VC-25B Unveiled: Former Qatari 747 Becomes Temporary "Flying White House"
The U.S. Air Force has completed modifications on a Boeing 747 donated by the government of Qatar, officially unveiled as the new temporary presidential aircraft, designated VC-25B, at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on June 20, 2026. The aircraft is intended to serve as a "bridge" until two newly built Boeing 747s are delivered, currently expected in 2027 and 2028.
Event Overview
President Donald Trump presented the former Qatari jet at a hangar at Joint Base Andrews. The aircraft arrived at the base ahead of schedule and will undergo commissioning flights, described by the Air Force as a "final exam," before being commissioned into the active executive airlift fleet.
Aircraft Specifications and Design
The aircraft is a former Qatari-owned Boeing 747 that was converted into the presidential plane. Key design features include:
- A navy blue underside with a red stripe, replacing the traditional robin's egg blue (Kennedy-era) exterior
- The presidential seal on the left side
- A large American flag on the tail
- A red, white, dark blue, and gold livery
President Trump stated the plane was "transformed into a flying White House at a level of luxury that nobody has ever seen before."
The interior layout from the previous head of state was largely retained, including a framed print of a duck swimming in the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool.
The color scheme differs from the lighter blue of previous models. Trump initially directed a similar design during his first term; former President Biden reversed it in March 2023, but Trump reinstated it upon returning to office. Other government jets carrying top officials will reportedly use a similar red, white, and navy color scheme.
Background and Acceptance
The Qatari government offered the aircraft to the United States. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth accepted the jet last year. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell stated the Secretary of Defense accepted the Boeing 747 from Qatar in accordance with federal rules.
The gift drew bipartisan criticism over ethical, legal, security, and cyber intelligence concerns. Critics noted the $400 million valuation exceeds the $50 limit for unsolicited gifts from a single source in a calendar year. Industry groups estimated the plane's value at approximately $400 million.
President Trump defended the acceptance, stating it would be "stupid" to turn down the offer. He thanked the Emir of Qatar, calling him "a fantastic guy."
Costs and Modifications
The Air Force confirmed the plane underwent modifications to meet security requirements. The Air Force stated these modifications cost under $400 million. Other estimates, including from lawmakers, suggested total costs including security upgrades could exceed $1 billion.
The conversion cost has prompted criticism that it could divert funds from other programs, including the Sentinel ICBM modernization program.
The Air Force leased a Boeing 747-8 freighter for pilot training and purchased two jets from Lufthansa for training and spare parts. Boeing stopped building 747s in 2023.
Usage and Timeline
President Trump announced he will take the new jet to the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, next month and indicated a return to China for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in November. The aircraft is scheduled to lead a military flyover on July 4 in Washington, D.C., marking the 250th anniversary of the United States.
Trump stated the jet will not be used by him after his term ends and suggested it would be donated to a future presidential library, similar to the Boeing 707 used by former President Ronald Reagan.
Bridge Aircraft Role
Air Force officials confirmed the former Qatari jet will serve as a bridge until Boeing delivers two new VC-25B aircraft. The delivery timeline has shifted: originally estimated for 2024, then delayed to 2028, with an interim target of 2027 after modifying requirements.
Air Force Secretary Troy Meink stated the safety of the commander in chief is the highest priority and that they evaluated every requirement to accelerate delivery while maintaining presidential mission standards.
Fleet Status
The two existing VC-25A aircraft, which entered service in 1990, will remain in the fleet until the new VC-25B aircraft are delivered. An Air Force spokesperson stated the Presidential Airlift Group will select the appropriate aircraft based on mission requirements.
One of the aging VC-25A planes recently turned back from a trip to Davos, Switzerland, due to a "minor electrical issue." The tail number 29000, a Boeing 747-200 that transported Trump from Europe, is being retired to a museum; tail number 28000 will continue flying with the VC-25B until the new jets arrive.
Operational Costs
A 747 costs $180,000 to $200,000 per flight hour, compared to $12,000 to $16,500 per hour for Trump's Boeing 757.