For years, America has been waiting for a new Air Force One. For years, Boeing has been working on it… So on Friday, Donald Trump unveiled something entirely different instead.
The US president invited reporters aboard a former Qatari royal jet that’s been transformed into a temporary Air Force One while the official replacement program remains stuck on the runway.
The aircraft, a Boeing 747-8, has been refitted in less than a year and is expected to fill the gap until Boeing’s long-delayed replacements finally arrive.
Trump unveiled the aircraft at Joint Base Andrews, where he made it clear he was really rather pleased with the finished product.
‘There will never be one like this,’ he said. ‘This is considered the world’s most luxurious plane.’
The aircraft arrives after several years of delays to America’s next generation Air Force One program.
The replacement fleet was originally expected much sooner but has repeatedly slipped, with the latest estimates suggesting the new aircraft won’t enter service until at least 2028.
Trump acknowledged the frustration himself, telling reporters: ‘We were in a little bit of a logjam.’ That left the White House looking for another option.
The answer came in the form of a former royal aircraft from Qatar that’s now been heavily modified for presidential use.
A Marine Corps general involved with the program said work only began last August and told reporters he’d never seen a conversion completed so quickly.
Outside, the jet immediately looks different from the presidential aircraft Americans have become used to seeing.
The familiar light blue Air Force One color scheme has gone, replaced by a dark navy underside, a bold red stripe and a giant American flag across the tail.
The look closely resembles Trump’s own private aircraft, often referred to as ‘Trump Force One’. Near the entrance sits the presidential seal, making it pretty clear who the plane is designed to carry.
Not every part of the aircraft was opened to visitors, so reporters didn’t get a look at everything. The front section remained off limits, although journalists could see what appeared to be an executive-style suite from a distance.
There are patriotic touches everywhere too.
Artwork featuring American scenes hangs throughout the cabin, including one image which shows a duck gliding across the Reflecting Pool as the sun sets behind it.
Further inside, no one on the design side seems to have been aiming for subtle.
The interior has more in common with a luxury office than a passenger jet, with plenty of fancy leather seating, polished wood finishes and – of course – plenty of gold-colored details throughout.
Large tables are dotted around the aircraft, creating meeting spaces for staff and officials during long journeys. Much of the cabin feels closer to a corporate headquarters than a commercial airliner.
One conference room features a large square table surrounded by chunky leather chairs. A giant television dominates one wall and the room looks ready for everything from security briefings to last-minute diplomatic discussions.
Even the seat belts have special little presidential seals. Plush carpets in shades of tan and brown run through much of the aircraft, which seems determined to remind visitors that this definitely isn’t economy class.
For journalists who regularly travel with presidents, one area attracted particular attention.
Veteran Air Force One reporters quickly noticed that the press cabin felt significantly larger than the one aboard the current aircraft.
Rows of wide leather seats fill the compartment, giving travelling reporters noticeably more room than they’re used to. Officials later revealed that lay-flat seats are also available, although reporters weren’t given the chance to test them out for themselves.
The aircraft carries a hefty price tag. A new Boeing 747-8 is valued at around $400 million, while the secretary of the Air Force said last year that modifying the gifted aircraft would probably cost less than $400 million.
Trump repeatedly praised both the appearance and performance of the jet during the unveiling.
He described it as a ‘flying White House’ and highlighted what he called the quality of the materials, workmanship and engines.
Pilots seemed pretty enthusiastic too. When one was asked how the aircraft handles in the air, he reportedly responded with a grin that suggested he didn’t have many complaints.
President Trump has been his usual self when describing the impact of something that concerns him. ‘When we land at airports in London and in Germany and different places, nobody tops this one,’ he said.
The aircraft is expected to make its first international appearance at next month’s NATO summit in Turkey before taking part in Independence Day celebrations in the United States.
Until Boeing finally delivers the replacement fleet it promised some years ago, this former royal jet looks set to carry the presidential seal around the world.
It may only be a temporary solution, but nobody’s likely to accuse it of being understated.
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