Air Force One to Get New Red, White and Blue Paint Scheme

The U.S. military says the updated presidential jet will feature a patriotic color scheme championed by former President Trump.

Feb. 26, 2026 at 12:23am

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The U.S. Air Force announced that the new Air Force One aircraft will feature a red, white, gold, and dark blue color scheme, replacing the iconic Kennedy-era blue-and-white design. The change was originally proposed by former President Donald Trump, who wanted a more patriotic look for the presidential jet. The military says the new paint job will be applied to two Boeing 747-800 aircraft that are currently being modified to replace the existing Air Force One fleet.

Why it matters

The appearance of Air Force One is an important symbol of American power and prestige around the world. The decision to update the jet's color scheme has been politically charged, with Trump pushing for a more assertive, patriotic look while critics argued the changes would be costly and unnecessary. The final design represents a compromise between the Trump administration's vision and practical concerns about costs and delivery timelines.

The details

The new color scheme will feature a white top half, dark blue bottom, and a streak of dark red running from the cockpit to the tail. A third Boeing 747-8i jet will also be painted in the same patriotic colors. The security modifications to the new Air Force One jets are expected to cost less than $400 million, according to the Air Force.

  • In 2018, former President Trump directed that the new Air Force One jets would ditch the iconic Kennedy-era blue-and-white design.
  • In March 2023, President Joe Biden reversed Trump's decision to change the color scheme.
  • On February 19, 2026, the U.S. military announced the new red, white, gold, and dark blue color scheme for Air Force One.

The players

Donald Trump

The former U.S. president who championed the idea of repainting Air Force One in a red, white, and blue color scheme.

Joe Biden

The current U.S. president who reversed Trump's decision to change the Air Force One color scheme in 2023.

Boeing

The aerospace company that is modifying two Boeing 747-800 aircraft to replace the existing Air Force One fleet.

Pete Hegseth

The U.S. Defense Secretary who formally accepted a luxury Boeing 747 jet from Qatar for use as Air Force One in May 2025.

Troy Meink

The U.S. Air Force Secretary who told lawmakers in June 2025 that the security modifications to the new Air Force One jets would cost less than $400 million.

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What they’re saying

“We want power blue, not baby blue.”

— Donald Trump, Former U.S. President

What’s next

The U.S. Air Force says the new red, white, gold, and dark blue color scheme will be applied to the two Boeing 747-800 aircraft that are currently being modified to replace the existing Air Force One fleet.

The takeaway

The decision to update the iconic Air Force One color scheme has been a politically charged issue, with former President Trump pushing for a more patriotic look and the Biden administration initially reversing that plan. The final design represents a compromise that aims to balance symbolism and practicality, as the U.S. government prepares to unveil a new generation of presidential aircraft.