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President Donald Trump viewed his upgraded Boeing 747, a gift from Qatar, at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland as it prepared to join the Air Force One fleet. The aircraft was extensively refurbished by defense contractor L3Harris Technologies, featuring a new red, white, dark blue, and gold livery that Trump personally selected. This addition provides a more modern, luxurious aircraft for the president, his team, security personnel, and media traveling aboard. The exact cost of the upgrade remains undisclosed, and some experts express concerns about whether the rapid modification process compromised the aircraft’s security compared to existing Air Force One planes.
The upgrade involved security enhancements, improved communication systems to prevent eavesdropping, and missile defense capabilities. Officials clarified that, despite skipping some planned modifications for the next-generation presidential aircraft, the refurbished plane met presidential standards. The U.S. government accepted the Qatar-gifted luxury 747 amidst questions about the hefty expense of the gift. Trump dismissed criticisms, stating it would be “stupid” to refuse the offer.
Retrofitting the aircraft was a costly process, with estimates suggesting it could exceed $1 billion due to added security and technological upgrades. Meanwhile, Boeing’s program to deliver two dedicated 747-8s under a $3.9 billion contract is significantly delayed, with initial deliveries now expected around mid-2028—well past Trump’s term, which ends in January 2029. The project’s costs have escalated to over $5 billion, with Boeing reporting $2.4 billion in charges.
The new livery departs from the traditional white and blue design, instead featuring a bold red, white, dark blue, and gold scheme, also applied to the VC-25B aircraft—designation for the Boeing 747-8—and four modified Boeing 757-200s used for transporting senior officials. The revamped design revives elements of the red, white, and blue palette that Trump previously advocated but were dropped in 2022 due to concerns about overheating from darker colors.
President Trump also announced upcoming international trips, revealing plans to visit Turkey and return to China later in 2026. He mentioned that President Xi Jinping is scheduled to visit the U.S. in September and that Trump himself would attend a major conference in China later in the year.
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