President Trump’s plane turns around before heading to Davos
President Trump’s plane was diverted out of an abundance of caution after a “minor electrical failure.”
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Air Force is rolling out a new livery in a red, white, navy blue and gold color palette across its executive airlift force, including next-generation Air Force One aircraft, the service announced Feb. 17.
The new design marks a departure from the current two-tone white and blue color scheme that dates back to the days of President John F. Kennedy, and revives elements of former President Donald Trump’s proposed red, white and blue color scheme, which was phased out in 2022 after the Air Force determined that darker colors could cause overheating issues.
The redesign applies to VC-25B, the military designation for the Boeing BA.N 747-8i aircraft that serves as Air Force One.
The Air Force One program involves converting two 747-8 aircraft into specialized jets with advanced communications and defense systems that will serve as the air transport for the next generation of U.S. presidents. The effort is four years behind schedule, with delivery currently expected in 2028.
As a stopgap measure, the US government hired defense contractor L3Harris Technologies LHX.N to overhaul the Boeing 747 that the Qatari government was using as interim Air Force One.
In 2025, the United States accepted a Boeing 747 luxury jetliner as a gift from Qatar. The White House asked the Air Force to quickly upgrade the gift for use as Air Force One.
In addition, four modified Boeing 757-200 aircraft used to transport the vice president, Cabinet members, members of Congress and other government officials will receive a new livery, the Air Force announced.
The 757-200 aircraft will receive a new livery during a scheduled maintenance period. The Air Force says one of the jets has already been repainted and is expected to be delivered in the coming months.
The Air Force did not provide details on how the new design would address the thermal concerns that doomed President Trump’s previous paint proposal, but the Biden administration rejected the proposal, finding it “could require additional technology, time, and cost.”
The Air Force One program has faced delays and cost overruns since Boeing agreed to a $3.9 billion firm-fixed-price contract in 2018 to deliver two improved 747-8s to replace the current jets. The two new jets Boeing is currently working on will cost more than $5 billion to build. The current Air Force One aircraft entered service in 1990.
In December, the Air Force purchased two used 747-8 aircraft for $400 million to establish crew training and spare parts support ahead of the transition from aging 747-200s.
(Reporting by Mike Stone in Washington; Editing by Franklin Paul, Rosalba O’Brien and Diane Craft)
