Donald Trump unveiled the new Air Force One this Friday before a crowd of military personnel and media in a hangar at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.
The aircraft is a Boeing 747-8 donated by the government of Qatar valued at 400 million dollars, which replaces the historic presidential plane that served for over 35 years.
Trump descended the steps of the enormous jet and delivered a speech to those present. "There will never be another like it. This is considered the most luxurious plane in the world."
"When it was built, it was built to a level that will probably never be seen again," stated the president.
The U.S. Air Force confirmed in an official statement that the aircraft, named VC-25B Bridge aircraft, arrived at Andrews on Friday and will soon begin "commissioning flights," described as its "final exam" before entering active service to transport the president.
The institution described it as "safe, secure, and equipped with the most advanced technologies necessary to meet the requirements of the presidential mission."
The airplane debuts a completely different livery from the iconic sky blue design that Raymond Loewy created for the Kennedy administration in the 1960s.
The new paint scheme features white on the top, a central red stripe with framed windows, and dark navy blue on the bottom, along with the inscription "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" in black letters and the presidential seal on the fuselage.
The hangar where the presentation took place had to be specially constructed to accommodate the new aircraft, which is significantly larger than its predecessor.
Trump also announced that the new Air Force One will lead a massive flyover over Washington on July 4, 2026, when the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary.
The Air Force indicated that it prioritized operational availability over aesthetics, which is why the interior was minimally modified.
This means that the luxurious leather and lacquered wood finishes originally designed for the Qatari royal family are preserved.
The historic plane, a Boeing 747-200B that served since the administration of George H. W. Bush, completed its final presidential flight on Thursday, when it transported Trump back to Washington after the G7 summit in France.
The White House Communications Director, Steven Cheung, posted a photo of the device with the message: "Well done, good and faithful servant. The final journey."
The acceptance of the Qatari aircraft generated political and legal controversy since it was announced in May 2025. Democratic critics and some Republicans argued that the gift could violate the Emoluments Clause of the Constitution, which prohibits federal officials from accepting gifts from foreign governments without Congressional approval.
Concerns about national security were also raised. The Prime Minister of Qatar clarified that it was a transaction between governments, not a personal gift to Trump.
The president firmly defended the decision: "Why should our military be forced to pay hundreds of millions when it can get it for FREE from a country that wants to reward us for a job well done? Only a FOOL would reject this gift.", he wrote on Truth Social.
The use of the Qatari plane is temporary: it will serve as a bridge until Boeing completes the construction of two new presidential planes, which are expected to be delivered in 2028, at an estimated cost of 5.6 billion dollars.
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