President Donald Trump unveiled a converted Boeing 747 that will serve as a bridge Air Force One until new Boeing-built presidential aircraft are delivered, showcasing a red, white and navy design that replaces the longtime light-blue exterior.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
President Donald Trump unveiled a new Air Force One on Friday, presenting a converted jumbo jet formerly owned by Qatar that will serve as a temporary presidential aircraft while the United States waits for new Boeing-built planes.
The aircraft was shown at Andrews Air Force Base, where Trump stepped off the plane before several hundred Air Force personnel as “God Bless the USA,” his signature campaign song, played inside a large hangar.
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The plane features a redesigned exterior that replaces the familiar robin’s egg blue color scheme used since the Kennedy era. The converted aircraft has a navy blue underbelly, a red stripe above it, the presidential seal on the left side where the president boards, and a large American flag on the tail.
“The workmanship of this plane is, when you see it, you won’t believe it,” Trump said from inside the hangar.
The jet is expected to function as a bridge aircraft for presidential travel until two new Boeing planes ordered for the presidential fleet are delivered. Those aircraft are currently expected in 2028.
The Trump administration formally accepted the luxury Boeing 747 from Qatar last year for use as a presidential aircraft. The move drew questions from critics over the ethics and legality of accepting an expensive gift from a foreign government.
Trump has previously said he will not continue using the Qatari jet after leaving office and that the plane would instead be donated to a future presidential library.
The Air Force has said security modifications to the aircraft would cost less than $400 million.
Trump’s interest in redesigning Air Force One dates back to his first administration, when he directed that the next generation of presidential aircraft adopt a red, white and navy paint scheme similar to his personal airplane.
Then-President Joe Biden reversed that decision in March 2023 after an Air Force review found that darker exterior colors could raise costs and delay delivery of the new aircraft. After returning to office, Trump revived the darker color design.
The Air Force said earlier this year that other government aircraft used by senior administration officials will also adopt a similar red, white and navy color scheme.
The current presidential aircraft, known as VC-25As, will not be immediately retired. An Air Force spokesperson told The Associated Press, on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive planning, that the existing jets will remain in the fleet until the new Boeing VC-25B aircraft enter service.
The exact role of the older aircraft remains unclear. The spokesperson said both the converted Qatari jet and the existing VC-25As will be available for presidential travel.
“The Presidential Airlift Group will select the appropriate aircraft for each mission based on operational requirements,” the spokesperson said.
The rollout gives Trump a temporary version of the redesigned presidential aircraft he sought for years while the long-delayed Boeing replacements remain under construction.