President Showcases Upgraded Boeing 747 Featuring Patriotic Red, White and Blue Design as Temporary Presidential Aircraft Ahead of Long-Delayed Fleet Replacement
President Donald Trump unveiled a new Air Force One jet on Friday, introducing a modified Boeing 747 that was gifted by the Qatari government.
During an unveiling ceremony held at the Andrews Air Force Base hangar, Trump presented the former Qatari-owned jumbo jet, highlighting its new patriotic color scheme and upgraded luxury features.
“This plane was transformed into a flying White House at a level of luxury that nobody has ever seen before,” Trump told reporters.
The president marked the debut of the aircraft by making an inaugural exit from the jet and signing the mechanical panel of his new presidential aircraft.
The aircraft’s underbelly now features a red, white and blue color scheme inspired by the American flag, replacing the previous light blue design. The left side of the plane displays the presidential seal, while the tail is adorned with a large American flag.
The current Air Force One aircraft have been in service since 1990 and are approaching 40 years of operation.
Boeing has spent years developing their replacements, known as the VC-25B fleet. However, the project has encountered repeated delays and is not expected to be completed until around 2028. The newly unveiled jet is expected to serve as an interim solution until the next-generation Air Force One aircraft are delivered.
Trump credited U.S. Air Force personnel for designing the new presidential aircraft.
“Our pilots, designers, and engineers prepared an aircraft that is the largest Air Force One ever built. It flies further and faster than any Air Force One [ever] ... and which is among the most beautiful aircrafts the Air Force will ever see or operate,” he said.
The administration formally accepted the aircraft from Qatar in 2025 for use as the presidential airplane. However, critics argue that accepting such an expensive aircraft from a foreign government raises ethical and political concerns.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom criticized the move in a post on X, writing: “Trump is so laser focused on affordability that he spent $400M retrofitting his ‘flying palace.’”
Trump has defended the decision, arguing that using the aircraft will save taxpayers money while the next generation of Air Force One planes remains delayed.
He has also previously stated that he would not use the Qatari jet after leaving office and that the aircraft would instead be donated to a future presidential library.
According to the president, his return from the Group of 7 summit in France this week marked the final planned trip aboard the current Air Force One.
Trump said the new Air Force One will conduct a flyover during the July 4 celebrations. He also announced that he will use the aircraft to travel to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit in Ankara, Turkey, in July.
