Trump Debuts Qatar-Gifted Air Force One With Luxury Interior

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday made his first official trip aboard a newly retrofitted Air Force One, a Boeing 747-800 gifted by Qatar and upgraded to serve as a temporary presidential aircraft.

The aircraft, valued at $400 million, is expected to act as a bridge between the current Air Force One fleet, which has been in service for 36 years, and two new Boeing presidential aircraft that are running years behind schedule. The new jets are currently expected to be delivered no earlier than 2028.

Aircraft Features Trump's Preferred Design

The new aircraft has been repainted in President Trump's preferred color scheme, replacing the traditional light blue exterior that had long been associated with Air Force One.

The redesigned jet features a navy-blue lower body with red and gold stripes. Inside, it includes luxury upgrades such as plush carpets, lie-flat seats, wood paneling, and presidential seals on the seat belts, according to reported tours of the aircraft.

Speaking to reporters before boarding the plane, Trump expressed pride in the aircraft's appearance. "You can do two things: You can low-key it, or you can show it," Trump said.

Read More: Air Force One Returns to Base Due to Minor Electrical Issue

Aircraft Prepared After Trump's Return to the White House

Trump toured the Boeing 747-800 only weeks after returning to the White House last year and instructed officials to prepare it for use during most of his remaining time in office.

Because the president wanted the aircraft ready quickly, the modification schedule was significantly shortened. As a result, not all of the advanced systems found on the existing Air Force One fleet were installed.

Security Modifications Limited by Tight Timeline

Images of the aircraft reviewed after its unveiling indicate that the retrofitted jet does not include some of the missile detection and countermeasure systems installed on the outgoing Cold War-era Air Force One aircraft.

The US Air Force said it made only limited changes to the cabin layout and spent less than $400 million on security upgrades.

According to the Air Force, the rapid conversion was completed without compromising security, safety, or secure communications. However, it confirmed that several highly complex engineering modifications planned for the final Air Force One aircraft were intentionally left out of the temporary "bridge" aircraft.

The service also acknowledged that it did not widen the aircraft's exit doors or install multiple stairways built into the aircraft's fuselage.

Expert Says Jet Appears Better Suited for Domestic Travel

Jeremiah Gertler, a senior analyst at Teal Group, an aviation and defense consulting firm, said the aircraft appears to have fewer communications antennas and lacks some defensive equipment found on the current Air Force One fleet.

He said these differences suggest the aircraft is better suited for domestic missions. "If you're going on a long trip, you take the big fancy car, but if you're just buzzing around town, you'll settle for something less. Right? And this looks like it's a domestic-only model," Gertler said.

He added that if the goal was to complete the project as quickly and inexpensively as possible, it would naturally result in fewer modifications being included.

Trump Plans to Use Aircraft for NATO Summit Trip

President Trump has said he intends to use the newly retrofitted aircraft next week when he travels to attend the NATO summit in Turkey.

Although the aircraft will serve as Air Force One for now, it is intended only as a temporary solution until the next-generation presidential aircraft enter service.