President Donald Trump took his first flight on a newly retrofitted Air Force One on Wednesday, July 1, 2026 [2].
The aircraft serves as a critical bridge for presidential transport. The Boeing 747 will provide temporary service until new jets are delivered between 2027 and 2028 [3].
The flight departed from Maryland and traveled to North Dakota, where the president attended the dedication of a museum honoring Theodore Roosevelt [1]. The aircraft was donated by the Qatari royal family [4].
Refurbishing the jet to meet U.S. presidential standards cost $400 million [1]. An Air Force spokesperson said, "The painting is complete" [5].
Trump praised the aircraft during the trip. He said it was "the best plane ever built" [6].
The use of the retrofitted jet marks the first time the president has utilized the gift from Qatar for official travel. The aircraft's deployment ensures the continuity of secure transport for the executive branch while the permanent fleet is modernized.
“"the best plane ever built"”
The deployment of a refurbished gift from the Qatari royal family to serve as Air Force One highlights a temporary gap in the U.S. military's strategic airlift capabilities. By utilizing a $400 million retrofitted Boeing 747, the administration avoids a transport vacuum until the next generation of presidential aircraft arrives in 2027 or 2028, while simultaneously signaling a diplomatic tie with Qatar.
