Isabella Flores
In 2018, the US Air Force signed a $3.9 billion contract with Boeing to design, modify, test, certify and deliver two 747 planes to replace the older Air Force One aircraft. The new planes, expected to be delivered in 2024, will feature a new paint scheme – a red, white and dark blue colour palette, replacing the light blue and white design that has been in place since the Kennedy administration. While the new paint job was initially blocked in 2019 to keep replacement costs within budgetary constraints, the Trump administration pushed for the change, with the former president noting the resemblance of the new design to the planes used in Trump Shuttle, an airline he owned from 1989 to 1992.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Current Colour Scheme | Light blue and white |
| New Colour Scheme | Red, white and dark blue |
| Aircraft | Boeing 747-8 |
| Number of Aircraft | 2 |
| Previous Paint Job Cost | $3.9 billion |
| New Paint Job Cost | N/A |
| Additional Costs | Increased heat generation of the darker paint scheme |
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What You'll Learn
Trump's Air Force One paint job was blocked in 2019
The Pentagon revealed the new paint scheme for Air Force One in 2020, which people noted resembled Trump's private jet. Trump's attempts to give Air Force One a new look were blocked in 2019, although the plans were included in the proposed defence budget for 2020. Connecticut Representative Joe Courtney added a provision to prevent the paint job, citing the need to keep the cost of replacing Air Force One within budgetary constraints.
Trump had expressed his desire to change the paint job on the new Air Force Ones since 2018, opting for a red, white, and dark blue colour scheme instead of the light blue and white scheme designed by former President Kennedy and first lady Jacqueline Kennedy. The House Armed Services Committee expressed concern over potentially unnecessary and costly changes to the aircraft upgrade and sought to require congressional approval for alterations to the paint scheme and interior design.
Trump shared the first renderings of the redesigned aircraft in June 2019, and observers noted the resemblance to the former Trump Shuttle planes he managed before his presidency. While the amendment requiring congressional approval did not make it into the final fiscal 2020 National Defense Authorization Act, the final decision on the plane's paint colour and design was not set until 2021, leaving the possibility that it would not change if Trump was not re-elected.
The new Air Force One, with its revamped paint job, was expected to be delivered in 2024 and would provide the president, staff, and guests with safe and reliable air transportation, maintaining the same level of security and communications capability as the White House.
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The new paint job will be red, white and dark blue
The cost of painting Air Force One is not publicly available. However, the paint job and redesign of the presidential aircraft have been a topic of discussion and speculation. Former President Trump proposed changing the aircraft's paint scheme from the light blue and white design chosen by former President Kennedy and first lady Jacqueline Kennedy to a new red, white, and blue color scheme. Trump shared the first renderings of the redesigned aircraft in June 2019, and the House Armed Services Committee expressed concern about unnecessary and costly changes. The final decision on the paint color and design was expected in 2021, but it is unclear if any changes were made following the 2020 election. President Biden's press secretary stated that he had “not spent a moment thinking about the color scheme of Air Force One." The new Air Force One is expected to be delivered in 2024, and it remains to be seen whether the color scheme will be updated.
The new paint job, if it proceeds with the proposed red, white, and dark blue color scheme, will likely involve significant costs. The choice of colors and design will have an impact on the overall expense. Additionally, the size and unique requirements of the aircraft will contribute to the cost. Painting a plane the size of Air Force One, which is based on a Boeing 747, will require a substantial amount of paint and specialized equipment to complete the job.
The process of painting Air Force One is expected to be a complex and time-consuming task. It will likely involve multiple coats of paint to achieve the desired color and finish. The plane's surface will need to be prepared, which may include sanding, priming, and applying a base coat before the final colors are applied. The red, white, and dark blue design may require additional care to ensure crisp lines and an aesthetically pleasing result. The dark blue color, in particular, may necessitate multiple coats to achieve the desired depth and richness of color.
The cost of labor will also be a significant factor in the overall expense. Specialized painters with experience in aircraft painting will need to be hired, and their rates are likely to be higher than average due to the unique nature of the job. The labor-intensive process will require a significant amount of time, further adding to the cost. Additionally, the use of any specialized equipment or materials may incur extra expenses.
The choice of paint will also impact the cost. Aircraft-grade paint is designed to withstand extreme conditions and must meet specific safety and performance standards. The paint must be durable, flexible, and able to withstand high altitudes and varying temperatures. The use of high-quality paint will ensure the finish lasts for many years and can further increase the cost.
Overall, the new paint job for Air Force One, in red, white, and dark blue, is expected to incur significant costs due to the size of the plane, the complexity of the design, the specialized labor and equipment required, and the choice of high-quality paint. While the exact amount is not publicly available, it is likely to be a substantial expense as part of the overall aircraft modification and upgrade process.
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Boeing will pay for the new paint job
In 2018, the Air Force signed a $3.9 billion contract with Boeing to design, modify, test, certify, and deliver two 747 planes to replace the older aircraft. The new Air Force One is expected to be delivered in 2024.
The new paint scheme for Air Force One, replacing the design that has been in place since the Kennedy administration in 1962, was part of the proposed modernization of the aircraft. The new paint job would feature a red, white, and blue color scheme as opposed to the current light blue and white.
The House Armed Services Committee was worried that Trump would seek unnecessary and costly changes to the aircraft upgrade. In June 2019, Connecticut Representative Joe Courtney added a provision preventing the paint job, saying it would keep the cost of replacing Air Force One within budgetary constraints.
However, Boeing was going to pay out of pocket for all the costs associated with the new paint job. The darker paint scheme would have required additional modifications to cool some of the components, potentially driving up costs.
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The darker paint scheme may increase costs
The cost of painting Air Force One has been a topic of discussion in recent years, with former President Trump proposing a new paint scheme for the presidential aircraft. The new design, featuring a red, white, and dark blue colour scheme, would replace the light blue and white design created by former President Kennedy and first lady Jacqueline Kennedy.
While the exact cost of painting Air Force One is not publicly available, there have been concerns about the potential additional costs associated with the new paint scheme. The darker paint scheme may increase costs due to the need for additional modifications to cool certain components. The Air Force noted that the darker paint could result in higher temperatures, requiring changes to how specific parts are cooled to prevent overheating.
Furthermore, the new paint job may have required recertification of certain equipment, leading to further costs. The increased heat generation from the darker paint could have impacted the performance of onboard equipment, necessitating recertification to ensure their safe and effective operation. These additional costs were a factor in President Biden's decision to scrap the new paint scheme proposed by his predecessor.
It is worth noting that Boeing, the manufacturer of the new Air Force One planes, had agreed to cover the costs of the new paint scheme. However, there were concerns that they might attempt to renegotiate the price due to the required modifications, potentially driving up costs for taxpayers. The final decision on the paint colour and design was expected to be made in 2021, with the new planes scheduled for delivery in 2024.
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The new Air Force One is expected to be delivered in 2024
The new Air Force One was initially expected to be delivered in 2024. However, there have been delays in the project, and the delivery date has been pushed back. Boeing, the company contracted to build the new jets, has faced various challenges, including supply chain and workforce issues. The first jet is now expected to be delivered in 2029 or even later, according to sources.
The new Air Force One jets are intended to replace the older aircraft currently in use. The US Air Force signed a contract with Boeing in 2018 worth $3.9 billion to design, modify, test, certify, and deliver two 747 planes. This deal has proven challenging for Boeing, with significant losses and delays.
Former President Trump expressed his desire to change the paint job on the new Air Force One jets, preferring a red, white, and dark blue color scheme over the previous light blue and white design. The final paint job decision was made in 2021, with the new design reminiscent of Trump's private jet.
Amid the delays in delivering the new Air Force One jets, the Air Force explored alternative options, including a potential replacement plane from Qatar. In 2025, an agreement was reached between the US Defense Secretary and Qatar for the unconditional donation of a Boeing jet to the Pentagon. The jet is expected to be retrofitted for presidential use, with the official cost classified but estimated to be less than $400 million.
While the delivery of the new Air Force One jets has been delayed, the project remains a priority for Boeing and the US government. The jets are designed to provide safe and reliable transportation for the President, staff, and guests, with the same level of security and communications capabilities as the White House.
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Frequently asked questions
The cost to paint Air Force One is unknown, however, the contract awarded to Boeing for two next-generation Air Force One planes was $3.9 billion.
The new colour scheme for Air Force One is red, white and dark blue.
President John F. Kennedy designed the original colour scheme with the help of first lady Jacqueline Kennedy and industrial designer Raymond Loewy.
Trump wanted to change the colour scheme because he wanted to depart from the old design and create a new pattern reminiscent of the former Trump Shuttle planes.
