President Donald Trump took his first flight aboard the new Air Force One, a Boeing 747-800 valued at over $400 million (approximately 13.3 billion baht), gifted by the Qatari government. His inaugural flight headed to North Dakota amid strong bipartisan criticism over conflicts of interest.
U.S. President Donald Trump embarked on a historic journey aboard the new Air Force One, a modified Boeing 747-800 valued at $400 million USD or about 13.3 billion baht, presented as a gift from the Qatari government. This refurbishment clearly reflects Trump's personal style.
This new Air Force One shed the traditional light blue color scheme long used to blend into the sky, adopting Trump's favorite colors instead: the lower fuselage painted navy blue accented with red and gold stripes. Inside, the plane is luxuriously decorated in a style Trump believes isfit for the president's entourage, featuring plush carpets, flat-bed seats, elegant wooden paneling, and presidential seals embossed on every seatbelt.
"You have two choices: you either keep it quiet and low-profile or you show it off to the world," Trump told reporters proudly. "This is probably the greatest commercial airplane ever built. To be honest, the U.S. couldn't build one like this ourselves because we wouldn't be willing to spend that kind of money. But Qatar paid for it in full."
The plane gifted by Qatar was originally a government aircraft they unsuccessfully tried to sell. Trump repurposed it as a temporary "connect" plane, replacing the aging Boeing 747-200 used since the Cold War for 36 years. This is due to delays in the official order for two new Air Force Ones, now expected for delivery no earlier than 2027 and 2028, with costs ballooning from $3.7 billion to $5 billion USD.
The U.S. Air Force stated that converting Qatar's plane cost less than $400 million USD, though some sources estimate the total refurbishment could be as high as $1 billion. The focus was on operational readiness rather than appearance, resulting in minimal changes to the cabin layout.
However, analysis of photos by the Associated Press revealed the plane lacks missile detection and air attack defense systems present on previous Air Force One models. Moreover, the Air Force admitted to deliberately omitting complex engineering modifications, such as enlarging the aircraft door and installing built-in stairs.
Jeremiah Gertler, senior analyst at Teal Group, an aviation and security consultancy, noted the absence of defense systems and fewer communication antennas clearly indicate this Air Force One is suitable "for domestic use only." Gertler said, "If you need to travel long distances, you'd choose a large, luxurious, and secure vehicle. But if you're just circling around town, you might accept a lower specification. This plane seems to be a domestic-only model."
Nonetheless, Trump revealed plans to use this plane to travel to the NATO summit in Turkey next week, which conflicts with the noted security limitations.
This acceptance of a high-value gift from a Middle Eastern power sparked intense criticism and bipartisan controversy in the U.S. Democratic Party branded the event as the "definition of corruption," expressing serious concerns over conflicts of interest.
Additionally, opposition groups argued the funds spent on modifying this plane should have been redirected to the "Sentinel" program, the U.S.'s intercontinental missile modernization project, which is years behind schedule. The White House denied all allegations, affirming the donation complied fully with the law. Trump claimed the gift saved taxpayers significant money and said the plane will eventually be displayed in his presidential library.
Normally, reporters are not allowed to photograph inside Air Force One unless the president is aboard. However, on Wednesday's inaugural flight, Trump's staff shared interior photos on social media.
Stephen Chong, White House communications director, posted a photo showing advisors seated around a large round conference table on captain's chairs, while Monica Crowley, head of U.S. diplomatic protocol, shared an image of herself sitting on a luxurious leather sofa flanked by Air Force One pillows, with a framed mock-up of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial prominently displayed on the wall behind her.
For this inaugural flight, the plane took Trump to North Dakota to visit the "Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library," where Trump was the first official guest to tour prior to its formal opening during the U.S. 250th Independence Day celebrations.
. . .Associated Press/Guardian