Trump to turn Qatari govt's retired aircraft into lavish Air Force One jet as Boeing fails to deliver

Trump to turn Qatari govt's retired aircraft into lavish Air Force One jet as Boeing fails to deliver
President Donald Trump disembarks from Air Force One at Tuscaloosa National Airport on May 1, 2025, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump is making bold moves to secure a new Air Force One by turning to a former Qatari government jet to bypass mounting frustrations with Boeing’s delayed delivery of the next-generation presidential aircraft.

This change comes after years of setbacks in delivering the two new presidential aircraft that Trump had pushed for during his previous term, the Daily Mail reported.



 

Donald Trump’s bid for luxe Air Force One jet

The initiative, first reported by The Wall Street Journal, involves defense contractor L3Harris taking over the transformation of the opulent aircraft, which Donald Trump hopes to have air-ready by this fall.

The aircraft, previously listed for around $400 million, already boasts palatial decor crafted by famed French design house Alberto Pinto.



 

The interiors include lavish suites, plush leather lounges, and a conference room with adjustable tan and cream chairs. Gilded walls and gleaming corridors evoke Trump’s signature aesthetic as seen in places like the Trump Tower.

Boeing falls behind as Donald Trump turns to private industry

TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - MAY 01: Air Force One sits on the tarmac at Tuscaloosa National Airport on May 01, 2025 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. U.S. President Donald Trump will be addressing graduating students at the University of Alabama. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Air Force One sits on the tarmac at Tuscaloosa National Airport on May 1, 2025, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Donald Trump originally enlisted Boeing to build two new state-of-the-art planes during his presidency in a $3.9 billion deal. However, persistent engineering issues and supplier delays have derailed progress, with current projections pushing delivery into 2035.

The Boeing 747 currently serving as Air Force One has been flying US presidents since the era of George HW Bush, who held office from 1989 to 1993.

Even a recent White House visit by Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg didn’t manage to mend the strained relationship. Trump is now banking on L3Harris, the sixth-largest US defense contractor, to retrofit the Qatari aircraft with secure communication systems and counter-attack capabilities.

SELFRIDGE ANGB, MICHIGAN - APRIL 29: U.S. President Donald Trump walks off Air Force One to speak to Air National Guard troops on April 29, 2025 at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan. Trump will travel to Macomb Community College in Warren, Michigan to hold a rally where he is expected to highlight his accomplishments during his first 100 days in office, including closing the border, job creation and the economy. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump walks off Air Force One to speak to Air National Guard troops on April 29, 2025, at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Experts remain skeptical that such a rapid transformation is feasible. Andrew Hunter, who served as the Air Force’s acquisition chief under former president Joe Biden, noted that a complete retrofit on such a tight timeline would be extremely difficult.

“You could do some paint, you could do some communications upgrades, but I suspect it would be hard to do too much beyond that,” he said.

The upcoming Air Force One isn’t just getting a lavish interior makeover, it might also be sporting a bold new look on the outside. According to reports, military officials have floated the idea of giving the iconic aircraft a patriotic paint job in red, white, and blue.

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