Qatar gifted Türkiye a Boeing 747-8i so luxurious it makes the $400M Boeing 747 it gave to the US look completely normal
Published on Jul 27, 2026 at 10:10 PM (UTC+4)
by Alessandro Renesis
Last updated on Jul 27, 2026 at 10:10 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
Qatar has apparently been gifting Boeing 747s left and right.
Over the years, the small (but rich) Middle Eastern nation has given Boeing 747s to both the US and Türkiye.
Qatar’s gift to the United States was widely reported, but its gift to Türkiye? It all but flew under the radar.
Now, people have noticed something about the Boeing 747 gifted to Türkiye.
Qatar is one of the richest countries in the world
Qatar is one of the richest countries in the world.
After Qatar gained full independence from the UK in 1971, its economy experienced an enormous boom.
This is mostly due to the natural gas found in Qatar’s North Field in the 1990s.
Qatar currently has the third-largest natural gas and oil reserves on the planet, and it has one of the world’s highest GDPs per capita.
The result is a lot of cash, which, clearly, Qatar wants to spend on building relationships as well.
A while back, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the ruler of Qatar, gifted a Boeing 747-8 to both the US and Türkiye.
The irony is that some people are saying the 747 gifted to Türkiye is ‘better’ than the one they gave to the US.
Why people are saying that Türkiye’s Boeing is better
In 2025, the small nation state in the Middle East gave the US a Boeing 747 which was quickly modified to become Air Force One.
It’s a majestic plane, but the thing is, some people are saying that the 747 gifted to Türkiye is even better.
Technically, they are the exact same aircraft model.
This aircraft given to Türkiye – initially registered as VQ-BSK and now flying as TC-TRK – includes multiple lounges, bedrooms, accommodation for up to 76 passengers, and even a medical bay.
However, the main reason people consider it better is that its interior looks a lot more royal and presidential.
Meanwhile, the Boeing 747 gifted to the US, which is now being used as Air Force One, looks like a nice luxury hotel room.
And it’s actually newer than the one that Sheikh Al Thani gave Türkiye in 2018.
Timeline of the Boeing 747
February 1969 – the first-ever 747 flight
August 1990 – first purpose-built 747 Air Force One is delivered to the US Air Force
December 1990 – the US receives the second Air Force One (VC-25A)
April 2012 – Boeing delivers a 747-8 BBJ to Qatar Amiri Flight
May 2025 – Qatar formally gifts the 747-8 to the US
August 2025 – The US Department of Defense formally accepts the 747 and launches an accelerated 10-month retrofit program with Texas-based contractor L3Harris
July 2026 – Air Force One known as VC-25B Bridge, the modified Qatari 747-8, enters service
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.
