Since the presidency of John F. Kennedy, Air Force One has been instantly recognizable with its iconic white and light-blue design.
But former President Donald Trump, who is set to return to office in January, made it clear during his first term that he disliked the color scheme, calling it “baby blue” and stating, “It doesn’t suit us.” Trump pushed for a darker blue design accented with red and white.
However, Trump won’t be boarding a redesigned Air Force One during his upcoming term—or even a new aircraft. Delivery of the two new Boeing 747s ordered in 2018 for Air Force One has been significantly delayed and is now expected to occur no earlier than 2029, according to Business Insider and The Wall Street Journal. That timeline means the jets won’t arrive until after Trump’s second term ends.
Delays and Rising Costs Frustrate Trump
The U.S. government and Boeing initially agreed on a fixed-price contract of $3.9 billion for two new presidential planes, with delivery originally slated for 2024 and 2027. The first plane’s delivery was pushed to 2026, but recent reports suggest both jets will now be delayed until at least 2029. The delay has already increased costs to an estimated $5.3 billion, with Boeing absorbing the overrun.
Trump, reportedly frustrated by the delays, faces the prospect of continuing to use the current presidential aircraft, which have been in service for over 30 years.
Boeing Struggles Add to the Chaos
Boeing’s setbacks extend far beyond Air Force One. In September, a two-month strike involving 33,000 Boeing employees disrupted production. The strike ended only after Boeing agreed to a 38% wage increase. By that time, Boeing’s backlog included approximately 5,400 commercial aircraft orders worth an estimated $428 billion.
The company announced plans to recover losses by ramping up production of its 787 Dreamliner, targeting ten planes per month by 2026. However, the Air Force One delays remain a glaring issue. Former Boeing CEO David Calhoun acknowledged in 2022 that the contract represented a “unique bundle of risks that Boeing probably shouldn’t have taken.”
Trump’s Dream Design Fails Thermal Tests
Adding to Trump’s frustration, his vision for a darker blue Air Force One design will not come to fruition. Thermal studies revealed that the dark blue paint could cause excessive heat buildup, requiring additional testing and modifications. As a result, the planes will likely retain a design closer to the classic white-and-light-blue color scheme.
An Embarrassment for Boeing and a Setback for the Presidency
The delays, cost overruns, and design challenges surrounding Air Force One highlight Boeing’s ongoing production woes and serve as a source of irritation for Trump. For now, the iconic planes will remain unchanged, continuing to symbolize the presidency even as their much-anticipated replacements remain grounded in production limbo.
