President Donald Trump on Friday unveiled a newly refurbished presidential aircraft at Joint Base Andrews, touting its size, luxury and updated red, white and blue paint scheme as the Air Force prepares the jet for service.The Boeing 747-8i, donated by the government of Qatar and modified for presidential use, is expected to serve as an interim Air Force One while Boeing continues work on two delayed VC-25B replacement aircraft.Standing alongside Air Force leaders and service members, Trump said the aircraft's most noticeable feature is its size."The biggest difference is the difference in size.It's like virtually double the size," Trump said.AIR FORCE ONE SCRAPS ICONIC KENNEDY-ERA PAINT SCHEME FOR TRUMP-APPROVED RED, WHITE, BLUE DESIGNThe Air Force said the aircraft will soon begin commissioning flights, a final phase of testing before entering operational service."The safety and security of the commander in chief is our highest priority," Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said.
"From the beginning, we meticulously evaluated every requirement to accelerate delivery while maintaining the high standards expected of the presidential mission."Trump said he sought the aircraft after becoming frustrated with delays to Boeing's Air Force One replacement program and growing comparisons between the aging U.S.presidential fleet and newer aircraft operated by foreign governments."I asked the Emir if we could use the brand new 747," Trump said, noting the aircraft had relatively few flight hours and describing the current presidential fleet as aging.WHATEVER HAPPENED TO: THE QATAR AIR FORCE ONE JETUS President Donald Trump steps out of the new Air Force One, gifted to him by Qatar, in a hangar at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on June 19, 2026.
(Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP)"Our country has to be represented properly," he added.The aircraft features Trump's preferred red, white and dark blue color scheme, replacing the light blue-and-white design that has defined presidential aircr...