“A flying White House” is how United States President Donald Trump has described the latest incarnation of the US presidential jet, Air Force One, in a speech to mark the unveiling of the plane at Joint Base Andrews on 19 June 2026.
The Boeing 747-8 aircraft, to be known as VC-25B “Bridge”, was gifted “unconditionally” to the US administration in 2025 by the Qatari government and has undergone a refurbishment. Trump presented the makeover at the Maryland airbase, calling the new-look jet, “the world’s most luxurious plane.”
“The workmanship of this plane is when you see it, you won’t believe it,” Trump said, adding: “Actually, the quality of woods, the quality of the materials, the quality of the engines – these engines are the finest, they’re the best in the world, nothing like it.”
AIR FORCE ONE | 25-3300@USAirForce✈️🇺🇸🦅 pic.twitter.com/pMqxY3twkM
— Dan Scavino (@Scavino47) June 20, 2026
“Everything was designed good. It was my taste, I will say,” he told crowds. Noting the new “more appropriate” colour scheme, changed from the traditional pale blue chosen by Jacqueline Kennedy in the 1960s, to the colours of the Stars & Stripes flag, he said: “I like the color of the American flag, right? That makes sense.” The “Old Glory” flag on the tail has also been tweaked. “We put the wave in it,” Trump explained. “We’ve always gone with a straight little noodle, and I never loved that.”
Questions were raised at the time of the Qatari donation last year, with critics pointing out a plethora of concerns about the implications of a gift worth estimated to be worth $400 million from a foreign power, well over the legal limit of $50. But on Friday, Trump insisted the gift is “really an honour.” He added: “I want to thank the Emir of Qatar.”
The exterior modifications mean that the plane now very much resembles Trump’s own private jet. But the Qatari head of state’s choice of interior decor in the plane is reported by the Air Force to have been left almost untouched, with lie-flat seating, tan panelling, and gold light fixtures.
The VC-25B Bridge aircraft has officially arrived at Joint Base Andrews!
— U.S. Air Force (@usairforce) June 19, 2026
More info: https://t.co/xhurcI0mjL pic.twitter.com/zyUpB99jqm
Though some updates were binned in order to get the aircraft delivered on schedule, Troy Meink, secretary of the Air Force, said in a statement: “The safety and security of the commander in chief is our highest priority.” He explained: “From the beginning, we meticulously evaluated every requirement to accelerate delivery while maintaining the high standards expected of the presidential mission.”
In terms of first outings for the new jet, the Air Force has announced forthcoming “exam” flights to test the modifications. Mount Rushmore may be one of the destinations that form part of this year’s 250th US Independence Day celebratory calendar, as well as a fly-by of the US Capitol. The plane is intended to be a stopgap until two purpose-built aircraft costing between $3.7 and $5 billion are ready in 2027 or 2028.
Lovers of aviation history may be pleased to hear the old Air Force One Boeing 747-200Bs that were in use since the 1990s will be “fixed up a little bit, not like this one, and we’ll do museums,” Trump said. “They’re great planes, they’re great history.”
