President Trump announced that the $400 million Qatari-donated jet will receive significant security upgrades over the next month.
President Trump acknowledged on Sunday that the Boeing 747-8 jet donated by Qatar will soon be "maxed out" with additional protections. The aircraft, which the administration announced will undergo upgrades this fall, currently lacks the advanced anti-missile defenses and infrared countermeasures found on the traditional Air Force One fleet. The administration announced that the jet serves as a "bridge" plane until two new Boeing aircraft are delivered in 2028. While President Trump praised the jet as "the world’s most luxurious plane," officials recently identified security deficiencies that prompted him to use an older aircraft for the return leg of a trip to Turkey. To address these concerns, the administration announced that the new jet will receive enhancements to ensure it can handle higher-risk international travel. Although the timeline for these improvements is approximately one month, aviation experts noted that significant structural changes may be difficult to achieve in such a short period.