Photos: inside Trump’s new Air Force One 747

Air Force One is the world’s most famous jet, even though it’s not actually a singlr, specific plane – that famous callsign is assigned to any aircraft carrying the US President.

But aviation trivia aside, next year will see a luxurious new Air Force One jet take to the skies.

It’s a Boeing 747-8 previously owned by the Qatari royal family, and controversially ‘gifted’ by the Qatari government to replace the current presidential jumbo jet, which has been in use since the 1990s.

Frustrated by a decade-long delay with Boeing’s official Air Force One 747-8 program – the US$4 billion jets are not expected to be handed over until 2029, after Trump leaves office – the US president pushed for this ex-Qatari 747-8 to become a temporary Air Force One.

Valued at roughly US$400 million, it’s a flying palace boasting bedroom suites with marble-clad en suite bathrooms, four lounges, a private office, and a grand staircase to the upper deck.

Intrigued? Here’s your look inside President Trump’s new Air Force One.

Trump’s new Air Force One livery

Of course, most people will only ever see Trump’s new Air Force One from the outside – and even then, it will look very different from its presidential predecessors.

Flying the colours: Air Force One's bold new red, white and blue livery.

This 747-8, and the rest of the ‘executive fleet’, will be adorned in a striking colour palette of red, white, gold and dark blue.

This is based on Trump’s preferred red, white and blue colour scheme, rather than the iconic ‘soft blue and white’ livery which has been the executive jet’s signature look since the time of President Kennedy.

“We want power blue, not baby blue,” Trump remarked in January 2025.

Trump's original Air Force One scheme.

The design of Trump’s new Air Force One

This Boeing 747 was one of four flown almost exclusively by members of the royal family of Qatar.

After rolling out of the Boeing factory in 2012 – yes, this ‘new’ Air Force One is actually 13 years old – it was customised for the Qatari government by Swiss firm AMAC Aerospace, which initially shared these photos and details on its website before removing them earlier this year.

More than three years were spent on the project, under the direction of French interior designer Yves Pickardt, in what was regarded as the world’s largest and most ambitious private jet project.

French designer Yves Pickardt took his design cues from the cabins of superyachts and luxury apartments.

Pickardt made full use of the 747’s main deck and upper deck while still delivering a VVIP configuration with just 89 passenger seats across a total of 420m² of cabin space. (By comparison, Lufthansa’s 747-8 carries over 360 passengers.)

The flooprplan of Trump's new Air Force One 747, as first delivered to the Qatari royal family.
AMAC Aerospace

With Pickardt taking his design cues from the cabins of superyachts and luxury apartments, the soon-to-be Air Force One was comes with oversized couches and recliners, wood panelling, plush carpeting, leather couches, and plenty of shiny golden hues.

That last touch should come as no surprise, given Trump’s long-held affinity for gold.

His private Boeing 757 was ostentatiously gold-plated, from the bathroom taps and sink to the seat controls and seatbelt clasps.

Photo tour: Inside Trump’s new Qatari 747 Air Force One

So what can President Trump, his family, staff, VIP guests and selected media expect when they set foot inside this 747?

The main entry to the jet features curved walls and an illuminated staircase to the upper deck.

Inside Trump's new Air Force One 747, as seen during its life as a private jet for the Qatari royal family.

You immediately notice the heavily-gilded reflective walls, cabinetry and other surfaces.

Little wonder this plane struck a chord with Trump, given how it echoes the ornate design at his own properties such as Trump Tower and Florida’s Mar-a-Lago.

Inside Trump's new Air Force One 747, as seen during its life as a private jet for the Qatari royal family.

Although you might expect the ‘presidential suite’ to be up those stairs, in the exclusive domain of the upper deck, that’s not the case.

The upper deck floorpan of Trump's new Air Force One 747.
AMAC Aerospace

Inside Trump's new Air Force One 747, as seen during its life as a private jet for the Qatari royal family.

Most of the jumbo’s hump is given over to an upper deck lounge which is more like a living room: complete with bookshelves, a corner sofa and a large flat screen TV.

Inside Trump's new Air Force One 747, as seen during its life as a private jet for the Qatari royal family.

This area also includes eight plush seats, set two-abreast and facing one another over coffee tables in ‘club style’.

Inside Trump's new Air Force One 747, as seen during its life as a private jet for the Qatari royal family.

Ahead of this is a set of four more business class seats in their own mini-cabin, and then a dedicated crew area with its own seating, and of course the flight deck.

AMAC Aerospace lists the 747 as having more than 40 TV screens, from 15.6” to 55”.

Air Force One’s Presidential Suite

The nose of the 747-8 serves as living quarters for the President, the First Lady and members of their family.

The floorpan of Trump's new Air Force One 747.
AMAC Aerospace

As well as being the most private part of the aircraft – to the extent of having its own direct stairway entrance from the ground – this is also considered the quietest, being furthest from the engines.

Inside Trump's new Air Force One 747, as seen during its life as a private jet for the Qatari royal family.

The full-width master bedroom features sidewalls lined with benchtop counters and drawers.

Inside Trump's new Air Force One 747, as seen during its life as a private jet for the Qatari royal family.

It faces a two-seat sofa (we expect Trump may replace the mirror above the sofa with a TV, or even ditch the sofa for the largest TV he can fit on that wall).

Inside Trump's new Air Force One 747, as seen during its life as a private jet for the Qatari royal family.

The en suite bathroom has a private lavatory and fully-enclosed shower.

Inside Trump's new Air Force One 747, as seen during its life as a private jet for the Qatari royal family.

Gold accents complement dark wood trims, but the overall effect is softened by a cream colour palette.

Further along is a blinged-up guest bedroom, which also has its own en suite bathroom.

Inside Trump's new Air Force One 747, as seen during its life as a private jet for the Qatari royal family.

Behind these bedrooms is a private lounge area with seating for nine of Trump’s inner circle.

Inside Trump's new Air Force One 747, as seen during its life as a private jet for the Qatari royal family.

And beyond that is what the floorplan indicates is a ‘private office’, although it’s more of a meeting room, with a square table flanked by four leather recliners.

Inside Trump's new Air Force One 747, as seen during its life as a private jet for the Qatari royal family.

Inside Trump's new Air Force One 747, as seen during its life as a private jet for the Qatari royal family.

This is likely to be upgraded so it can double as a ‘situation room’.

The floorpan of Trump's new Air Force One 747.
AMAC Aerospace

Leaving the Presidential Suite area, you come to the centrepiece ‘main lounge’ with a six-person settee, four window-adjacent recliners and a round table with six more seats.

Inside Trump's new Air Force One 747, as seen during its life as a private jet for the Qatari royal family.

Inside Trump's new Air Force One 747, as seen during its life as a private jet for the Qatari royal family.

The floorpan of Trump's new Air Force One 747.
AMAC Aerospace

Next along is a second area with ‘club-style’ seating for 14 people, and a stairway which leads to the rear of the upper deck’s lounge.

Inside Trump's new Air Force One 747, as seen during its life as a private jet for the Qatari royal family.

Then you come to the last element of the new Air Force One’s cabin – a ‘business class’ zone with 24 recliners, set in a 2-2-2 layout.

Inside Trump's new Air Force One 747, as seen during its life as a private jet for the Qatari royal family.

This is where international media accompanying the President on any trip are likely to be found, along with lesser-ranked White House staff.

The US Air Force will spend an estimated US$400 million to US$1 billion in converting the ex-Qatari 747 to Air Force One spec, which will also see the 747-8 fitted with secure communications and anti-missile defences so it can carry the commander-in-chief.

Ownership of the 747 is then expected to be transferred to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation in 2029, allowing the plane to serve as Trump’s private plane after the end of his second term in office.