Trump unveils new Air Force One gifted by Qatar:Calls it a ‘Flying White House’ with unmatched luxury and design

US President Donald Trump on Friday unveiled a new Air Force One aircraft that was previously owned by the Qatari government, describing it as the most luxurious presidential plane ever used by an American president. The customised Boeing 747 was gifted by Qatar last year and has since been modified for presidential use. Speaking at an event held inside a massive hangar at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, Trump said the aircraft had been transformed into a “flying White House” and would project American power and prestige around the world. “This aircraft has been transformed into a flying White House. The world has never seen such luxury before,” Trump said. New design reflects Trump’s preferred colour scheme The aircraft features a dramatically different exterior from the current Air Force One fleet. The traditional light-blue-and-white colour scheme has been replaced with a dark navy-blue underside, topped with a red stripe inspired by the American flag and Trump’s preferred design. The presidential seal has been placed near the boarding entrance, while the US flag is prominently displayed on the tail section. Trump said the aircraft would stand out wherever it landed, whether in London, Germany or any other major destination. “This is how our country should be represented. The colours and design are my choice, and I stand by them,” he said. The President also announced that the aircraft would participate in a flypast during US Independence Day celebrations on July 4. Trump to use aircraft for NATO summit and China visit Trump confirmed that he plans to use the new aircraft for next month’s NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, and later for his planned visit to China in November. He also revealed that he had recently travelled on the aircraft during his visit to France for the G7 Summit. Temporary aircraft until Boeing delivers new fleet The Trump administration has described the aircraft as a “bridge aircraft” that will be used until Boeing completes production of the next-generation presidential fleet. The new VC-25B presidential aircraft were originally scheduled for delivery in 2024, but repeated delays have pushed the timeline back to 2028. Trump said the arrangement became necessary because the replacement aircraft were not available on time. “We were in a difficult situation because the new planes were delayed. I asked the Emir of Qatar whether one of his aircraft could be used. Most presidents would not do that,” he said. Questions raised over Qatar’s gift The aircraft is estimated to be worth around $400 million, prompting criticism from opponents who questioned the ethics and legality of accepting such an expensive gift from a foreign government. Critics argued that accepting a luxury aircraft from another country could raise concerns about influence and transparency. Trump has previously stated that he would not use the plane after leaving office and that it would eventually be donated to a presidential library. Colour scheme revives long-running debate The redesign revives a controversy dating back to Trump’s first term, when he proposed replacing the traditional Air Force One colours with a red, white and navy-blue design similar to that of his private aircraft. Former President Joe Biden later reversed the decision after an Air Force review concluded that darker colours could increase costs and delay delivery of the aircraft. Following his return to office, Trump reinstated the design. The Air Force has indicated that similar colour schemes may also be adopted for aircraft used by cabinet ministers and other senior government officials. Existing Air Force One fleet to remain in service Air Force officials said the current VC-25A aircraft, which currently serve as Air Force One, will remain operational until Boeing’s next-generation VC-25B fleet enters service. During the transition period, the Qatar-gifted aircraft and the existing presidential fleet will be available for official travel, with mission requirements determining which aircraft is used. Air refuelling capability removed Unlike the current Air Force One, the new aircraft does not have aerial refuelling capability. The White House reportedly decided to remove the feature to reduce modification costs, as installing an in-flight refuelling system would have significantly increased expenses. Officials noted that no US president has used aerial refuelling during official travel in the past three decades, as security protocols generally favour refuelling at secure military bases. Despite lacking that capability, the new aircraft offers a longer unrefuelled range than the current fleet. It can fly more than 14,300 kilometres without stopping, making it suitable for most presidential trips around the world. ​