President Trump unveiled the new Air Force One presidential aircraft at Joint Base Andrews on June 19, 2026
Joint Base Andrews, Maryland — June 19, 2026
President Donald Trump unveiled a striking new Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews on Friday — a presidential aircraft painted in a bold red, white and blue livery that ends more than six decades of the iconic light blue design first chosen by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy.
President Donald Trump introduced a new presidential aircraft at Joint Base Andrews: a luxury jet donated by the government of Qatar that has been painted red, white and blue and adorned with the words "United States of America."
President Trump spoke after touring the newly designated Air Force One presidential aircraft. He said the hangar in which he was speaking had to be specially constructed to house the new jet, which is much larger than the previous plane.
The U.S. Air Force said it delivered its new VC-25B Bridge aircraft to the Presidential Airlift Group at Joint Base Andrews, where it will begin commissioning flights before entering service as part of the executive airlift fleet known as Air Force One.
Gone is the light blue color scheme first conceived by Jaqueline Kennedy and used on the presidential aircraft ever since. In its place is a navy blue and white fuselage, cut through with red stripes.
The updated design also features a gold stripe, adding a fourth color to the new look. An Air Force spokesperson confirmed the redesign is now an official requirement across the entire presidential and executive fleet, including the donated Qatari 747-8i and the two Boeing VC-25B jets currently being converted to serve as the next generation of Air Force One.
President Trump previously explained his reasoning for the change: "Now we have — I think it's a stronger system — and it's red, white and blue, but it's the blue in the American flag, which is a darker color. We have a plane that will represent us for a long time, and very well."
The plane is intended to bridge the gap between the two aging modified Boeing 747-200s, which have flown as Air Force One since 1990, and two new planes Boeing is modifying that won't be done for roughly two more years.
"The biggest difference is the difference in size," Trump said, adding that the new plane is larger. The plane is intended to relieve pressure on the aging VC-25A fleet, which has faced increasingly lengthy maintenance cycles.
Air Force officials said the aircraft was outfitted with secure communications systems and other mission-critical technology needed to support presidential travel and continuity-of-government operations.
Trump added that the new aircraft will lead a massive flyover of Washington on July 4th, the nation's 250th birthday — making this unveiling a deliberate prelude to one of the most significant national celebrations in American history.
The aircraft will soon begin "commissioning flights," described as its "final exam" before it can be used to transport the president.
The new $400 million plane was gifted by Qatar — a donation that has drawn both praise and scrutiny since it was first announced.
"Fresh from receiving its new red, white, and blue livery and the final government modifications, the aircraft has entered service to provide critical, secure continuity for the commander in chief," the Air Force said.
The new Air Force One will undergo its final round of commissioning flights in the coming weeks before officially entering presidential service. Its first major public moment will come on July 4, 2026, when it leads a historic flyover of the nation's capital as America marks 250 years of independence.
DeSanta News will continue to follow the rollout of the new Air Force One ahead of its July 4th debut.
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