Less than a month after its inaugural official flight, President Donald Trump’s newly acquired Air Force One is scheduled to undergo additional security upgrades amid concerns over its defensive capabilities. The aircraft, a Boeing 747-B gifted by Qatar and accepted by Trump in May 2025, began serving as the presidential plane on July 1 following an expedited renovation process.

Trump indicated the plane would be sent for enhancements “to be maxed out,” specifically referencing missile-defense capabilities, though he did not provide detailed information about the specific modifications. Speaking after attending the World Cup final in New Jersey, the president said the upgrade process would take about a month and is expected to commence in the fall.

A White House spokesperson confirmed the plane is safe for presidential travel but will undergo these additional enhancements. During the retrofit period, Trump will revert to using the previous Air Force One model to meet his transportation needs.

The new jet, often referred to as a “palace in the sky,” replaces a Boeing 747-200 that had served six U.S. presidents since its completion in 1990. The updated aircraft is longer by over 18 feet, carries more weight, and boasts improvements in speed and range. However, it is anticipated that this model will remain in service only until 2028.

Concerns about the security of the new Air Force One surfaced shortly after its deployment, particularly amid heightened tensions with Iran. On July 8, Trump unexpectedly opted to use the older Air Force One to travel from Turkey to the Royal Air Force base at Mildenhall in Britain, a decision he described as being “for old time’s sake.” The newer plane subsequently stopped at the same base to allow U.S. personnel stationed there an opportunity to tour the aircraft.

Reports indicated that the U.S. Secret Service had recommended use of the older model due to security considerations, though Trump denied such concerns publicly. He acknowledged the dangers inherent in the presidency, noting, “I’m No. 1 on the kill list for Iran.”

White House Communications Director Steven Cheung characterized the new Air Force One as “a state-of-the-art aircraft” equipped with advanced security protocols to protect the president and his team. Cheung also noted the administration employs a range of tactics, including “distraction and misdirection,” to safeguard against threats posed by adversaries.

Separately, the Department of Justice issued subpoenas to journalists from The New York Times in connection with their reporting on Air Force One security issues, requesting their testimony before a grand jury. The subpoenas, issued on July 10, were related to an alleged violation of federal criminal law and scheduled the journalists to appear on July 15.

The introduction of the new Air Force One marks a notable shift in the presidential fleet, balancing modern enhancements with ongoing concerns about security in an increasingly complex global environment.