In a move that is turning heads in both aviation and political circles, Qatar’s royal family, famed for maintaining one of the world’s most extravagant private jet fleets, is quietly parting ways with some of its largest aircraft. Among the most notable departures is a lavishly outfitted Boeing 747, a plane that found its way into the hands of the US President Donald Trump, who has long voiced his frustration over delays in replacing Air Force One.
Some observers have speculated that this could be a strategic gesture to gain favor with Trump. But insiders familiar with the matter suggest a much simpler motivation: the Qatari royals simply have no further use for the aircraft. After unsuccessful attempts to sell the jet, which has been listed on the market since 2020, giving it away could be a practical solution to avoid mounting costs of maintenance and storage.
For Qatar’s rulers, who have previously given away similarly luxurious aircraft and possibly mothballed others, this trend mirrors a broader global shift. Demand for massive, highly customized planes is fading, as fuel efficiency and discretion become more desirable. “Like many forward-thinking nations, Qatar is moving towards a fleet of leaner, more versatile aircraft that better suit official travel and offer improved economics,” says Lionus Bower, managing director of Dubai-based BAA and Partners. He adds that handing over the jet to Trump would be “a creative disposal strategy” and marks a farewell to a more ostentatious era of air travel diplomacy.
Nestled on the Arabian Peninsula with some of the world’s richest reserves of oil and gas, Qatar enjoys the fourth highest per capita GDP globally. This wealth has allowed the House of Thani to assemble a dazzling collection of jets, including around a dozen Airbus and Boeing airliners transformed into flying palaces, alongside smaller private jets.
The Boeing 747 in question, registered as A7-HBJ — the initials of Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, former Prime Minister — is a centerpiece of the royal fleet, managed by Qatar Amiri Flight. Delivered in 2012 at a list price of \$367 million (before an interior fit-out that reportedly took three years and cost tens of millions more), the HBJ Jet is a masterpiece of comfort and design. Far from the standard 747, which seats over 460 passengers, this version hosts just 89 in unparalleled luxury, complete with bedrooms, entertainment spaces, and interiors featuring rare woods, silk, and leather, crafted by Parisian designers Cabinet Pinto.
Despite its prestige, the 747’s time may be passing. Its four engines guzzle fuel at a rate that no longer matches today’s economic and environmental realities. Operating costs reportedly soar to $23,000 per hour, and airlines worldwide have shifted towards more efficient models like the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350. Qatar is not alone: royal families and governments across the Middle East and Europe, from Saudi Arabia to Germany, are trading in their flying palaces for sleeker, safer, and less conspicuous jets.
Security is another concern. Large, high-profile aircraft pose a greater risk, and as fleets shrink, maintaining older 747s becomes increasingly challenging and expensive, with fewer specialized mechanics available.
Ultimately, handing over the 747 to Donald Trump — or anyone else prepared to take it — would be a win-win: Qatar sheds a costly, aging asset, and Trump gets the type of jet he’s long coveted. For the House of Thani, it’s simply a matter of practicality. For the world, it’s one more sign that the era of the airborne super-palace is coming to an end.