JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. — President Donald Trump unveiled a newly converted Air Force One aircraft Friday at Joint Base Andrews, showing off a former Qatari-owned Boeing 747-8 expected to temporarily carry the president while Boeing’s delayed replacement planes remain years away.
The aircraft, displayed June 19, 2026, inside a hangar at the Maryland military base, features a red, white and navy paint scheme preferred by Trump. The design includes a dark blue underbelly, a red stripe, the presidential seal and a large American flag on the tail.
Joint Base Andrews, located in Prince George’s County, serves as the main departure point for presidential air travel and is home to the presidential airlift mission.
Trump said the plane was needed because the current presidential aircraft are aging and the United States should be represented properly.
“Our country has to be represented properly,” Trump said during remarks at Joint Base Andrews. “We have the greatest military in the world. We have the greatest aircraft anywhere in the world.”
Trump said he asked Qatar’s emir about using the 747 while the United States waits for the new presidential aircraft already on order.
The jet was formerly owned by Qatar and was accepted by the U.S. government last year. The move drew scrutiny from critics who raised ethics, legal and security concerns about accepting a high-value aircraft from a foreign government.
Trump has defended the decision, arguing the aircraft saves taxpayer money while Boeing’s new presidential aircraft remain delayed.
The plane is expected to serve as a temporary “bridge” aircraft for presidential travel until new Boeing VC-25B aircraft ordered for the presidential fleet are delivered. Those replacement aircraft are expected in 2028.
Trump praised the interior and systems on the aircraft, calling it a unique plane built at a high level.
“The workmanship of this plane is, when you see it, you won’t believe it,” Trump said. He also praised the aircraft’s materials, engines and communications systems.
The Air Force said the aircraft has entered the commissioning phase, with additional flights planned to validate its safety, security and communications systems before it becomes available for presidential missions.
Once those flights are completed, the aircraft will be commissioned into the active executive airlift fleet.
Although commonly referred to as Air Force One, the term is technically the call sign used for any Air Force aircraft carrying the president.
Trump said about 250 people worked around the clock to prepare the aircraft for service, including airmen at Joint Base Andrews.
“With the extraordinary devotion of many of you here today, this plane was transformed into a flying White House,” Trump said.
The Air Force has previously said security modifications to the jet would cost less than $400 million.
The aircraft marks a major visual shift from the familiar light-blue-and-white Air Force One design associated with the presidential fleet for decades.
Trump said the updated red, white and blue design reflects the colors of the American flag and called it “a more appropriate look.”
The current presidential aircraft, known as VC-25As, are not being immediately retired. The older jets are expected to remain available until the new Boeing VC-25B aircraft enter service.
The Presidential Airlift Group will determine which aircraft is used for each mission based on operational requirements.
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It’s beautiful!!! I’m an already a very proud American and will be glowing to see that represent the greatness of our country in the air and on the tarmac parked next to other world leaders drab aircraft. Good job Mr President!!
There is no way this meets secret service or military specs- doesn’t even have a refueling valve on the front. The paint scheme is ok- but this is not fit to carry any POTUS- and another grift by the convicted felon.
You’re not crying hard enough. You need to cry harder if you ever want to get anywhere in life.
Good job TRUMP .