WASHINGTON (MNN); US President Donald Trump on Friday unveiled a newly converted Air Force One aircraft, a former Qatari-owned Boeing jumbo jet that has been redesigned to serve as the official presidential plane.
The aircraft features a new colour scheme, replacing the traditional light blue design used for decades with a bold combination of navy blue, red and white. The presidential seal is displayed near the boarding entrance, while a large American flag adorns the tail section.
Speaking at Andrews Air Force Base, Trump described the aircraft as a “flying White House” equipped with an unprecedented level of luxury. He made the remarks after arriving aboard the aircraft before a gathering of Air Force personnel.
The president confirmed that he plans to use the new aircraft for next month’s NATO summit in Ankara, Türkiye, and indicated that it could also be used for future international visits, including a possible trip to China later this year.
Trump said the redesign reflects American prestige and argued that the United States should be represented by the finest presidential aircraft when travelling abroad. He also announced that the plane would participate in a flyover during Independence Day celebrations on July 4.
The aircraft, gifted by Qatar and later modified for presidential use, is intended to serve as a temporary “bridge” aircraft until the new Air Force One fleet ordered from Boeing is delivered. Those aircraft are currently expected to enter service in 2028 after significant delays.
The administration formally accepted the luxury Boeing 747 from Qatar last year despite criticism and concerns regarding the ethics and legality of receiving such a valuable gift from a foreign government.
Trump reiterated that he would not continue using the Qatari aircraft after leaving office and said it would eventually be donated to a future presidential library.
He blamed delays by Boeing for the need to use the interim aircraft, noting that the delivery of the new presidential fleet had originally been expected in 2024.
The US Air Force stated that the aircraft underwent extensive modifications to meet strict security and operational requirements while retaining much of its original head-of-state interior configuration.
Officials also confirmed that the current presidential aircraft fleet, known as the VC-25A, will remain operational until the next-generation VC-25B aircraft officially enter service. Both the modified Qatari jet and existing aircraft will remain available for presidential missions based on operational needs.