President Trump left the NATO summit in Turkey earlier this month aboard the older Air Force One jet rather than the newer Boeing 747-8 gifted by Qatar, after U.S. officials detected a credible missile threat from Iran and its allied proxy groups targeting the president's plane, CBS News reported on July 24, 2026.

The threat, first reported by The New York Times, prompted the Secret Service to advise the president to use the older plane as a precaution amid escalating tensions in the U.S.-Iran conflict. Trump initially flew to Ankara, Turkey, on the newer $400 million Air Force One, which the U.S. had retrofitted for presidential use after accepting it from Qatar last year. However, he switched to the older plane for the flight from Ankara to the United Kingdom before returning to the U.S. on the newer aircraft.

The older Air Force One jets are equipped with laser technology designed to blind incoming missiles and employ diversion systems to misdirect threats, sources familiar with the matter told CBS News. The swap raised questions about the security of the newer plane.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated, "The new Air Force One is perfectly safe for the President's travels, but will receive additional upgrades and enhancements in the fall which will take approximately one month to complete. During that time, the President will fly on the old Air Force One."

As tensions with Iran continue to rise, President Trump has acknowledged potential threats to his safety, including a recent post on Truth Social referencing 1,000 missiles.

Sources