A converted Boeing 747-8 originally operated by Qatar’s royal family could soon make its first presidential flight for the United States. According to reports, officials are considering using the aircraft for a planned July 3 visit to Mount Rushmore as part of celebrations marking America’s 250th anniversary, although no final decision has been announced.
The aircraft has undergone an extensive transformation since being donated to the U.S. government in 2025. Following its arrival in the United States, the jumbo jet completed a major modification program in Texas that included upgraded communications systems, security enhancements, and a series of flight tests designed to prepare it for potential presidential duties.
During testing earlier this year, aviation enthusiasts tracked the aircraft flying over Texas and Oklahoma under the callsign “Vader 01” while wearing a temporary all-white paint scheme. The jet has since been repainted in a striking red, white, and blue livery, replacing the iconic light blue and white design that has been associated with presidential aircraft for decades.
Officially designated the VC-25B “bridge aircraft,” the modified 747-8 is intended to serve as an interim solution while Boeing continues work on the next-generation presidential aircraft fleet. The current Air Force One aircraft, based on the Boeing 747-200, have been in service for more than 36 years, while the purpose-built VC-25B replacements are now expected to enter service in 2027 and 2028 following multiple delays.
