Report: U.S., Qatar Only Now Nearing Deal on Gifted 747

Sources say the legal transfer, supposedly completed in May, has actually been held up for months.

Zach Vasile

Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at 06:30 AM ET

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Zach Vasile

The Qatari 747-8 on the runway at Palm Beach International Airport, where President Donald Trump toured it in February. [Shutterstock/Leonard Zhukovsky]

Key Takeaways:

The U.S. and Qatar are nearing finalization of an agreement for Qatar to "donate" a Boeing 747-8 aircraft, intended to become the next Air Force One, despite prior Pentagon statements claiming the deal was already complete.
This transfer, delayed by legal complexities, will enable the Pentagon to begin extensive, multi-year, multi-million dollar modifications to the plane, including security sweeps and installing advanced communication systems.
The arrangement has been controversial, with critics raising concerns about potential bribery and the risk of listening devices, though the agreement explicitly disclaims any corrupt practices.

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The governments of the U.S. and Qatar are close to finalizing an agreement for the transfer of a Boeing 747-8 that will serve as the next Air Force One, The Washington Post reported, months after the U.S. Defense Department said the deal was done.

According to an official communication viewed by the newspaper, the Qatari government will send the aircraft as a “donation” to the Pentagon. Sources with knowledge of the proceedings told the Post that the Defense Department requested a small change in the text of the agreement, which will have to be reviewed by Qatari officials.