The plane is classified by the Air Force as a VC-25 bridge aircraft, that is, a transition aircraft.
A plane donated by the Qatari royal family It may begin to be used by the President of the United States, Donald Trump, as Air Force One from the summer of 2026.
“The Air Force remains committed to accelerating the delivery of the transitional VC-25 aircraft in support of the presidential transport mission, with delivery scheduled no later than summer 2026,” said an Air Force spokesperson.
The plane is classified by the Air Force as a VC-25 bridge aircraft, that is, a transition aircraft. This type of plane is used as a temporary solution while the new definitive Air Force Ones – ordered from Boeing in previous contracts – have not yet been delivered.
Currently, the American presidential fleet uses planes that have been operating for decades, which has led the Pentagon to seek temporary alternatives to ensure the continuity of the presidential transportation mission with safety and reliability.
Donation from the Qatari royal family
The jet, a Boeing 747, was donated by the Qatari royal family in the spring of 2025 for use by then-President Trump. Despite the donation, the aircraft could not immediately go into operationas it needed to meet rigorous requirements before being officially accepted by the American government.
According to sources at the time, the process included a series of mandatory steps led by the Pentagon, including:
- Complete reconfiguration of the aircraft to meet Air Force One technical and operational standards;
- Installation of specific presidential communication systems, compatible with United States military protocols;
- Highly sensitive security checks, including inspections to detect potential spying devices or electronic vulnerabilities.
Only after completing these steps could the plane be considered fit to transport the President of the United States.
Security and secrecy
The Air Force did not release technical details about the modifications made, citing national security reasons.
Traditionally, aircraft used as Air Force One have advanced secure communication systems, protection against external threats and features that allow the president to fully carry out his duties even during international flights.
These procedures are standard for any plane incorporated into the presidential fleet, regardless of its origin.
Possible start of operations
If the schedule is maintained and the final certification steps are completed on schedule, Donald Trump could begin using the jet this summer, making it, in practice, the new Air Force One on a provisional basis.
To date, the The White House has not commented publicly when the plane would begin to be used on presidential flights, nor whether there will be an official event to mark its entry into operation. Qatari authorities also did not comment on the progress of the process after the donation.
The use of a provisional aircraft occurs amid historic delays in the delivery of the new definitive Air Force One, a complex project that involves high costs, extreme technological requirements and specific adaptations for presidential missions. Meanwhile, the Air Force seeks to ensure that the President of the United States continues to have a safe and fully functional means of transportation.
The official expectation remains: the plane donated by Qatar will be ready to carry out the presidential mission by the summer of 2026, if there are no further delays.
*This text does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Jovem Pan.
