Donald Trump confirms new Air Force One will be taken out of service – just weeks after it was gifted from Qatar

DONALD Trump has confirmed his new Air Force One will soon be taken out of service just weeks after the luxury jet was gifted by Qatar. The President revealed the temporary aircraft will head in for additional work within the next month so it can be “maxed out” with further upgrades. Trump (pictured in May) announced his new Air Force One, gifted by Qatar, will soon be taken out of service Credit: AFP A photograph of the plane welcomed guests onto the new Air Force One Credit: Instagram/karolineleavitt White House Communications Director Steven Cheung previously shared interior images from inside the new plane Credit: X/StevenCheung47 The luxury jet requires further upgrades to enhance its defensive capabilities Credit: Reuters It comes after questions were raised over the plane’s defensive capabilities. Trump made the announcement after returning to Washington aboard the Boeing 747-800 on Sunday, when he was asked why he was flying on the aircraft despite reports it does not have anti-missile defense systems. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! He replied: “Well, it has – it has a lot, and you know it has a lot of capability, but as I understand it, in about a month or so, they’re going to send it to have it be maxed out. “So they’re going to be sending it, and they’ll have it be maxed out. It’ll take about a month.” The president did not elaborate on exactly what upgrades the aircraft will receive, although his comments suggest further work is planned to bring the jet closer to the standards expected of a presidential aircraft. The Qatari-donated plane has been serving as a temporary “bridge” aircraft while Boeing completes two long-delayed next-generation Air Force One jets, which are now expected in 2028. It comes just weeks after Trump proudly debuted the lavish $400million Boeing 747 – nicknamed the “flying palace” – during its maiden presidential flight to North Dakota. Before boarding that inaugural trip, Trump hailed the aircraft, saying: “This will be the first flight of what I think is maybe the greatest commercial plane ever built. Most read in The Sun Trump pictured in 2025 with Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Keir Starmer on the old Air Force One plane in 2025 Credit: Crown Copyright Breakfast was served aboard the flight, including a ham and cheese croissant and a bowl of fruit Credit: Instagram/karolineleavitt Trump was joined by some of his top advisors on the flight to North Dakota Credit: X/StevenCheung47 A closer view of the new Air Force One entrance Credit: Reuters “We’re going to the Teddy Roosevelt Presidential Library opening and that will be very good, that’ll be a lot of fun, but to be honest with you, I’m excited about the first flight.” The president introduced the jet with a striking red, white, blue and gold paint scheme and was joined on the historic flight by members of his administration and family, including sons Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr., as well as his new wife Bettina. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also flew on board, later sharing a glimpse inside the aircraft, which features conference tables, televisions, a full presidential office and luxury furnishings. Photos from the trip also showed a breakfast menu featuring ham and cheese croissants alongside fresh fruit. Trump previously said the aircraft had been modified to ensure it was suitable for presidential use, telling reporters officials had “made it appropriate for a president” by equipping it with enhanced security technology and communications systems. The luxury jet replaced an aging Air Force One that had been in service for nearly four decades, although Trump has repeatedly said it will only be used until Boeing finally delivers the new presidential aircraft that have faced years of delays. Under the current plan, the gifted plane will ultimately be transferred to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation by January 1, 2029, after he leaves office. The aircraft’s donation sparked criticism from Democratic opponents, but the White House has consistently maintained the gift complied with all applicable laws. Leavitt previously said any gift presented to the United States by a foreign government is “always accepted in full compliance with all applicable laws.” Comment now