The newest Air Force One, a Boeing 747 gifted to President Trump by Qatar, has arrived at Joint Base Andrews ahead of schedule. The aircraft, valued at approximately $400 million, has sparked legal and ethical debates since its announcement.
Key points
Newest Air Force One arrived at Joint Base Andrews
Gifted to Trump by the Qatari government
Valued at approximately $400 million
Raised legal and ethical questions
Trump toured the aircraft after its arrival
Mentioned in this story
QatarDonald TrumpJoint Base Andrews
Air Force OneBoeing 747
U.S. President Donald Trump pumps his fist after touring the inside of the newest aircraft in the presidential fleet at Andrews Air Force Base on June 19, 2026 at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.
U.S. President Donald Trump pumps his fist after touring the inside of the newest aircraft in the presidential fleet at Andrews Air Force Base on June 19, 2026 at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.
Alex Wong
/Getty Images
Alex Wong
/Getty Images
The newest Air Force One jet, gifted to President Trump from the Qatari government, arrived ahead of schedule on Friday to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.
Trump also spoke standing in front of the plane, thanking the Emir of Qatar and praising Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Q&A
What is the value of the new Air Force One gifted to Trump?
The new Air Force One is valued at approximately $400 million.
Why did Qatar gift a plane to President Trump?
Qatar gifted the plane to replace the presidential jet, which raised legal and ethical questions.
When did the new Air Force One arrive at Joint Base Andrews?
The new Air Force One arrived at Joint Base Andrews on Friday, June 19, 2026.
What controversies surround the gifting of the Air Force One?
The gifting of the Air Force One has raised legal and ethical questions due to its status as one of the biggest foreign gifts ever received by the U.S. government.
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A Qatari Boeing 747 sits on the tarmac of Palm Beach International airport after President Trump toured the aircraft on Feb. 15. The U.S. has since accepted the luxury Boeing jet from the Qatari royal family.
The president praised the workmanship of the plane, describing it as the "world's most luxurious plane."
"This plane was transformed into a flying White House at a level of luxury that nobody's ever seen before, probably even almost outside of an airplane," Trump said. "Nobody's ever seen anything like this, and in only 10 months, a timeframe no one thought possible."
The VC-25B Bridge aircraft will now undertake its commissioning flights, what the Air Force calls a "final exam" for the plane. The plane was modified after serving the Qatari Head of State.
"Once these flights are successfully completed, the aircraft is officially "commissioned" into the active executive airlift fleet and becomes available for presidential missions," an Air Force press release said.
The aircraft from Qatar will "serve as a bridge until the [long-term] VC-25B is delivered," according to earlier communications from the Air Force. The plane was delivered well before expectations. The Air Force originally estimated the plane would be delivered in 2028 but said by modifying requirements it could deliver the first aircraft in 2027. The modifications "were carefully crafted to prioritize mission over aesthetics, leaving much of the previous head of state interior layout minimally changed," the Air Force said.
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach praised the delivery.
"Many thought it could not be done, but the United States Air Force was able to execute and provide a secure, reliable airborne command post on an accelerated timeline," he said.
