Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestylePresident Donald Trump speaks to members of the press for the first time aboard the new Air Force One while in flight from RAF Mildenhall AFB to Joint Base Andrews July 8, 2026 after leaving the United Kingdom (Getty)Donald Trump opted to fly an older Air Force One instead of a Qatari-gifted jet after a NATO summit, stating it was "for old time's sake." Sources familiar with the situation reported the plane switch was a security precaution, urged by the Secret Service, due to renewed hostilities with Iran. The $400 million retrofitted jet reportedly lacks some missile detection and countermeasures systems found on the older presidential aircraft. Trump consistently claimed he is Iran's "No. 1 target" and believed they were attempting to assassinate him, referencing past U.S. actions against Iranian leaders. The White House affirmed the new jet has "high-level security protocols," and Trump plans to keep the aircraft for his presidential library after his term. In fullTrump explains why he switched back to old Air Force One from Qatari-gifted jet after leaving NATO summitMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

Trump said the Qatari jet would fly to a U.S. base in England so U.S. service members could tour it.

By Mike StoneWASHINGTON, July 8 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he will fly from Turkey to Britain on an older Air Force One aircraft, an unexpected switch…

President Trump will fly to Britain using an older Air Force One aircraft. This decision follows scrutiny over a recently unveiled Boeing 747 gifted by Qatar. The new plane,…

White House denies security concerns prompted switch over from aircraft given to US by Qatar