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Washington Today
By the People, for the People
Air Force Unveils New Air Force One Paint Scheme
The updated design features red, white, dark blue, and gold colors.
Published on Feb. 20, 2026
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The U.S. Air Force has announced a new paint scheme for its executive airlift fleet, including the next-generation Air Force One aircraft. The redesign features a color palette of red, white, dark blue, and gold, marking a departure from the current white and two-tone blue livery. The new design revives elements of former President Donald Trump's proposed red, white, and blue scheme that was previously scrapped due to overheating concerns. The Air Force has not provided details on how the new design addresses those thermal issues.
Why it matters
The Air Force One program has faced delays and cost overruns, and the new paint scheme is part of the ongoing efforts to upgrade the presidential aircraft. The updated design is intended to modernize the look of Air Force One, which has maintained a similar appearance since the Kennedy administration.
The details
The new livery will be applied to the VC-25B, the military designation for the Boeing 747-8i aircraft that will serve as the next generation of Air Force One. Additionally, four modified Boeing 757-200s used to transport the vice president, cabinet members, and other senior government officials will also receive the new paint scheme during regularly scheduled maintenance. One of the 757-200s has already been repainted and is expected to be delivered in the coming months.
- The U.S. Air Force announced the new paint scheme on February 17, 2026.
- The VC-25B aircraft, which will serve as the next-generation Air Force One, is expected to be delivered in 2028.
The players
U.S. Air Force
The military branch responsible for the Air Force One program and the executive airlift fleet.
Boeing
The aerospace company that is building the next-generation Air Force One aircraft, the VC-25B.
Donald Trump
The former U.S. president who proposed a red, white, and blue paint scheme for Air Force One, which was later scrapped.
Joe Biden
The current U.S. president, whose administration rejected Trump's previous paint proposal.
L3Harris Technologies
The defense contractor that has been tapped to overhaul a Boeing 747 formerly used by the Qatari government for use as an interim Air Force One.
What’s next
The Air Force has not provided details on how the new design addresses the thermal concerns that doomed Trump's previous paint proposal. The VC-25B aircraft is expected to be delivered in 2028, replacing the current Air Force One fleet.
The takeaway
The new Air Force One paint scheme is part of the ongoing efforts to modernize the presidential aircraft, which has faced delays and cost overruns. While the updated design revives elements of a previous proposal, the Air Force has not addressed how it will address the thermal concerns that led to the rejection of that earlier scheme.
