasted the new aircraft with the older plane, saying the previous 747-2 was over 30 years old and no longer appropriate for the nation’s image.