Trump retires historic Air Force One, unveils Qatar-gifted luxury jet

President Donald Trump on Friday unveiled a new Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, a Boeing 747-8 gifted by the Qatari government and valued at approximately $400 million. The unveiling marked the retirement of the historic aircraft that has transported U.S. presidents for more than three decades.

The previous Air Force One, a Boeing 747-200B designated with tail number 29000, completed its final flight early Thursday morning, carrying Trump back to Washington from the Group of Seven summit in France. White House Communications Director Steven Cheung announced the retirement on social media with a photograph of the departing aircraft, writing "Well done, good and faithful servant. The Last Ride." The aircraft entered service during the administration of George H.W. Bush from 1989 to 1993.

The new jet, officially designated VC-25B Bridge Aircraft by the U.S. Air Force, has undergone extensive modifications by defense contractor L3Harris Technologies. The aircraft features a new livery painted in red, white, dark blue, and gold—a departure from the robin's egg blue exterior that characterized the previous presidential aircraft for decades. The presidential seal appears on the left side where the president boards, while the tail displays a large American flag.

Trump toured the interior of the aircraft at Joint Base Andrews and praised its construction and materials. "This plane was transformed into a flying White House at a level of luxury that nobody has ever seen before," Trump said during remarks in a newly constructed hangar built to accommodate the larger jet. "When you see it, you won't believe it, actually, the quality of woods, the quality of the materials, the quality of the engines." Trump stated the aircraft was "built at a level that will probably never be seen again" and called it "the world's most luxurious plane."

The gift from Qatar was offered last year as an "unconditional" donation to the United States. Trump previously stated he would be "stupid" not to accept the offer. The $400 million valuation of the aircraft far exceeds the federal limit on unsolicited gifts, which stands at $50 in value per calendar year from a single source, a discrepancy that has drawn political criticism.

The U.S. Air Force confirmed that modifications to the jet included upgrades in security, mission communications, logistics support, and advanced technology. The Air Force stated that any potential threats from the previously owned aircraft have been "neutralised." The aircraft will undergo initial commissioning flights—described as a "final exam"—to test the modifications before it enters regular service transporting the president.

Trump thanked the Emir of Qatar during the unveiling ceremony. The new aircraft will serve as a temporary or "bridge" solution until new aircraft from Boeing arrive for the presidential fleet. The jet's size nearly doubles that of the previous Air Force One, and Trump noted it would allow the United States to be "represented properly" as he travels internationally, ending what he characterized as a "ridiculous" situation where other world leaders possessed more imposing aircraft.