U.S. President Donald Trump formally unveiled a new presidential aircraft on Friday, presenting a Boeing 747 donated by the government of Qatar and valued at approximately $400 million as the latest addition to the presidential fleet while marking the retirement of the long-serving Air Force One aircraft.
The ceremony took place at Joint Base Andrews near Washington, where Trump arrived to showcase the aircraft, designated by the U.S. Air Force as the VC-25B Bridge Aircraft. The event coincided with the retirement of the previous Boeing 747-200 that had served American presidents for more than three decades. Trump used the occasion to thank Qatar’s leadership for the gift, stating, “I want to thank the emir of Qatar.”
The aircraft’s donation generated significant controversy after it was disclosed, prompting concerns among lawmakers about potential conflicts of interest and questions regarding foreign influence over presidential security. The acceptance of the jet led to scrutiny in Congress and sparked debate over the implications of a foreign government providing an aircraft intended for presidential use.
Addressing those concerns, the U.S. Air Force said Friday that the aircraft had undergone extensive modifications and was fully equipped to meet presidential mission requirements. In a statement, the Air Force said the jet is “safe, secure and equipped with the most advanced technologies necessary to meet the requirements of the presidential mission.”
Earlier this year, Air Force Secretary Troy Meink stated that adapting the donated aircraft for presidential service would cost an additional $400 million. The modernization work was carried out in the United States to prepare the aircraft for government operations.
During the unveiling ceremony, Trump praised the aircraft’s features and design, describing it as a flying White House equipped with an unprecedented level of luxury. He also highlighted the aircraft’s size, noting that it is substantially larger than the presidential aircraft it replaces.
The new jet enters service as a temporary solution while Boeing continues work on two new VC-25B presidential aircraft ordered under a fleet modernization contract signed near the end of Trump’s first term. Those aircraft, based on Boeing 747-800 models, are expected to be delivered in 2028. The Qatar-donated aircraft now joins the presidential transport fleet alongside the existing aircraft currently in service.
The aircraft also introduces a new exterior design. Painted in white, maroon and navy blue, the jet departs from the light-blue color scheme that has defined U.S. presidential aircraft for decades. Trump praised the revised appearance during the presentation, describing it as more elegant and aligned with his preferences.
Trump said the aircraft would take part in upcoming Independence Day celebrations and is expected to fly over the White House and the U.S. Capitol during Fourth of July events. He linked the occasion to the broader commemoration of the 250th anniversary of American independence, celebrations that his administration has begun promoting.
The unveiling came hours after White House officials paid tribute to the outgoing Air Force One aircraft, which first entered service in 1990 under President George H.W. Bush. White House Communications Director Steve Cheung described the aircraft as a “good and faithful servant” in a social media post marking its retirement.
The outgoing aircraft had faced maintenance challenges in recent years. Earlier this year, a minor electrical issue forced it to return during a planned presidential trip, requiring Trump to continue his journey aboard a smaller aircraft not specifically configured for presidential operations.
While the White House has not detailed the future role of the retired aircraft, the Air Force said the existing VC-25A and other executive transport aircraft will remain part of the active fleet. A spokesperson told CNN that the VC-25B Bridge Aircraft will soon operate alongside the VC-25A and the modified Boeing 757 known as the C-32, which is commonly used to transport the vice president, first lady, cabinet members and, on occasion, the president.
