Donald Trump unveils new Air Force One, a converted Qatari jet
Consensus Summary
Donald Trump unveiled a new Air Force One on June 20, 2026, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, featuring a converted Boeing 747 originally owned by Qatar. The jet, designated VC-25B, replaces the aging VC-25A fleet and includes a bold red, white, and navy color scheme matching Trumpās personal airplane. The Qatari gift, valued at over $400 million for security modifications and $1 billion total, serves as a temporary solution until two new Boeing jets arrive in 2027 and 2028. Trump defended the decision, emphasizing the need for a luxurious and modern aircraft to represent the U.S. globally. The old Air Force One (tail number 29000) will retire to a museum, while tail number 28000 remains in service. The new jet will debut during the July 4 flyover and be used for upcoming summits, including NATO in Ankara and APEC in China. Critics raised ethical concerns about accepting the gift, but Trump dismissed them, calling the jet a necessary upgrade.
ā Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Donald Trump unveiled the new Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, on June 20, 2026.
- The new Air Force One is a converted Boeing 747 originally owned by Qatar, gifted to the U.S. and designated VC-25B.
- The new jet features a navy blue underbelly with a red stripe, presidential seal on the left side, and a massive American flag on the tail.
- The Qatari jet is serving as a 'bridge' aircraft until two new Boeing VC-25B jets are delivered in 2027 and 2028.
- The cost of converting the Qatari jet is estimated at $1 billion, with security modifications costing less than $400 million.
- The two current VC-25A jets (tail numbers 28000 and 29000) will remain in the fleet until the new VC-25Bs arrive.
- Trump stated the new jet will be used for the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, next month and the July 4 flyover in Washington, D.C.
- The new jetās color scheme (red, white, navy) matches Trumpās personal airplane design, reversing a Biden-era decision.
- The old Air Force One (tail number 29000) will be retired and sent to a museum, while tail number 28000 will continue in service.
- Trump dismissed criticism of accepting the Qatari jet, calling it a necessary upgrade to represent the U.S. properly.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The Qatari jetās conversion cost ($1 billion) and the original $3.7 billion price tag for the new Boeing jets have ballooned to $5 billion.
- The Qatari jet was previously unsold and its conversion raised concerns about diverting funds from the Sentinel ICBM modernization program.
- The new jetās interior includes a framed print of a duck swimming in the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool.
- The Qatari jetās hourly operating cost is $180,000ā$200,000, compared to Trumpās personal jetās $12,000ā$16,500 per hour.
- Trump thanked the emir of Qatar, calling him 'a fantastic guy' who 'went through a lot over the last few months.'
- The new jet will lead the 'biggest flyover in American history' on July 4 for the U.S. 250th anniversary.
- Trump said the new jet would be used for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in November, hosted by China.
- Trump recalled asking the emir of Qatar for use of one of their planes, stating 'a normal president wouldnāt do this.'
- The Air Force confirmed the Qatari jet meets rigorous security requirements and prioritized core capabilities in its conversion.
- The old Air Force Oneās last planned trip was Trumpās return from the Group of 7 summit in France.
- The new jetās unveiling was accompanied by Trump stepping off the plane to 'God Bless the USA' playing.
- The Air Force spokesperson (anonymous) stated the Presidential Airlift Group will select the appropriate aircraft for each mission.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian states the new jets were originally scheduled for 2024 but delayed to 2027 and 2028, while The Age and SMH say they are slated for 2028 only.
- The Guardian mentions the Qatari jetās conversion cost is $1 billion, but The Age and SMH do not specify this exact figure, only that security modifications cost less than $400 million.
- The Guardian notes the Qatari jet was previously unsold and its conversion raised concerns about diverting funds from the Sentinel ICBM program, which is not mentioned in The Age or SMH.
Source Articles
āA flying White Houseā: Donald Trump unveils the new Air Force One
With an underbelly painted navy blue with a red stripe above and plush interiors, the formerly Qatari-owned jumbo jet is the apple of the US presidentās eye.
Trump unveils new Air Force One, a converted Qatari 747
New craft, called VC-25B Bridge, had provoked protest since $400m jet wildly exceeds limit on unsolicited gifts Donald Trump unveiled the new, temporary Air Force One at a hangar at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Friday, a day after White House officials bid farewell to one of two Boeing 747s used to transport presidents for more than 30 years. The new jet, designated VC-25B and decked out in a punchy red, white, dark blue and gold livery, was gifted to Trump by the Gulf emirate of Qatar, pro
āA flying White Houseā: Donald Trump unveils the new Air Force One
With an underbelly painted navy blue with a red stripe above and plush interiors, the formerly Qatari-owned jumbo jet is the apple of the US presidentās eye.