Wikipedia

Boeing VC-25B Bridge

(Redirected from P4-HBJ)

The Boeing VC-25B Bridge is a military conversion of a single Boeing 747-8 airliner, serving as an interim Air Force One presidential transport to complement the United States Air Force's aging VC-25A fleet. Originally built as a Boeing Business Jet, the aircraft was delivered to Qatar Amiri Flight in April 2012 and used by the House of Thani. In June 2023, it was delivered to Global Jet Isle of Man. The U.S. federal government acquired the plane as a gift from the Qatari government in 2025 and it underwent modifications by L3Harris for its new role. U.S. president Donald Trump uses the aircraft alongside the existing VC-25As. As a stopgap for the VC-25B, the VC-25B Bridge lacks several features of the definitive aircraft, including defensive countermeasures. The aircraft is slated to be transferred to Trump's presidential library foundation shortly before the end of his second term, though critics argue that such a transfer may be unconstitutional.

VC-25B Bridge
The VC-25B Bridge taking off for the United States Semiquincentennial flyover of Washington DC on 4 July 2026
General information
TypePresidential transport
National originUnited States
ManufacturerBoeing
L3Harris (modifications)
StatusIn service
Primary userUnited States Air Force[a]
Number built1
RegistrationN7478D[b]
Serial25-3300
History
Introduction date1 July 2026[1]
First flight2026[2][3]
In service2026–present[c]
Developed fromBoeing VC-25
Boeing 747-8I

Design and development

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The VC-25B Bridge (left) taxiing with a VC-25A (right) at Joint Base Andrews.

The aircraft that would later become the VC-25B Bridge was originally built as a Boeing Business Jet variant 747-8KB.[d][4] The aircraft interior was designed by Cabinet Alberto Pinto, featuring rugs from Tai Ping Carpets, sycamore and wacapou fixtures, and artwork from Alexander Calder.[5] The plane included two bathrooms, nine lavatories, a main and guest bedroom, and several lounges. [6][7] There was an office, "business class" seating, multiple galleys, and crew rest facilities. It had audio-visual equipment as well as satellite connectivity.[7] The aircraft seated 89 people.[5] Its replacement value was generally estimated at US$400 million,[8] although Bloomberg reported that its market value was likely lower, about US$100–125 million.[5]

After acquisition by the United States Air Force, L3Harris was selected to perform the necessary modifications for use as a presidential transport.[2] Modifications are expected to include special communications equipment appropriate for a military senior leader.[7] According to Politico, modifying the aircraft for Air Force One would cost tens to hundreds of millions of dollars, including auditing the plane for foreign technology.[9]

Security concerns

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When an aircraft is converted into Air Force One, it is typically fitted with hardened defenses, encrypted communications, and countermeasures. These allow the president to survive a war or other major catastrophe and to command forces while airborne.[10] The White House states that the current feature set is adequate to ensure the security of its passengers. However, the new plane lacks certain security features, such as advanced antimissile capabilities, present in the existing VC-25As. The Air Force has stated that the aircraft lacks some “less commonly used mission sets” required in the future. Frank Kendall, the former Air Force secretary who oversaw the acceleration of the VC-25B program, states that the VC-25B Bridge lacks “some mix of security, communications and support” and is surprised to see the plane fly overseas. These security concerns forced President Trump to use a VC-25A to return from the July 2026 NATO summit in Ankara.[11]

Operational history

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Qatar Amiri Flight (2012–2023)

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The aircraft as A7-HBJ in 2015

In April 2012, Boeing delivered the aircraft, registered "A7-HJA" at the time, to Qatar Amiri Flight from Everett, Washington.[12] The aircraft was used by the House of Thani for flights to the United States and Europe[4] and was owned by Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, the former prime minister of Qatar.[13]

Global Jet Isle of Man (2023–2025)

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In June 2023, the aircraft was delivered to Global Jet Isle of Man.[citation needed] The new owner of the plane was undisclosed; The New York Times reported in 2025 that it was privately owned and not used for air charters.[14]

United States Air Force (2025–present)

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A mockup of Trump's preferred Air Force One livery for N7478D, as displayed in the Oval Office on 3 September 2025.
The aircraft, after conversion to VC-25B Bridge standard, during flight testing in April 2026.

After U.S. president Donald Trump was inaugurated in January 2025, he moved to direct Elon Musk to force Boeing to quickly manufacture replacements for the aging VC-25 series that was being used by the president for 35 years as Air Force One. In February, after special envoy Steven Witkoff arranged for Qatar to send the plane to the US for Trump to see,[15] he toured the 747 at Palm Beach International Airport; the plane returned to Doha, Qatar. At this point Qatar officials were reported as expecting the plane to be sold or leased to the US, not gifted.[15][16] In May, The Wall Street Journal reported that the U.S. federal government had commissioned L3Harris[17] to modify the plane at San Antonio International Airport,[6] though the Air Force had not acquired the plane by that time.[18]

That month, ABC News reported that Trump was set to announce the plane during his state visit to Qatar. Sources told ABC News that Attorney General Pam Bondi and White House counsel David Warrington had said it would be "legally permissible" for the plane to be gifted on the condition that it will be transferred to the Trump's presidential library foundation before he leaves office.[8] Bondi allegedly wrote a legal memorandum declaring that acceptance of the gift was "legally permissible". On 15 May, the Freedom of the Press Foundation submitted a request for the document under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) but was told that it would take more than 600 days to process the request. On 28 July, the Freedom of the Press Foundation sued the government for release of the Bondi legal memorandum.[19][20]

The aircraft is believed to be one of the largest donations by a foreign government, according to the Times, and may be used for post-presidency travel.[18][21] Concerns have been raised whether the acquisition of the plane may violate the Foreign Emoluments Clause of the United States Constitution.[22] The transfer elicited criticism from conservative commentators, including Ben Shapiro, Mark Levin, and Laura Loomer.[23] The Guardian criticized it as an example of a quid pro quo.[24] The Boston Globe described the deal as an example of an increasingly transactional presidency, describing it as more direct than during his first term and showing that he was "willing to bend for anyone who gives him what he craves: praise, prestige, and a cut of the profits".[25]

On 21 May 2025, the Secretary of the Air Force, Troy Meink, announced that the Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, had formally accepted the plane and instructed the Pentagon to adjust it to the operational needs for the presidential plane.[26][27] On 28 May, the Washington Post reported that no deal had been agreed to because Qatar required a memorandum of understanding confirming that any transfer request had been initiated by the United States in order to ensure that Qatar had no legal liability.[28][16] Hegseth signed the memorandum of understanding on July 7.[29]

The cost of upgrading the plane was officially classified and hidden inside the over-budget LGM-35 Sentinel nuclear missile modernization program, but was estimated to be at $934 million due to an unexplained transfer of funds from the missile project.[30] In July 2025, The New York Times reported that an unexplained transfer of $934 million from the missile project was transferred to retrofit the Qatari jet. The confidential nature of the total cost of upgrading the jet, and the fund transfer from the missile program, sparked controversy.[30] Around the same time, in mid 2025, Secretary Meink told Members of Congress that the Air Force was diverting funds from the missile program to pay for the Qatari 747 / Air Force One work.[7]

On 8 August, the aircraft was flown under a new registration, N7478D, to Waco, Texas.[20][31] On 15 September, it was reported that modification work by the Air Force had begun. The aircraft's future role was described as "executive airlift support" rather than "presidential transport".[32] These modifications were carried out by L3Harris.[2]

In late January 2026, the Air Force indicated that it was on track to deliver the "VC-25 bridge aircraft" for use by mid 2026, though various indications – including a letter from converter AMAC to the Federal Aviation Administration, requesting expedited validation – suggested that corners were being cut, and some work not done, to ready it in time.[7][33] According to former Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall III, the aircraft lacks some of the security, communications, and support modifications that are otherwise standard for Air Force One aircraft.[34]

On 1 May 2026, the Air Force announced that N7478D, now the "VC-25B Bridge" aircraft, had completed modifications by L3Harris and finished flight testing. The aircraft was painted with Trump's preferred red, white, and blue livery, with delivery to the Presidential Airlift Group planned for mid 2026.[2][3] In May 2026, Reuters reported that the White House intended for the VC-25B Bridge aircraft to be operational by July 4, 2026, the 250th anniversary of the United States.[35]

The first operational Boeing VC-25B "Bridge" interim presidential aircraft, modified from a gifted Qatari Boeing 747-8, pictured inside a hangar at Joint Base Andrews in June 2026.

On 19 June 2026, the aircraft was officially unveiled at Joint Andrews Base.[36][37][38] The Air Force said that the aircraft would be undergoing commissioning flights to allow the White House team to validate its capabilities and the Air Force to finalize its operation protocols.[39]

On 1 July 2026, the aircraft made its inaugural flight as Air Force One. It carried President Trump, alongside sons Donald Jr. and Eric, to Bismarck, North Dakota, where they attended the dedication of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora.[1] The aircraft made its first international Air Force One flight the following week when it brought Trump to the 2026 Ankara NATO summit in Turkey on 7 July. The VC-25B Bridge departed for RAF Mildenhall without Trump the following day, with the president later departing for Mildenhall on a VC-25A following the summit. According to Trump, his departure on the VC-25A was "for old time's sake". However, TWZ speculated that Trump's decision to launch strikes against Iran during the summit may have led to heightened security around the president, pointing out that concerns had been raised about the defensive capabilities of the VC-25B Bridge.[40] The New York Times reported that the swap was precautionary, made at the advice of the US Secret Service rather than in response to a threat.[41] On 19 July, Trump said the VC-25B Bridge would be temporarily taken out of service "in about a month or so" to be "maxed out", suggesting upgrades to the aircraft's defensive capabilities; the upgrade is expected to take around a month.[42][43] Trump did not specify what would be upgraded. TWZ noted that, unlike the VC-25A, the VC-25B Bridge lacks any visible defensive systems. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated Trump will fly on the VC-25A while the bridge aircraft is being upgraded.[44] A source familiar with the matter told CNN that Trump is still expected to use the VC-25B Bridge for domestic trips and some international visits to low-risk destinations before the plane is upgraded.[45]

Planned retirement

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The VC-25B Bridge is expected to be retired shortly before the end of Trump's second term. Ownership of the aircraft is subsequently to be transferred to the Donald J. Trump Presidential Library Foundation. According to sources familiar with the 2025 acquisition proposal, the aircraft is planned to be retired and transferred to the foundation no later than 1 January 2029.[8]

Democratic members of Congress and other critics have raised concerns that such a transfer violates the U.S. Constitution's Foreign Emoluments Clause, and that it creates a conflict of interest as the President has substantial influence over issues involving the aircraft's donor, the government of Qatar. However, the administration's position is that the arrangement is legal, since Qatar presented the gift to the U.S. government rather than to an individual, and the ultimate transfer will be to a foundation rather than to Trump himself.[46]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ↑ The aircraft previously served with Qatar Amiri Flight prior to conversion.
  2. ↑ Prior to conversion, the aircraft had also carried the registrations A7-HJA, A7-HBJ, and P4-HBJ.
  3. ↑ The aircraft was in service from 2012–2025 prior to conversion.
  4. ↑ The "KB" suffix is the Boeing customer code for Qatar Amiri Flight.

References

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  1. 1 2 Hunnicutt, Trevor; Holland, Steve (1 July 2026). "Trump honors Theodore Roosevelt in North Dakota, debuts new Air Force One". Reuters. Retrieved 2 July 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "VC-25B Bridge program completes flight testing, prepares for summer rollout". U.S. Air Force. Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs. 1 May 2026. Retrieved 2 May 2026.
  3. 1 2 Newdick, Thomas (2 May 2026). "New VC-25B Air Force One "Bridge" Aircraft Now Fully Modified And Flight Tested". The War Zone. Recurrent Ventures. Retrieved 2 May 2026.
  4. 1 2 Taghvaee, Babak (6 September 2024). "The Qatari Amiri Flight". Key Aero. Archived from the original on 7 September 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2025.
  5. 1 2 3 Johnsson, Julie; Al-Rashdan, Leen (26 March 2025). "Air Force One Delay Sends Trump Plane Shopping". Bloomberg News. Retrieved 11 May 2025.
  6. 1 2 Allison, Natalie; Nakashima, Ellen; Lamothe, Dan; Hawkins, Derek; Strobel, Warren (13 May 2025). "Trump's gifted Qatari 747 would be a security problem, officials say". The Washington Post. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 Everstine , Brian: "U.S. Air Force Expected To Limit Changes To Qatari-Donated 747". 22 January 2026, Aerospace Daily & Defense Report, Aviation Week Intelligence Network (AWIN), retrieved 23 January 2026
  8. 1 2 3 Karl, Jonathan; Faulders, Katherine (11 May 2025). "Trump administration poised to accept 'palace in the sky' as a gift for Trump from Qatar: Sources". ABC News. Retrieved 11 May 2025.
  9. ↑ Gould, Joe; O'Brien, Connor (12 May 2025). "Trump's free plane is not so free". Politico. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
  10. ↑ Losey, Stephen: "Qatar-gifted Air Force One plane delivery expected this summer," 22 January 2026, Defense News, retrieved 26 January 2026
  11. ↑ Pager, Tyler; Lipton, Eric; Goldman, Adam; Schmitt, Eric; Barnes, Julian E. (10 July 2026). "New Air Force One Lacks Defensive Countermeasures of Previous Model, Officials Say". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 10 July 2026.
  12. ↑ Müller, Manuel (2 May 2012). "Erste Lufthansa Boeing 747-8I in Frankfurt gelandet" [First Lufthansa Boeing 747-8I landed in Frankfurt]. Aero.de (in German). Archived from the original on 4 May 2012. Retrieved 11 May 2025.
  13. ↑
  14. ↑ Lipton, Eric; Swan, Jonathan; Haberman, Maggie; Schmitt, Eric (19 February 2025). "A Frustrated Trump Wants His New Air Force One Planes Pronto". The New York Times. Retrieved 11 May 2025.
  15. 1 2 "The Inside Story of Trump's Search for a New Air Force One". 20 May 2025. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
  16. 1 2 Marquardt, Alex; Holmes, Kristen; Bertrand, Natasha (19 May 2025). "Sources contradict Trump narrative about Qatar offering plane as 'gift'". CNN. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
  17. ↑ Tangel, Andrew; Dawsey, Josh; Terlep, Sharon (1 May 2025). "Trump Wants a New Air Force One So Badly He's Refurbishing a Qatari Plane". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 11 May 2025.
  18. 1 2 Haberman, Maggie (11 May 2025). "Trump Is to Accept a Luxury 747 From Qatar for Use as Air Force One". The New York Times. Retrieved 11 May 2025.
  19. ↑ Gedeon, Joseph (28 July 2025). "Trump justice department sued over legal memo on Qatar's luxury jet gift". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
  20. 1 2 Lingle, Brandon (5 August 2025). "Secrecy surrounds Trump's Qatari dream jet in D.C. and Texas". San Antonio Express. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
  21. ↑ Hulse, Carl (13 May 2025). "Schumer to Slow Trump Justice Dept. Nominees Over Qatari Jet". The New York Times. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
  22. ↑ Lotz, Avery (15 May 2025). "The foreign emoluments clause: What it is and how it relates to Qatar's jet offer". Axios. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
  23. ↑ Stelter, Brian (12 May 2025). "'It's a bribe': MAGA media stars bash Trump's reported Qatar plane gift". CNN. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
  24. ↑ Pilkington, Ed (13 May 2025). "Trump 2.0 takes quid pro quo fears to new heights with $400m flying grift". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
  25. ↑ Pindell, James (13 May 2025). "Trump is trying to find and exploit the leverage points for everyone — except those giving him gifts". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
  26. ↑ Martinez, Luis (21 May 2025). "Pentagon accepts luxury jet from Qatar to use as Air Force One". ABC News. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
  27. ↑ Lipton, Eric; Schmitt, Eric (21 May 2025). "U.S. Formally Accepts Luxury Jet From Qatar for Trump". The New York Times. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
  28. ↑ Hudson, John; Allison, Natalie; Lamothe, Dan; Nakashima, Ellen (28 May 2025). "Trump's Air Force One deal with Qatar not final, despite U.S. claims". The Washington Post. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
  29. ↑ Mayes-Osterman, Cybele (28 July 2025). "Qatar's luxury jet gift to Trump is 'unconditional donation,' signed agreement says". USA Today. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
  30. 1 2 Sanger, David E.; Schmitt, Eric (27 July 2025). "What Will It Cost to Renovate the 'Free' Air Force One? Don't Ask". The New York Times. Retrieved 1 August 2025.
  31. ↑ Cenciotti, David (10 August 2025). "Qatar-Donated 747-8 Spotted In Texas Ahead Of 'Air Force One' Refit". The Aviationist. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
  32. ↑ Hadley, Greg (15 September 2025). "USAF Starts Modifying 747 to Serve as Air Force One". Air & Space Forces Magazine.
  33. ↑ Marrow, Michael (22 January 2026). "Qatari 747 to fly as Trump's Air Force One this summer". Breaking Defense.
  34. ↑ Pager, Tyler; Lipton, Eric; Goldman, Adam; Schmitt, Eric; Barnes, Julian E. (10 July 2026). "New Air Force One Lacks Defensive Countermeasures of Previous Model, Officials Say". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 10 July 2026.
  35. ↑ Stone, Mike (6 May 2026). "US aims for Fourth of July to deploy Qatar-gifted jet as Air Force One". Reuters. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  36. ↑ "'World's most luxurious plane': Trump unveils Qatari-gifted 747 Air Force One". The Indian Express. 20 June 2026. Retrieved 20 June 2026.
  37. ↑ Skores, Alexandra; Britzky, Haley (18 June 2026). "White House staff bids farewell to planes used as Air Force One for more than 35 years". CNN. Retrieved 19 June 2026.
  38. ↑ "Trump unveils new Air Force One, a $400 million plane gifted by Qatar". CBS News. 19 June 2026. Retrieved 19 June 2026.
  39. ↑ "VC-25B Bridge aircraft arrives at Joint Base Andrews, begins commissioning flights". US Air Force (Press release). 19 June 2026. Retrieved 19 June 2026.
  40. ↑ Trevithick, Joseph (8 July 2026). "Trump Unexpectedly Swaps New Air Force One Jet For Old In Sudden Trip To British Base". TWZ. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  41. ↑ Pager, Tyler; Barnes, Julian E.; Schmitt, Eric; Lipton, Eric (9 July 2026). "Security Precaution Led Trump to Use Old Air Force One in Leaving Turkey". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 10 July 2026.
  42. ↑ Hunnicutt, Trevor (20 July 2026). "Trump says new Air Force One from Qatar will get 'maxed out' upgrades". Reuters. Retrieved 20 July 2026.
  43. ↑ Sharman, Laura; Asencio, Christina (20 July 2026). "Trump says new Air Force One from Qatar will get 'maxed out' upgrades". CNN. Retrieved 20 July 2026.
  44. ↑ Altman, Howard (20 July 2026). "New VC-25B Air Force One Will Be Pulled From Service To Be 'Maxed Out' With Upgrades". The War Zone. The War Zone. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  45. ↑ Holmes, Kristen; Cancryn, Adam; Skores, Alexandra (20 July 2026). "White House rushes to further secure Trump's new Air Force One — but he plans to keep flying it domestically". CNN. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  46. ↑ Jaffe, Alan (14 May 2025). "Unwrapping Qatar's $400 Million Winged Gift to Trump". FactCheck.org. Retrieved 10 July 2026.
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