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U.S. President Donald Trump has unveiled a newly designated Air Force One aircraft, a former Qatar-owned Boeing 747 refurbished for use as the U.S. presidential plane, showcasing its redesigned exterior and outlining its intended role on upcoming international trips.
The aircraft features a revised paint scheme that departs from the traditional Kennedy-era light blue design, according to The Associated Press (AP).
Instead, it carries a darker aesthetic with a navy-blue underside and a red stripe, while the presidential seal is displayed on the boarding side and a large American flag is painted on the tail.
“This plane was transformed into a flying White House at a level of luxury that nobody has ever seen before,” Trump said during remarks inside a hangar at Joint Base Andrews, where several hundred Air Force personnel were present.
His appearance followed a ceremonial exit from the aircraft, accompanied by his signature song “God Bless the USA.”
The president said he plans to use the aircraft for upcoming diplomatic travel, including a NATO summit in Ankara next month, and hinted at future trips to China, referring to a likely Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting scheduled for later in the year.
He added that his recent return from the G7 Summit marked the final trip on the previous presidential aircraft.
“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 said, adding that the design reflected “my taste, I will say.”
He also indicated that the aircraft would take part in a flyover during next month’s July 4 Independence Day celebrations.
The refurbished jet, originally acquired from Qatar, is intended as an interim presidential aircraft until Boeing delivers newly ordered models, which are now expected in 2028.
The administration accepted the aircraft last year amid debate over the propriety of receiving such a high-value gift from a foreign government. Officials have said the plane would eventually be donated to a presidential library after its service.
Trump said the United States faced a “little bit of a logjam” awaiting delivery of the Boeing-built replacement jets, noting that he had previously requested access to aircraft from Qatar.
“See, a normal president wouldn’t do this. A normal president wants to stay away from aircraft,” Trump said Friday. “But our country has to be represented properly.”
According to the Air Force, any aircraft designated as Air Force One must meet strict security standards, and the Qatari plane has been upgraded under an engineering process designed to meet those requirements while retaining parts of its original interior layout.
Officials said the modification work is expected to cost under $400 million.
Trump has long pushed to reshape the appearance of the presidential aircraft. During his first term, he proposed a new colour scheme for the incoming fleet, which was later reversed under the Biden administration in 2023 due to concerns it could raise costs and delay production. After returning to office, Trump reinstated his preferred design.
The Air Force also confirmed that existing presidential aircraft will remain in service alongside the new jet until Boeing’s next-generation planes are delivered. A spokesperson said the aircraft assignments will depend on operational needs, and that both the Qatari jet and current fleet will remain available for presidential transport.
