Incredibly rare look inside the $400M Boeing 747 gifted to the US by Qatar that's now serving as the new Air Force One
Published on Jul 07, 2026 at 12:25 AM (UTC+4)
by Alessandro Renesis
Last updated on Jul 07, 2026 at 12:25 AM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
The new presidential Boeing 747 – the Bridge Air Force One as some people call it – is ready.
After receiving it from Qatar not long ago, the US converted the plane in record time, mostly because the old one was aging quickly.
Now, White House staffers are taking to social media to share exclusive images of the interior of the plane.
They even shared what’s on the menu.
Why the US Air Force elected to turn this into the new Air Force One
In May, 2025, Qatar gave the US a free Boeing 747, which was an incredibly timely gift.
After formally accepting the gift, the US immediately spearheaded the process that would turn this Boeing 747 into the new presidential plane.
The official Air Force One replacement program – the VC-25B – had been plagued by massive delays and costs that kept rising.
That’s why the US Air Force and L3Harris, the contractor that won the bid, was tasked to tear the plane apart and build it back together with Air Force One-grade security features in a year.
It definitely looks ‘presidential’ on the inside as well
Following the formal unveiling of the Bridge Air Force One in mid-June, we are now getting our first look inside the heavily customized Boeing 747-8 thanks to White House staffers who posted photos on social media.
The converted jumbo jet retains much of its original footprint, mostly to save time and money.
For security reasons, a lot has changed under the surface, but, cosmetically, the plane looks roughly the same as it always did.
Beyond the layout, the staff photos highlighted other amenities and perks, including the menu.
For the plane’s maiden flight – or mission, if we want to use the correct term – staffers were treated to what looks like a bagel, fresh salad and berries.
So the conclusion is simple, apparently.
If you want to fly on a private Boeing 747, you can either A, become very, very rich or B, work for POTUS.
Jokes aside, it’ll be interesting to see how long this plane will remain in service.
Ordinarily, Air Force One planes ‘outlast’ US administrations because they remain in service for decades.
But the Bridge Air Force One is supposed to be a stopgap measure.
In theory, the US Air Force will likely continue building the replacement as fast as possible.
In practice, this is a temporary solution, and we all know the adage: ‘there’s nothing more permanent than a temporary government solution’.
Alessandro is an automotive journalist with 10 years of experience covering supercars, automotive history, emerging vehicle technology, and luxury transportation. He wrote the first article published on SupercarBlondie.com when the website launched in 2022 and has since built a reputation for insightful reporting across the automotive and transportation industries. His expertise is grounded in hands-on experience. Alessandro has driven every Tesla model ever produced, from the original Roadster to the Cybertruck, and regularly covers the latest developments in electric vehicles and automotive innovation. His passion for transportation extends beyond cars, he has even flown a Boeing 787 Dreamliner simulator in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. His reporting spans everything from classic American muscle cars and rare automotive discoveries to luxury yachts, private aircraft, high-end watches, and cutting-edge vehicle technology. Known for his deep knowledge of automotive history and ability to uncover the stories behind iconic vehicles, Alessandro brings readers a blend of historical context, technical expertise, and first-hand experience.
