President Donald Trump took his first flight on a newly refurbished Boeing 747-8 jet serving as Air Force One on Wednesday. The aircraft, donated to the United States by the government of Qatar, replaces the previous Air Force One, a Boeing 747-200 model that had been in service since the presidency of George H.W. Bush.

The jet underwent an extensive $400 million overhaul to equip it with advanced security features and communications technology suitable for the president’s use. The modifications included installing secure voice and video communication systems intended to enable the president to conduct official business while airborne. The interior largely retains its original luxury features from its prior service as a private plane for the Qatari royal family, with adjustments such as removing Arabic-language exit signs and replacing original artwork with patriotic American decor, including a photograph of a duck swimming in the Reflecting Pool. However, the press cabin was expanded to offer more space, and senior White House and security staff have a separate nearby sitting area.

The plane features a striking new paint scheme combining red, white, navy blue, and gold, a departure from the traditional white and baby blue colors of its predecessor. The design reflects Trump’s preference and bears some resemblance to the color scheme of his personal jets.

Trump flew to North Dakota on Wednesday in the aircraft for the dedication of Theodore Roosevelt’s presidential library, marking its first official mission. Before takeoff, he praised the plane as “maybe the greatest commercial plane ever built” and expressed pride in its appearance and capabilities. Trump also acknowledged the criticisms surrounding the donation and maintenance of the aircraft, including concerns raised by some Democrats and Republicans about the ethics and security implications of accepting such a gift from a foreign government. He dismissed those concerns, emphasizing that the jet was appropriately outfitted for presidential duties and cost taxpayers less than alternative options.

The Qatari aircraft was transferred to U.S. Air Force ownership in spring 2025 after Trump toured it the previous year. It was then sent to a Texas facility operated by L3Harris Technologies for the upgrades. The Air Force emphasized that the plane is “safe, secure, and equipped with the most advanced technologies necessary to meet the requirements of the presidential mission,” prioritizing operational functionality over aesthetics during the retrofit.

This interim aircraft will be used until two new presidential Boeing 747-8 aircraft, selected in 2017 but delayed repeatedly, are delivered. Those planes, part of a long-planned modernization effort, are not expected to enter service until around mid-2028. Due to Boeing’s discontinuation of the 747 line in 2023, the Air Force sought existing 747-8 aircraft on the secondary market, finding limited options and ultimately accepting the Qatari jet.

To accommodate the larger 747-8 aircraft, the Air Force constructed a new $320 million hangar complex at Joint Base Andrews, capable of housing the aircraft and supporting its maintenance.

The introduction of the Qatari-donated Air Force One marks a notable development in presidential transportation, both for its origin and for addressing the interim need for a modernized jet while the official replacements remain under production.