U.S. Air Force Receives Qatar-Gifted Interim Air Force One

U.S. Air Force Receives Qatar-Gifted Interim Air Force One

Politics Security

The U. S. Air Force unveiled a Qatar-donated Boeing 747-8 converted into an interim Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews. CBS News reported that the $400 million aircraft would undergo commissioning flights before entering service.

NBC News added that President Donald Trump formally introduced the jet ahead of a July 4 flyover and said it would later be transferred to his presidential library foundation. The Guardian noted that the conversion cost about $1 billion and that the plane would serve as a temporary replacement while Boeing’s next-generation VC-25Bs remain delayed. The War Zone said L3Harris completed the conversion within ten months, delivering a bridge aircraft for the presidential fleet.

Actors

U.S. Air Force Qatar

Locations

Joint Base Andrews

Articles

June 22, 2026
1 total
L3Harris Converts Qatar-Gifted 747-8i into Interim Air Force One in Ten Months
L3Harris Converts Qatar-Gifted 747-8i into Interim Air Force One in Ten Months

The War Zone • 22 Jun 22:10

L3Harris completed the conversion of a Qatari-donated Boeing 747-8i into a VC-25B presidential transport within a ten-month schedule, providing a bridge aircraft while Boeing’s new VC-25Bs are delayed.

Credibility 55% Manip. 35% Center
June 19, 2026
4 total
Trump receives Qatar-gifted Boeing 747 as interim Air Force One
Trump receives Qatar-gifted Boeing 747 as interim Air Force One

The Guardian • 19 Jun 23:07

A Qatar-donated Boeing 747, converted at a cost of about $1 billion, has been unveiled as a temporary replacement for the aging Air Force One fleet, while the next-generation jets face delays.

Credibility 71% Manip. 38% Center
Qatar-gifted Boeing 747 Arrives Early at Andrews Air Base
Qatar-gifted Boeing 747 Arrives Early at Andrews Air Base

NPR • 19 Jun 21:01

A Boeing 747 donated by Qatar and intended as a temporary Air Force One arrived at Joint Base Andrews ahead of schedule, and the Air Force will begin commissioning flights.

Credibility 78% Manip. 32% Center
Trump unveils Qatar-gifted Air Force One jet ahead of July 4 flyover
Trump unveils Qatar-gifted Air Force One jet ahead of July 4 flyover

NBC News • 19 Jun 20:37

President Donald Trump formally introduced a newly refurbished Boeing 747, provided by Qatar, which will lead a Independence Day flyover and later be transferred to his presidential library foundation.

Credibility 78% Manip. 10% Center
New Air Force One Unveiled, Gifted by Qatar
New Air Force One Unveiled, Gifted by Qatar

CBS News • 19 Jun 19:00

The U.S. Air Force has unveiled the new Air Force One, a Boeing 747-8 valued at $400 million, which was gifted by the Qatari government. The aircraft will undergo commissioning flights before it officially enters service.

Credibility 77% Manip. 10% Center

Related events