Us aviation geeks tend to be more interested in aircraft liveries than the average person. Along those lines, the United States Air Force jets that carry the country’s top leaders will soon be getting a new look, inspired by Trump’s personal plane.
In this post:
Top US Air Force jets will get red, white, gold, and blue livery
It has been confirmed that part of the fleet of planes used for Air Force VIP transport will progressively be getting a new paint scheme. Perhaps most significantly, keep in mind that Trump will soon be getting a new Boeing 747-8 that will act as Air Force One, which was a gift from Qatar.
This plane will ultimately go into Trump’s Presidential Library, and is intended as an interim solution, until the two purpose-built modified Boeing 747-8 jets, which are designated as VC-25Bs, are delivered (they’re years behind schedule and billions over budget, given all the modifications required).
Those won’t be the only planes getting the new livery, though. The Air Force also has eight modified Boeing 757-200s, designated as C-32As, which are used for VIP transport, including of the vice president and other top White House officials. Four of those eight planes are expected to get the new livery, and the first of those has just been repainted.
Going as far back as the Kennedy administration, these planes have been painted in a white and baby blue livery. However, Trump has decided that he wants these planes painted in a red, white, gold, and dark blue livery.
This is obviously inspired by Trump’s personal Boeing 757-200, in the past referred to as “Trump Force One.” Obviously it’s a bit different, but I think we all know where the gold inspiration is coming from. 😉
Trump’s new Boeing 747-8 is expected to be in service as soon as this summer, while the four Boeing 757-200s that are expected to get the new livery will get that work done during scheduled maintenance. As mentioned above, the first plane has now been repainted, and it should be flying again in the coming months.
Trump has been wanting this new livery since his first term
The concept of Trump pushing for a new livery for Air Force One and other prominent Air Force jets is nothing new. Trump first presented the new livery during his first term, in 2019.
At the time, Trump said that “Air Force One is going to be incredible,” and “it’s going to be the top of the line, the top in the world, and it’s going to be red, white and blue, which I think is appropriate.”
However, in 2023, Biden reversed Trump’s plan to introduce a totally different livery on the upcoming new Air Force One jets. Biden chose to stick to tradition with the new design, with only some minor changes compared to the previous livery, intended to make it look more modern.
The Biden administration also claimed it was rejecting Trump’s proposed livery for another reason — a thermal study concluded that the dark blue in the design would require additional FAA qualification testing for several commercial components, due to the added heat in certain environments.
Of course now we’re seeing Trump go back to what he wanted the first time, and reversing Biden’s reversal.
Bottom line
It seems that Trump will be getting his wish in terms of the new paint scheme for Air Force One, which will be red, white, gold, and blue. Not only that, but other top Air Force jets used for VIP transport will also get this new livery. This is quite a departure from the old baby blue and white livery, which has been used by the government for decades.
What do you make of the new Air Force One livery?
the chance of his new quatari plane having a proper retrofit before 2029 is about zero. If it is flying before then, they will have cut corners and put him and everyone traveling with him at risk. I don't like him but I don't want to see a planeload to staff and press go down.
True, the color scheme matches the Trump paint scheme, the new breed of Americans will like it i'm sure. But take into consideration the the original 747 paint layout has been an icon for decades. You can go to any country in the world, show a picture of Air Force One, and it will be immediately recognizable as The United States of America, not just the aircraft, but the Free Democracy and power of the World
I don’t like it! We could make better use of taxpayer money.
A waste of money when unemployment and inflation are high, just to satisfy the mega ego of DJT. Will he ask for his name on the exterior of the plane? Does he have any idea of economics and cost of doing things his way?
Great livery for any president of the USA; represents the colors, ilo the blue. That little gold stripe barely visible.
OK. I do not endorse D T or most of his etc, but the paint scheme appeals to me. 20 years as a 747 driver. The designer should get credit, not D T. Why refit with security of the gifted plane. It will not fly as a presidential carrier? As an ex president he must pay for the upkeep and operational cost.. Fat chance of him spending anything, just get gifts from admirers.
I am surprised that he isn’t painting his plane gold with a crown on the nose.
Waste of money as the next
President will repaint it.
Also will repair the building with Trumps names
On them to what they should be.
No harm done. It's very attractive. Considering that he's working for free, his saved salary will pay for it.
The Trump haters with TDS will slam it just because he came up with it.
Those immature mentally ill clowns are beyond help.
Do you work for the government?
@francisco, nearly everyone who works for the government hates the current occupant. the question is are you an appointee who doesn't actually have to interact with him. I think those are the only people who don't hate him.
Your are correct Ralph. However be careful of who pays for what on the "Gifted" plane".
Trump is so wealthy because rent-free in whacky leftists heads. Haters gonna hate.
Everything Dump touches comes out worse.
thats precious little fella
Sick!
Oh look - a GOLD stripe on the Autopen version ....
Both designs are mediocre, but the new proposed design looks to be a USPS Air Force special. The original Qatari design is better than both.
One more waste of tax payer dollars. Instead of focusing on issues that American’s need, this administration is pumping the ego of our commander in chief who cares nothing about any of us.
Why not just paint it in the El Al genocide colours and name the aircraft after Epstein
President Trump has proven he has the insight, vision, and leadership to guide the United States. I love the current design of AF1, but it's time for a change. The new design and color scheme is beautiful. I fully support the President ordering the change. The USA operates the larges 'airline' in the world, no different than the paint scheme updates by Delta, United, American, British Airways, Alaska Airlines, British Airways, and more. Do it!
Regarding the repainted Air Force Two:
I actually think it’s an improvement. While I found the old livery more original & prefer its color palette, the one on the 757 looked awkward, with the way the cheatline sloped up toward the nose.
Trump’s livery looks a bit like a generic private jet (the outgoing livery had the colors of the USAF seal/logo), but it still looks nice IMO, and with lighter red &...
Regarding the repainted Air Force Two:
I actually think it’s an improvement. While I found the old livery more original & prefer its color palette, the one on the 757 looked awkward, with the way the cheatline sloped up toward the nose.
Trump’s livery looks a bit like a generic private jet (the outgoing livery had the colors of the USAF seal/logo), but it still looks nice IMO, and with lighter red & blue it’d look a lot more like a US government plane. at least it’s better than a typical private jet livery, as it has thick, straight lines instead of thin, swoopy, meaningless ones.
The best livery for the 757/C-32, though, is the one on the Gulfstream (C-37), which has the blue underbelly and thin gold cheatline but no awkward curves towards the nose.
If the planes needed repainting then repaint. But if not, why repaint the two planes if they are going to be replaced before needing repainting?
Can you book a flight on Air Force One with points? If not, then can you please keep this blog to travel and points-related topics please?
I like Kennedy's livery. And I also like Trump's livery because even a 'classic' design needs a break from circulation. Pity the TDS-afflicted can't seem to get their heads out of their arses and judge something on its own merit..
Like the horrendously tacky flag execution and 1980s esque use of gold?
Everything Trump touches dies. He is among so many other things a person who simply cannot appreciate class.
The "Kennedy Era" livery is classic and timeless.
And lets think a moment about where else this money might be used.
I like the 1960s livery, but it could benefit from a minor refresh.
Trump’s new livery is 1980's “fine” (except for the tail). An elegantly stylized flag would have been far better than what feels like a truck-stop printed flag - the kind you see at gas stations, and they look awful and cheap.
With that said, it certainly won’t be the worst government livery out there. Unfortunately, that distinction likely belongs to Boris Johnson...
I like the 1960s livery, but it could benefit from a minor refresh.
Trump’s new livery is 1980's “fine” (except for the tail). An elegantly stylized flag would have been far better than what feels like a truck-stop printed flag - the kind you see at gas stations, and they look awful and cheap.
With that said, it certainly won’t be the worst government livery out there. Unfortunately, that distinction likely belongs to Boris Johnson for the redesign of UK government and military aircraft. Tacky.
Politics aside, I have to say that I don’t mind this livery. It looks fairly elegant, although Trump shouldn’t spin it as “patriotic” because of the gold, and because the blue and red are too dark to look like the American flag IMO. I’d still say it looks good though.
That said, it’s definitely not as original as the other livery, with the dark blue and gold cheatline, light blue engines, and the upward/downward...
Politics aside, I have to say that I don’t mind this livery. It looks fairly elegant, although Trump shouldn’t spin it as “patriotic” because of the gold, and because the blue and red are too dark to look like the American flag IMO. I’d still say it looks good though.
That said, it’s definitely not as original as the other livery, with the dark blue and gold cheatline, light blue engines, and the upward/downward curves at the nose (it’s kinda bothersome how the curves aren’t symmetrical though, and how the upper deck isn’t entirely blue, but whatever). I also prefer its lighter color palette.
I’d say it’s a step down because it’s less unique, and the blue and red are too dark/“saturated” IMO. But I still like it, and at least it looks cleaner & more straightforward than the previous one (no pun intended).
I understand there is going to be a ballroom in the rear of the plane. A big beautiful ballroom.
The biggest, beautifullest ballroom the world has ever seen.
TDS is real
Fully agree Tim - Trump Devotion Syndrome seems to totally paralyze his sycophantic bootlicking followers
Instead of being able to engage in an adult conversation, everything that anyone comments that doesn’t 100% agree with your veneration of our Pedo President is “TDS”. I agree, TDS is real. Those of you who venerate and built up this morally bankrupt sociopathic liar are the afflicted. No American President before, and likely after Trump, would ever have the pathological need to be so adored, to be so trusted that they believe what he...
Instead of being able to engage in an adult conversation, everything that anyone comments that doesn’t 100% agree with your veneration of our Pedo President is “TDS”. I agree, TDS is real. Those of you who venerate and built up this morally bankrupt sociopathic liar are the afflicted. No American President before, and likely after Trump, would ever have the pathological need to be so adored, to be so trusted that they believe what he says even though their eyes plainly see the opposite. Once he takes his “gift” home with him for his library - which we all know won’t happen as he will dump that 757 in a flash - faster than he dumped the mother of his first 3 children for the mother of his 4th, or faster than he does the mother of his 4th for the mother of his 5th! So go ahead and keep on adoring the man that’s robbing our treasury blind because as soon as he’s out the door again it won’t be too long before he’s arrested - again, and our next President will quietly change the livery back to the true AF1.
That's where someone with debt of $38T should spend its money. A financially prudent decision.
Imagine: Governments can do several things at once.
I can agree the the old design looks too 1960's.
But the new design look 1980's to me. All the "ex TWA" comments support that thought.
If we're going to update the look, then let's update it.
Ok, so red, white & blue is more patriotic.
...But aren't the new design's shades for both the red & blue too dark ?
I'm thinking of the USA Flag as the official shades.
I can agree the the old design looks too 1960's.
But the new design look 1980's to me. All the "ex TWA" comments support that thought.
If we're going to update the look, then let's update it.
Ok, so red, white & blue is more patriotic.
But aren't the new design's shades for both the red & blue too dark ?
I'm thinking of the USA Flag as the official shades.
And I always thought one reason for "sky" blue, light grey & white was to help camouflage the plane while airborne, particularly as seen from the ground.
For daytime flights, that dark navy blue seems like it would be the opposite.
If Trump was a normal President I'd say it's incredibly stupid for him to not fly on his specially modified planes intended to resist EMPs and other effects of a nuclear strike, but actually I think we're better off in a nuclear war situation with him dead or unable to communicate with the military. So more power to him, fly the sketchy Qatari planes!
Current Raymond Loewy livery is iconic and distinctive. Trump’s new one is bland and generic and will get lost in a sea of uninspired aircraft paint jobs. Could be any corporate jet found at FBO’s around the world or late 1980’s/early 1990’s commercial carriers. Yawn. I am so tired of Trump and his enablers. How much longer?
You can’t see the iconic Raymond Loewy design without thinking about JFK. No one will look at this very mundane design and not think about Donald Trump. I predict that future Presidents would rather identify with JFK than Trump. Fortunately, it’s just paint.
I'm just here to simp over some 747s
Honestly, so many other things to get riled up over. However, the color of Air Force One is down at the bottom for me - it can always be changed. Personally, I'm more disturbed by the new wing at the White House that is way out of proportion and the pending renovations at the Kennedy Center that will most certainly destroy its modernist lines.
The tail looks like a PowerPoint clipart.
I agree. The tail looks odd. I am not a design expert, but there had to be a better way to incorporate the stars and stripes. Oh, and as for the gold accents, those should be left for the faucets and toilet seats inside, rather than the exterior (note sarcasm).
RED WHITE AND BLUE. FINALLY!!! BEAUTIFUL.
Does bribery have a color?
It looks like TWAs last paint job, didnt care for that one nor why waste the $$$ on this one.
What's patriotic about it?
I don't get it. I'm happy to call out Trump when it matters (lots right now!) but this livery actually looks pretty good imo. Excited to see it fly. The origin and story of the plane and where it'll end up, however, is another matter entirely....
this is a revised TWA livery = Trump World America
There's not just one Kennedy style. The 757 livery is different from the 747-200 livery, particularly around the cockpit.
The new style is not modern, lacking curves. The flag design is kind of old looking.
This change shows someone was lying about darker colors not being possible. I suspect it was a Biden life because Joe is senile. Trump also is developing dementia, too. JD should take over.
As a politically neutral observer, I think that the colour scheme and markings are most acceptable. However, the colour scheme would look much nicer still emblazoned upon an Airbus A380 …. :-)
I know …. Take cover!
Not a Trump fan but IMO this is an upgrade
Agreed. You could put a picture of this new livery and say "this is the Biden design that trump veto'd" and everyone here would say this looks so much better. So sad that everyone has turned into a sheep and puts no objective thought into anything. . Ive never voted for him but i never understood the delusional hate. Must be a sad way to go through life.
Not to worry, these will be repainted in 2029 as we scrub all the hideous, tacky Trump aesthetic from our country.
Just like any etching of his name à la the Kennedy Center will be ripped off on Day 1. Good riddance.
Can the USAF paint the radome bright red? That would complete the livery IMHO.
Bringing American supremacy to the world, one (re)painted plane at a time. /s
Very much against Sleepy Joe but that 2023 colour scheme was timeless and in good taste.
Who would you rather be?
Sleepy Joe, or Shitting Donnie?
Your “president” shits into his diaper in front of dozens of people. He falls soundly asleep in front of hundreds. But you do you.
This liberal blogger will make any excuse to attack our President. We all can see through his liberal agenda and this article is once again just another attack piece.
Lot of support for the Pedo in Chief, u alright?
@UA-NYC, I think he had his windows down while being downwind from rolling coal on some bicyclists.
Then why are you here @Dave Stafford? Seems like you would be more comfortable in the hate crimes section of Twitter.
It’s a horrible livery. Blue is too dark and the flag wave looks terrible. Make the flag flat, lighten the blue or a gradient of blue and remove gold. Red is not bad.
Dave Stafford then go read some where else. It's his website and he can say whatever he feels like. You trolls crack me up. Get a life
Thank you for taking time away from furiously masturbating to pictures of our President to post this important update.
This is a great way to travel to Epstein Island in style!
Shades of the final TWA livery.
Yep. I thought the same.
There is a point to be made that the livery should reflect national flag colors, and I say this as someone who has always admired the baby blue. That said, if we're gonna go ahead and change it - this one just doesn't cut it. Not terrible, just not memorable or elegant at all (unlike the baby blue).
He's so focused on things that matter to the average person. I'm sure food and medical costs are going to come down any day now.
The flag on the tail should be upside down
The flags are generally reversed on the right side of the aircraft to signify the direction the flag would blow in the wind. So it is technically correct. Look at any US carrier that paints the flags on their aircraft and you'll see the same.
Think you missed the symbolism bruh
Upside down. Blue on the bottom. Sign of distress by the flag code.
I suspect the poster was actually suggesting upside down. This is a method to signal distress.
If the first new 747 is the ex-Qatar version then it’ll have almost none of the existing Airforce One technology and defensive capabilities. It’ll just be a big taxi to fly the Orange Ape around. Basically useless to the Government during a crisis.
Orange Ape? Would you refer to Joe Biden or Barack Obama as an Ape?
No. Because they are not.
The Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City epitomized the Orang Utan's style.
Say what you want but this new livery is absolutely stunning compared to the current design.
LOL!
We get it, you’re gay and hate Trump. Painting the plane our national colors is patriotic. That is factual and you don’t need to put quotations around “patriotic”.
@ Thomas -- I'm not sure what me being gay has to do with anything. I put "patriotic" in quotes because he also decided to add gold to it.
Thomas we get it, you’re an incel groyper who loves to defend pedos
Gay people are some of the nicest people you'll ever come across. Aside from Ben who's blog I've been on and has supported since 2009-2010, here are some names below:
-Sam Champion
-Robin Roberts
-Gio Benitez
-Brian Kelly (The Points Guy)
While I don't know them personally, they've been a fixture in my home for years if not decades whether on TV or the internet especially Sam as I've watched him since...
Gay people are some of the nicest people you'll ever come across. Aside from Ben who's blog I've been on and has supported since 2009-2010, here are some names below:
-Sam Champion
-Robin Roberts
-Gio Benitez
-Brian Kelly (The Points Guy)
While I don't know them personally, they've been a fixture in my home for years if not decades whether on TV or the internet especially Sam as I've watched him since I was a toddler, and they're some of the nicest people you'll ever come across.
Thomas, time for a time out. Come back when you can act like an adult and not be a bigot. Have a nice nap!!
Better, a coma.
TIL our national colors are gold and... what is that, burgundy?
Thomas clearly you are a bigot so why do you continue to ready this blog since it's written by a gay man?
Why shouldn't he have the scheme he wants? The taxpayers are going to pay ca. 4 billion dollars to convert this gift craft into Air Force One, and then it will go to the Trump library after he leaves office in 2029 (?). The paint scheme is pretty trivial in comparison.
The scheme is going on the C-32A as well as DHS BBJ.
And while nothing to do with anything but your username, I myself was torn being fiscal conservative, but I feel like I lean more towards being fiscally responsible. More like Nelson Rockefeller if that makes sense.
One more thing to reverse when this national embarrassment is gone. Well he admires Russia so much…they had deStalinization we’ll have de-shitturdification
Clearly an update on the paint design was needed, but obviously just like United Delta Air Canada when you change the paint some people like it others don't.
I'm surprised US is still flying and painting 757s. Seriously? Time to replace them.
Oh wait you would probably want the 321xlr,.so oops stick with the 757's
Fuguly just like the designer.
Surprised it is not entirely gold with his face on it as he looks at Turkmenistan for ideas. Imagine the interior - 19th century bordello Cholesterol do your thing.
Hopefully that arch he is squandering money on will be his mausoleum.
He is white-livered and red-faced.
He is deformed, crooked, old and sere,
Ill-faced, worse bodied, shapeless everywhere;
Vicious, ungentle, foolish, blunt, unkind;
Stigmatical in making, worse in mind.
Still, he's a better President than you are a poet, and NO, this doesn't mean that he's any good.
GAWDY!!!!
Awesome! MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!
Moron.
Libtard!
Please explain how this does that.