Trump takes first flight on new Air Force One, a gift from Qatar
The luxury plane, worth about US$400 million, had extensive modifications, paid for by taxpayers, before being cleared for use
US President Donald Trump flew for the first time on Wednesday aboard a retrofitted Boeing 747 that he accepted as a gift from Qatar.
The luxury aircraft, reported to be worth about US$400 million, officially joined the Air Force One fleet last month.
It had to undergo extensive modifications at US taxpayers’ expense, including security upgrades, before being cleared for use.
Trump used it to fly to North Dakota to visit the new Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library.
Trump accepted the jet in May 2025 despite fierce criticism.
He saw the plane as a necessary replacement to the 35-year-old planes that had previously ferried him as president.