JOINT BASE ANDREWS, MARYLAND- U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled a refurbished Boeing 747-8i as the new Air Force One on June 19, 2026, at Joint Base Andrews (ADW) in Maryland. The aircraft, previously owned by Qatar, will begin commissioning flights before carrying the president in early July 2026.
The jet now wears a red, white, and navy blue livery that replaces the robin’s egg blue scheme used by presidential aircraft since the George H. W. Bush administration. The plane will operate as a bridge aircraft until Boeing delivers the long-term VC-25B fleet, expected by 2028.
Trump Gets New US Air Force One
Trump said he approached the Emir of Qatar to acquire the aircraft after growing frustrated with delays to Boeing’s Air Force One replacement programme. He also pointed to rising comparisons between the aging U.S. presidential fleet and newer aircraft flown by foreign governments.
“I asked the Emir if we could use the brand new 747,” Trump said, noting that the jet had logged relatively few flight hours. He defended the decision directly, stating that a typical president would avoid such a move but that the country must be represented properly.
The Qatari jet will serve as a bridge aircraft to ferry the president until the new planes ordered from Boeing arrive, most likely by 2028. The U.S. Air Force formally designated the aircraft as the VC-25B Bridge aircraft.
New Livery and Visual Identity
The Boeing 747-8i now carries a red, white, and navy blue exterior, with a wavy U.S. national flag on the tail.
Trump described the change as both a size and design upgrade, saying the new jet is virtually double the size of the previous aircraft.
He acknowledged the long history of the older baby blue livery but said the time had come for a change. “These are the new colours, red, white, and blue. We liked the baby blue, but it was time for a change,” Trump said, adding that he preferred the colours of the American flag.
Commissioning Flights and Security Standards
The U.S. Air Force said the aircraft will soon begin commissioning flights, which it described as the plane’s final exam before it can transport the president.
The service stressed that any aircraft designated Air Force One must meet rigorous security requirements.
According to the Air Force, the Qatari plane was modified under a disciplined engineering approach that prioritised these core capabilities above all else. The service has previously stated that security modifications to the jet would cost less than $400 million.
Upcoming Public Appearances
Trump said the new Air Force One will perform a flyover during the July 4 celebrations at the National Mall, as the United States marks its 250th Independence Day. He added that he will also fly the jet to the NATO summit in Turkey next month.
The president’s return from the Group of Seven summit in France on June 18, 2026, marked the last planned trip aboard the older Air Force One.
Relieving the Aging VC-25A Fleet
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach said the service was proud to deliver the VC-25B Bridge aircraft to the president. The Air Force said the delivery fulfils an imperative to relieve pressure on the aging VC-25A fleet as heavy maintenance cycles extend.
The service added that the bridge aircraft safeguards the continuity of presidential airlift operations until the long-term Boeing VC-25B enters service.
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