President Trump is reportedly fuming about the fact that the public has caught on to the (obvious) safety issues with his new $400 million “flying palace” Air Force One gifted by Qatar, and it’s leading to journalists getting subpoenaed.
While I can appreciate the desire to protect government secrets, the reporting seems about as shocking as finding out that water is wet, or that the sun is bright…
In this post:
Air Force One safety issues lead to journalist subpoenas
In mid-June 2026, the Air Force took delivery of the new Boeing 747-8 that was gifted by Qatar, which will act as the primary new aircraft for carrying the president, which carries the designator “Air Force One” (though when Trump leaves office he gets to keep it, as it’ll go into his presidential library).
The converted Boeing 747-200s that acted as the primary Air Force One aircraft up until this point were definitely getting a bit old, and for years, there has been a contract in place for two replacement Boeing 747-8s. However, the delivery of those has been delayed massively, given the amount of special equipment that needs to be installed, to keep the president safe.
So when Trump recently flew to Turkey for a NATO summit, he flew the outbound on his new Boeing 747-8. However, for the return flight out of Turkey, shortly after the ceasefire with Iran was called off, he once again flew the old Boeing 747-200. While he claimed that he was doing this to “honor the military,” the reason was obvious — there were safety concerns with the plane.
The new Air Force One is clearly about vanity and prestige, rather than about flying in the safest way possible. Following this, The New York Times reported that security precautions caused Trump to use the old Air Force One to fly out of Turkey, quoting people familiar with the matter.
Well, Trump isn’t happy with that reporting, and four reporters have now been subpoenaed by the US Justice Department, to testify before a grand jury in Manhattan next Wednesday. In a statement, the US Justice Department shared the following:
“To the extent that we have to investigate breaches of national security, that’s something that we will continue to do. To be clear, reporters are not the targets, those leaking classified information are. We recognize there may always be natural tension there. But we are not going to ignore the law and stop investigating the people who work in the administration and think it’s okay to leak classified information impacting national security.”
I understand wanting to prevent national security breaches, but…
On the surface, I understand the need to look out for national security interests, and to prevent leaks. However, the report in question by The New York Times really didn’t state anything that I wouldn’t consider to be obvious to someone of average intelligence. The report suggested that:
- Officials were worried that the new aircraft didn’t yet have all the defensive systems and countermeasures carried by the previous Air Force One, including some missile defense capabilities
- The report suggested that those concerns became more serious because of increased tensions with Iran
The Trump administration has insisted that’s not the case, and that the plane has met the high security standards.
But seriously, let’s look at this semi-objectively. The two purpose-built Boeing 747-8s that will act as Air Force One in the future have now been delayed by a minimum of four years. The delay isn’t with building the 747-8 as such, but instead, with installing all the sophisticated equipment needed to protect the president.
Meanwhile Trump’s Qatar-gifted 747-8 was in service in less than a year. I mean, isn’t it obvious that it doesn’t have all the same safety equipment? If all the necessary safety equipment could actually be installed that fast, then why aren’t the two existing 747-8s in production just fast tracked? Anyone? Bueller?
Bottom line
The US Justice Department has subpoenaed reporters from The New York Times for breaking the news that the new Air Force One clearly doesn’t have the same security equipment as the previous Air Force One. That seems exceedingly obvious, given that the jet was prepared for service in a matter of months, while the two replacement Air Force Ones are four years behind schedule (best case scenario) due to the complexity of installing this equipment.
I understand the need to protect national security interests and prevent leaks, but if the government really thinks it’s a “secret” that this plane doesn’t have all the typical Air Force One equipment, then, well… we have bigger issues.
I love OMAAT and appreciate what Ben does. The language annoyances and quirks are part of the charm. My cringe senses flair currently with the “keys” nonsense for rooms but if Ben stopped doing that now, I’d probably miss it. To me, Ben can write what he wants and we can read it or not. On this article, I enjoyed it and read the comments only to confirm that someone else pointed out that it’s...
I love OMAAT and appreciate what Ben does. The language annoyances and quirks are part of the charm. My cringe senses flair currently with the “keys” nonsense for rooms but if Ben stopped doing that now, I’d probably miss it. To me, Ben can write what he wants and we can read it or not. On this article, I enjoyed it and read the comments only to confirm that someone else pointed out that it’s not a done deal that Trump’s library gets the plane. That’s not his decision.
::sigh:: would be nice to avoid nonsense articles like this that have no real connection to travel or credit cards.
'Be the (status quo) you want to see in the world.' -- Gandhi (or whatever)
Ben, you've said this "though when Trump leaves office he gets to keep it, as it’ll go into his presidential library" before. I cannot facts to support this. Could you please point me to a reference confirming this?
To be clear. I don't like Trump. I don't want his library getting the Qatari jet. From USA Today online. "Eric Trump said in a July 9 Palm Beach Post interview that the Air Force One with the 29000 tail number ‒ one of the two older planes that the new Qatari plane replaced ‒ will 'be at the base' of his father’s library. The plane slated for the library has decades of presidential history,...
To be clear. I don't like Trump. I don't want his library getting the Qatari jet. From USA Today online. "Eric Trump said in a July 9 Palm Beach Post interview that the Air Force One with the 29000 tail number ‒ one of the two older planes that the new Qatari plane replaced ‒ will 'be at the base' of his father’s library. The plane slated for the library has decades of presidential history, Eric Trump said, including from his father’s first term."
"Yet Trump could face several hurdles to send a retired Air Force One jet to his future library, regardless which plane is targeted. The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force has historically determined the future of military aircraft that are no longer used in official capacity. Air Force One planes replaced in the past have remained in service for some years even after serving as the flagship Air Force One."
He thinks it’s a gift to him, as all the bribes are (see: 1B+ in crypto earnings). No shame.
Thankfully the next Dem prez in 2028 will put an end to that.
UA-NYC, I swear, if the next 'Dem prez' (technically, starting in '2029') is yet another corporate-shill who seeks no accountability and merely pardons (or allows pardons) to be the end of this era, I don't think that's gonna be 'enough' for a lot of folks of 'good conscience.'
Trump is clearly an angry old man with early dementia.The sooner the world realises this and he is replaced it will be a safer place to live in.
I'm all for him flying to the most dangerous locations on earth in the new plane configured exactly as it currently is.
Exactly. Let him. It’s what he wants. “Luxury.”
Oh, hey, 115 days until the midterms... (if you're like not a fan of this or something.)
House guaranteed Blue. Senate 50/50 which is far better odds than a year ago. Esp if Mitch M is done.
Friend, did you see the news this morning? Ladybug.
We are talking about a lumbering, sub sonic, giant of a plane. Security measures (chaff etc) are like putting locks on your doors - they keep honest people out but burglers can still steal your stereo.
Sort of a minor nit here, but any plane on which POTUS is officially flying is designated as Air Force One. So he flew in Turkey on Air Force One (B747-800) and flew out of Turkey on Air Force One ( a 20 year old B747-200).
Minor nitpicking your minor nitpick, there is no such thing as a 747-800, it is a 747-8.
V/F
Nitpicking your minor nitpick, it's a B748
Because those journalists were making up their resources, they should just say that they suspect the safety concern instead of forging the credibility of their articles.
Just like their fake sources about the Earth being round. Or, the fake sources that said we sent a man to the moon. Or, the fake sources that deny Jewish space lasers exist. Or, the fake sources that deny the existence of Commander Thor from behind Ice Wall, who brings the good word of Jesus.
the two (2) b747-8 that are being converted into use for any president as air force one were originally ordered by transaero airlines in russia. when transaero collapsed in december 2015 the b747-8 in question became white elephants and were never delivered to transaero. it would seem to be more efficient to simply maintain the existing air force one b747 aircraft to a high standard rather than waste money on a vanity b747-8 while waiting...
the two (2) b747-8 that are being converted into use for any president as air force one were originally ordered by transaero airlines in russia. when transaero collapsed in december 2015 the b747-8 in question became white elephants and were never delivered to transaero. it would seem to be more efficient to simply maintain the existing air force one b747 aircraft to a high standard rather than waste money on a vanity b747-8 while waiting for the replacement b747-8 to be delivered.
Yes, well, that would make too much sense.
How much did it cost US taxpayers to convert this "free" white-elephant plane that the Qataris were trying to unload for years? They were glad to get rid of it.
And how does this orange turd get to "keep' it? for his "library" in downtown Miami?
I don’t understand the rationale of Trump or his supporters. The President’s safety and security is the most important thing. I can’t stand Trump but I want him to be safe. If safety means using the old plane, FFS use it!
Indeed we all want Mr Trump to remain alive, healthy, and in office. We want nothing to happen that would put JD Vance in the Oval Office.
I'd prefer Hillbilly Bear at this point. He doesn't have the divine aura that the MAGAts think Mango Mussolini has.
It's not obvious only to Trump and his moronic minions. Why is that surprising? Wasted a blog post here.
Let him fly around in his new unsafe plane if he prefers.
hE wAs RiGhT aBoUt EvErYtHiNg…
What does Tim Dunn think ? He is frequently correct about these matters .
Neither UA or DL fly the 748. He’s not interested.
And yet, Unc, Tim gone explicitly MAGA on here a few times, so… (probably less-so for the bigotry, more so for the pro-corporate-greed stuff, but, still…)
Birds of a feather - increasingly deranged megalomaniacs well past their prime
You can book a ride on the new AF1 using points. I hear from a reliable source that a ride can be booked with an approval rating of only 33 points.
I would not be surprised to see Trump sell rides on his new Boeing 747-800 but they will cost a lot more than 33 points:-)
If "... the New York Times really didn’t state anything that I wouldn’t consider to be obvious to someone of average intelligence" then why did the NYT need to grant anonymity to their source(s), and why did they think it was worth publishing? The answer is that there is a difference between "obvious" and "confirmed" to readers and likely also to foreign intelligence services. The source(s) of the information knew that and violated a professional...
If "... the New York Times really didn’t state anything that I wouldn’t consider to be obvious to someone of average intelligence" then why did the NYT need to grant anonymity to their source(s), and why did they think it was worth publishing? The answer is that there is a difference between "obvious" and "confirmed" to readers and likely also to foreign intelligence services. The source(s) of the information knew that and violated a professional responsibility and perhaps a legal boundry. It's reasonable to pursue the identity of the leaker(s), IMO.
Huh? Even McDonald's workers know not to be quoted on how bad the food is.
Journalists always protect their sources. It's how journalism works.
Irrational fear of being harmed is a classic indicator of dementia.
Wake up, America. Your President is loopy.
It appears he is taking an experimental treatment for Alzheimer's. At the NATO conference, he directly referred to Ukrainian President Zelenskyy as President Putin . . . at least four times. And, his not infrequent stammering episodes are characteristic of asphasia.
I'm no Trump fan, and I suspect his mental acuity is failing. But, Trump not recognizing that he has domestic and foreign enemies wanting him dead would be irrational. You have bullets fly past you during a speech, getting clipped with one, and start talking rationality. Why stretch the facts to question his competentcy when easy facts are out there?
Can you book a flight on Air Force One using points? No? Then please stick to points and travel topics on this blog!
Come on dude, he’s only had Trump in the headline in 12% of his last 25 articles. I think Trump should be in about 45-47% of points and miles blog articles.
@ Sel, D. -- Right, would you like to crunch the numbers on what percent of the previous 25 posts had Trump in the headline? Or the 25 before that? Or the 25 before that?
I reported on how Palm Beach Airport's name changed. You would agree that's a legitimate story, right? Just as I've reported on other airport name changes?
Then I posted about the initial Air Force One story, and then this follow-up....
@ Sel, D. -- Right, would you like to crunch the numbers on what percent of the previous 25 posts had Trump in the headline? Or the 25 before that? Or the 25 before that?
I reported on how Palm Beach Airport's name changed. You would agree that's a legitimate story, right? Just as I've reported on other airport name changes?
Then I posted about the initial Air Force One story, and then this follow-up. I get it might not align with your agenda, but let's be realistic about the amount of this content that there is.
Ha - did you change the headline for your next article to omit Trump, just to have it be the first word of the article?
Lucky's website, not yours. He decides on the topic, not you. Don't like it, shove off.
@ Ryu2 -- I hear you, and I understand not everything will be for everyone. I've been writing this blog for 18+ years, and I cover the things that interest me, as long as they involve aviation or travel. For that entire time, that has included plenty of topics that don't involve miles or points. I've covered developments with Air Force One for years, because it interests me, regardless of who is in office.
Lucky, did you charge them for any subscription or what? There’s absolutely no need to reply and explain yourself.
Ben says his blog is for AVGEEKs. He's covered a lot of crazy AVGEEK topics. This article is just another AVGEEK topic. And, since you bring it up, while you can't book a flight on Air Force One with points, you can if you buy $2 million in Trump Crypto.
LLM, again! LOL. Come on Ben, keep your writing authentic! :)
@ Jacques Portgieter -- You've now commented this same thing on three posts in three days, and in exactly zero of those posts was that accurate. So I'm not sure if you're trolling, just confused, or...?
You may well have written it, but your posts have 101% been polished with an LLM recently. That's not a criticism of using AI, but things like your repeated "and then" style always gave your posts some personality. I still enjoy reading it all, just a little disappointed to see some of that uniqueness fade. Thanks for the banter, and try the steak on your next trip review(s) ;)
@ Jacques Portgieter -- I'll order a steak on my next flight if you stop commenting that constantly. Deal? ;-)
Good deal!
I have run my own writing through such models many times and even when it is my own it comes across as AI. Does no one consider LLMs are built on the writing of the well-spoken? No?! Alrighty.
To be fair, I ran the text through HumaLingo, and it came back as 92% AI, 8% human:
"Your text shows several issues, an AI-like tone, repetitive phrasing, uneven rhythm, potential plagiarism, and low readability. These inconsistencies affect its style, flow, and credibility."
Ben?
@ Simon -- That's bizarre, I'm not sure what to tell you. Seriously, read the text... does it sound inconsistent with my writing style? I mean, repetitive phrasing, uneven rhythm, and low readability sounds on brand for me, no? ;-)
Just searching on Google about HumaLingo, I see mention of how "in independent tests, the detection tool proves highly consistent at flagging unedited AI text, but it can be overly sensitive—sometimes falsely flagging completely human-authored...
@ Simon -- That's bizarre, I'm not sure what to tell you. Seriously, read the text... does it sound inconsistent with my writing style? I mean, repetitive phrasing, uneven rhythm, and low readability sounds on brand for me, no? ;-)
Just searching on Google about HumaLingo, I see mention of how "in independent tests, the detection tool proves highly consistent at flagging unedited AI text, but it can be overly sensitive—sometimes falsely flagging completely human-authored text as AI." This post was 100% written by me, and that's all I can say on the topic.
@ Simon -- So interesting follow-up here. Jacques Portgieter had also posted on my Eden Rock St. Barths review suggesting it was AI. I wasn't aware of HumaLingo, but I decided to run my review through that, since I figure now that maybe this is the reason he's making these accusations?
HumaLingo suggests there's a 94% chance that post was AI. Lol. That's exactly the same format I've been using for all my trip reports...
@ Simon -- So interesting follow-up here. Jacques Portgieter had also posted on my Eden Rock St. Barths review suggesting it was AI. I wasn't aware of HumaLingo, but I decided to run my review through that, since I figure now that maybe this is the reason he's making these accusations?
HumaLingo suggests there's a 94% chance that post was AI. Lol. That's exactly the same format I've been using for all my trip reports for years. I'll let you read that, and decide if you think that was AI.
At least now this helps my understand why he keeps commenting this, as I haven't been able to make sense of it.
@Ben - Okay, fair enough. To me, your writing style has been consistent since I've started following your blog daily - at least 8 years ago... unless you secretly had access to an LLM in the 2010s.
@ Simon -- I'd like to think that I'm consistent if nothing else, heh. And I'm usually a very late adapter of technology, rather than an early one, sadly.
Technology or not, some of your writing seems at times verbose and repetitive. "It goes without saying" , "given" Years ago, it was "sprang into action" and overuse of "proactively". Have you thought about making your posts more concise and less repetitive? Just a comment, I still enjoy your blog very much. Thank you.
@Ben
@JDH
Presumably, there is a sweet spot for the length of each blog post. Too short and the reader thinks - "I fought my way through the ads just to read these 3 sentences?!"
To give Ben credit, he is great at stretching something that can be summarized in a sentence (or 3 max) into an entire blog post of 5-7 paragraphs, with interspersed images to take up more scrolling space.
Probably b/c the LLMs are trained using your content. More a case of AI writing like you than the other way around, I think.
Ben’s recent writing sounds exactly as it has since I started reading OMAAT over 10 years ago. Fact. He does great work that many of us enjoy. If you think it sounds too much like LLM-generated content, then perhaps just get your preferred LLM to write you a daily blog and stop bothering with Ben’s work.
Tiresome.
Start your own blog then.
JFC, some of you are exhausting.
republican voters are very passionate about the principle of "free speech" you see, it's not at all a stalking horse for saying bigoted things!