President Donald Trump today unveiled the new Air Force One, a luxury Boeing 747 jet gifted by Qatar and extensively converted for presidential use. This “bridge” aircraft features a dramatic navy blue and red stripe livery, designed to Trump’s personal taste, replacing the traditional robin’s egg blue. The customized jet, intended for high-profile international travel, will serve until new Boeing-ordered planes arrive in 2028, with security modifications reportedly costing less than $400 million.
President Donald Trump today unveiled the nation's new Air Force One, a magnificent Boeing 747 luxury jet previously owned by Qatar, now transformed into the official U.S. presidential aircraft.
Marking a dramatic departure from the traditional Kennedy-era robin's egg blue, the customized jet sports a striking navy blue underbelly accented by a bold red stripe. The presidential seal adorns the left side, where the President embarks, while a massive American flag proudly decorates the tail. This “bridge” aircraft is set to serve until the specially ordered new planes from Boeing arrive, currently anticipated in 2028.
Elizabeth Frantz | Reuters
"This plane was transformed into a flying White House at a level of luxury that nobody has ever seen before," Trump declared from inside a massive hangar at Andrews Air Force Base. Addressing hundreds of assembled Air Force personnel after disembarking the new plane to the strains of his signature tune, "God Bless the USA," he emphasized the aircraft's unparalleled prestige.
Trump confirmed plans to utilize the new jet for the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, next month and hinted at a return to China "at some point," likely referencing the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit scheduled for November. His recent return from the Group of 7 summit in France reportedly marked his final journey aboard the previous Air Force One.
"Now, when we land at airports in London and in Germany and different places, nobody tops this one, and that's the way we have to have it for our country," Trump asserted, acknowledging that the colors and design were "to my taste, I will say." He also announced a special flyover by the new Air Force One during the July 4 celebrations.
The administration formally accepted this luxury Boeing 747 from Qatar last year, a move that drew questions regarding the ethics and legality of receiving such a substantial gift from a foreign government. Trump has consistently maintained that the Qatari jet would be donated to a future presidential library once his term concludes, rather than being used for personal post-presidency travel.
Addressing delays in the delivery of new jets directly from Boeing, which were initially slated for 2024 but have faced postponements, Trump recalled his request to the emir of Qatar for the use of one of their planes. "See, a normal president wouldn't do this. A normal president wants to stay away from aircraft," Trump stated. "But our country has to be represented properly."
Elizabeth Frantz | Reuters
The Air Force confirmed in a news release today that any aircraft designated Air Force One must adhere to stringent security protocols. They further stated that the Qatari plane underwent modifications using a "disciplined engineering approach that prioritized these exact core capabilities above all else," while retaining "much of the previous head of state interior layout." The security enhancements for the jet were previously estimated to cost less than $400 million.
Trump's vision for the presidential aircraft's aesthetics dates back to his first administration, where he advocated for a color scheme nearly identical to his personal jet. Although then-President Joe Biden reversed this decision in March 2023, citing potential cost increases and delivery delays associated with darker colors, Trump reinstated his preferred design upon returning to office.
It was also announced earlier this year that other government jets transporting top administration officials would adopt a similar red, white, and navy color scheme. An Air Force spokesperson, speaking anonymously, clarified that the two existing VC-25A planes would not be retired but would remain in the fleet until the new VC-25B Boeing jets become operational. The spokesperson indicated that both the Qatari jet and the VC-25As would be available, with the Presidential Airlift Group selecting the appropriate aircraft for each mission based on operational requirements.
