President Trump left the NATO summit in Turkey earlier this month aboard an older Air Force One jet rather than the newer $400 million Boeing 747-8 gifted by Qatar, U.S. officials told CBS News. The decision followed a credible threat from Iran and allied proxy groups to fire a missile at the president's plane.

Trump initially flew to Ankara, Turkey, on the newly donated Air Force One, which the U.S. had spent months retrofitting to carry the president. However, he switched to the older plane for his flight from Ankara to the United Kingdom before returning to the United States on the newer aircraft.

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

CBS News reported that the use of the older plane was at the suggestion of the Secret Service as a precaution amid escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran. The New York Times first reported the threats from Iranian proxies.

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 the conflict with Iran intensifies, President Trump has acknowledged possible Iranian threats to his safety, including a recent post on Truth Social referencing 1,000 missiles potentially aimed at him.

Sources