President Trump left the NATO summit held in Turkey earlier in July 2026 aboard an older Air Force One jet instead of the newer Boeing 747-8 plane donated by Qatar, U.S. officials told CBS News. The decision followed detection of a credible missile threat targeting the president's aircraft by Iran and allied proxy groups.

The U.S. officials informed CBS News that intelligence revealed a credible plot to fire a missile at the plane. The initial report of threats from Iranian proxies was first published by The New York Times.

Trump flew to Ankara, Turkey, on the newer $400 million Air Force One, which the U.S. accepted as a gift from Qatar last year and retrofitted for presidential use. However, he departed Ankara to the United Kingdom on the older Air Force One before switching back to the newer plane for the final leg of his return to the United States. This swap raised questions about the security of the new plane.

CBS News reported that the use of the older plane was recommended by the Secret Service as a precaution amid escalating tensions in the U.S.-Iran conflict. The older Air Force One jets are equipped with laser technology designed to blind incoming missiles and employ diversion systems to misdirect munitions, according to sources familiar with the matter.

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 increase, President Trump has acknowledged possible threats to his safety, including a recent post on Truth Social referencing 1,000 missiles.

Sources