President Donald Trump has officially taken his first flight aboard the newly modified Air Force One—a retrofitted Boeing 747-8 gifted to the United States by the government of Qatar.
The historic journey carried the president from Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, to Medora, North Dakota, for the dedication of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, marking the aircraft’s first official mission transporting a sitting U.S. president.
Valued at approximately $400 million before modifications, the Boeing 747-8 has undergone an extensive military conversion since arriving at Joint Base Andrews on June 19. The aircraft, designated the VC-25B Bridge, successfully completed a series of commissioning flights described by the U.S. Air Force as its “final exam” before receiving clearance for presidential operations.
Speaking to reporters before boarding, Trump praised the aircraft, saying, “I’m excited about the first flight. Nobody’s ever seen anything like it. This is maybe the greatest commercial plane ever built.”
One of the aircraft’s most noticeable changes is its striking new exterior. The traditional light blue and white Air Force One livery used since the Kennedy administration has been replaced with a bold red, white, navy blue, and gold design personally selected by Trump, inspired by the colors of the American flag.
Photos released by the White House reveal a luxurious interior featuring leather seating, elegant wood paneling, conference areas, and upgraded accommodations. Members of the traveling press reported lie-flat seats equipped with massage functions and individual entertainment screens, making it one of the most comfortable presidential aircraft ever flown.
While Trump stated that the aircraft “cost very little” for American taxpayers because it was a gift from Qatar, the overall cost of transforming a civilian Boeing 747 into a secure presidential aircraft remains the subject of intense debate.
Although Air Force officials have emphasized that mission-critical systems were prioritized over cosmetic upgrades, aviation experts estimate that installing encrypted communications, missile-defense systems, electromagnetic shielding, secure command capabilities, and classified presidential technology could ultimately exceed $1 billion. The Air Force has not released an updated official cost, citing national security classifications.
Congressional analysts have also questioned how portions of the retrofit were funded, with reports suggesting some expenses may have been transferred from the Pentagon’s Sentinel nuclear missile modernization program. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink previously testified that the retrofit would likely remain below $400 million, but no final figure has been publicly confirmed.
The aircraft is intended to serve as a temporary “bridge” Air Force One until Boeing delivers two brand-new purpose-built presidential aircraft, now expected in 2028 after years of delays and cost overruns.
The Qatari gift has generated significant political controversy since it was announced in 2025. Democratic lawmakers, ethics watchdogs, and constitutional scholars have raised concerns over national security, foreign influence, and whether accepting such a valuable gift could violate the U.S. Constitution’s Foreign Emoluments Clause.
The White House has firmly rejected those criticisms, insisting there are no conflicts of interest and emphasizing that the aircraft was donated to the U.S. Air Force and Department of Defense—not to President Trump personally.
Following his arrival in North Dakota, Trump is scheduled to participate in the dedication of the new Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library before traveling to Mount Rushmore ahead of Independence Day celebrations. The newly commissioned aircraft is also expected to participate in a major July 4 military flyover over Washington, D.C.
Interestingly, the Air Force confirmed that the existing VC-25A Air Force One aircraft will remain in active service alongside the new VC-25B Bridge, with the Presidential Airlift Group selecting which aircraft is used depending on each mission’s operational requirements.
Whether viewed as a symbol of modernization or the center of an ongoing political controversy, Trump’s first flight aboard the Qatar-gifted Boeing 747-8 marks one of the most significant developments in presidential aviation in decades.
