What it would take to convert a jet from Qatar into Air Force One to safely fly Trump
June 7, 2025
President Donald Trump grew impatient with how long it was taking to finish new planes to serve as Air Force One, so he started to look for other options. He found one in a luxury jumbo jet that Qatar was willing to sell — and now may be turning into a divisive gift. Assuming legal issues around the transfer are resolved, the next question is how long it will take to refurbish the Boeing 747 for presidential travel. That could span years and cost billions of dollars, meaning he might not get to use the plane during his term. If he’s in a rush and wants to cut corners, it’s a matter of how much risk he’s willing to take.
