Trump Opts for Old Air Force One, Weeks After Unveiling Qatari Gift

In a surprising move, U.S. President Donald Trump announced he would travel from Turkey to Great Britain aboard the older Air Force One. This decision was made just weeks after the unveiling of a new Boeing 747 presidential aircraft, a gift from Qatar that had been extensively modified.

Trump explained his choice on the social media platform Truth Social, stating his preference for the older plane "for old times' sake." The new aircraft, meanwhile, will fly to the same British base, RAF Mildenhall, where it will be available for American military personnel stationed there to visit. This new plane had been repainted in Trump's signature colors, red, white, dark blue, and gold, departing from the traditional Air Force One design.

The acceptance and subsequent modification of the aircraft gifted by Qatar have been a source of significant controversy in the United States. Experts pointed out the complex upgrades required to transform a luxury jet into a presidential aircraft, including secure communication systems and missile protection. Democratic lawmakers estimated the cost of these adaptations exceeded one billion dollars and raised questions about security, given the rapid pace of the modifications.

American officials, however, maintain that the new Boeing 747 meets all necessary standards for presidential transport. This aircraft is serving as a temporary solution until the two Boeing 747-8 presidential planes, ordered in 2018, are delivered. The original program, initially valued at $3.9 billion, is experiencing a delay of approximately four years, with deliveries now expected in mid-2028.