• Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
  • Advertising Disclosure
Live and Let's Fly
  • Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
  • Advertising Disclosure
Home  >  News  >  Will Biden Keep Trump’s New Air Force One Livery?
News

Will Biden Keep Trump’s New Air Force One Livery?

Matthew Klint Posted onJanuary 23, 2021 37 Comments

Asked twice this week about whether President Biden would keep the new Air Force One livery unveiled by President Trump, the answer was consistent: it’s too early to think about it.

Will Biden Keep Classic Air Force One Livery?

During an ABC News Oval Office interview in 2019, President Donald Trump unveiled a new Air Force one design, featuring what he called “patriotic” red, white, and blue paint job.

.@ABC EXCLUSIVE: Pres. Trump unveils his new patriotic paint job for Air Force One during one-on-one with @GStephanopoulos. https://t.co/as0f3beUNB pic.twitter.com/nCtOgoQqDh

— This Week (@ThisWeekABC) June 13, 2019

Since George H.W. Bush, the U.S. presidential aircraft has been a modified Boeing 747-200, featuring the same baby blue color scheme as SAM 26000, the modified Boeing 707 first introduced by the Kennedy Administration. That livery was designed under the supervision of First Lady Jackie Kennedy and has served as a symbol of the United States of America for decades.

Air Force One US Airways Airways Livery

But Air Force One is due for an update and Boeing is in the midst of retrofitting a pair of 747-8 aircraft to serve as the presidential plane of the next generation. The cost of the new aircraft, which require upgraded fuel tanks and many classified security features, is $3.9 billion.

Trump wanted to put his own mark on the new aircraft by modifying the traditional light blue livery to a new red-white-blue scheme, but now it falls upon President Joe Biden to make that decision.

“The president has not spent a moment thinking about the color scheme of Air Force One”

This week, Press Secretary Jen Psaki was asked on Wednesday and again on Friday whether President Biden would revert to the Kennedy-era design for Air Force One. On Wednesday she said she would check, but on Friday she made clear the Biden Administration had far bigger priorities to consider before it thought about the Air Force One livery.

White House press sec. Jen Psaki comments on proposal for “reconsidering the color scheme of Air Force One.”

“I can confirm for you here: the president has not spent a moment thinking about the color scheme of Air Force One.” https://t.co/FIF1vyQRXS pic.twitter.com/r6ZIAXQSP6

— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) January 22, 2021

“We are certainly aware of the White House military units proposal that has been submitted to them about reconsidering the color scheme of Air Force One.”

She also added:

“I can confirm for you here, the president has not spent a moment thinking about the color scheme of Air Force One or anything in the House or any article of anything. And no one is going to submit a decision memo to him on that particular topic.”

CONCLUSION

With far more pressing issues before the desk of the President, any decision on the livery of Air Force One will have to wait. That has not stopped reporters from asking twice about it this week.

Which Air Force One livery do you prefer? Should the plane carrying the President maintain the classic look, adapt the Trump design, or go for a totally new look?

Previous Article Lufthansa Prepared To Sell “Economically, Ecologically, And Politically Irresponsible” Low Fares
Next Article Hot Deal: Delta Business Class – Los Angeles to Santiago, Chile – $695 R/T

About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

Related Posts

  • Southwest Airlines Helicopter

    Southwest Airlines Flight Nearly Collides With Helicopter

    March 22, 2023
  • Catering Improvements Move Forward On United Airlines, Despite Quarterly Loss

    March 16, 2023
  • united require vaccine

    United Airlines CEO Explains Unexpected Quarterly Loss

    March 15, 2023

37 Comments

  1. Christian Reply
    January 23, 2021 at 11:48 am

    The traditional way looks good, tasteful and and recognizable. The alteration Trump chose looks cheesy.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      January 23, 2021 at 11:58 am

      Personally, I like them both but greatly prefer the older design. The new design still reminds me too much of US Airways.

      • Jeff Reply
        January 23, 2021 at 1:59 pm

        Are you kidding me? The new scheme is exactly the colors of Trump’s private plane but reversed. His plane the white is on the bottom half with the blue on top and red in the middle. The present Air Force One scheme is nice and familiar and should stay.

        • Lukas Reply
          January 24, 2021 at 9:52 am

          EXACTLY THIS. This is Trump’s plane with colors reversed. I would hate it if he left such a lasting mark on the future of America’s presidents’ plane.

      • Michael Reply
        January 23, 2021 at 3:26 pm

        Agreed – they both look nice; however, I like the traditional livery better. Plus, it has so much history attached to it so I hope it prevails.

        • UA-NYC Reply
          January 23, 2021 at 6:05 pm

          It will. No way it changes to his design.

          Current version is iconic and timeless.

  2. Arun Baheti Reply
    January 23, 2021 at 12:06 pm

    The traditional design is classy, non-commercial, understated — a projection of confident soft power that is recognized around the world. It was changed for no good reason beyond ego imprinting.

  3. Andy K Reply
    January 23, 2021 at 12:19 pm

    Gosh the press sure loves Jen. They go easy on her with these softball questions, everyone laughing and smiling. The double standard in the media is undeniable.

    • Ben Reply
      January 23, 2021 at 1:27 pm

      Or it could be due to the fact that the very first press conference Spicer called in Jan 2017 was to yell at the press and outright lie without prompting that Trump had the biggest inauguration crowd size despite strong evidence to the contrary.

      Do tell, what should the press be asking about? There has been multiple groups who looked into Hunter and have turned up zero evidence that Joe did anything improper there, and not sure what else there actually is at the moment.

      • Carter Reply
        January 27, 2021 at 7:34 am

        Looks like Ben doesn’t know how to use the internet. Or even understand basic concepts the msm screamed about and congress made the focus of Trump’s first non-convicted impeachment.
        A quid pro quo is an exchange of goods or services contingent on a favor. Biden has bragged on video that he and Obama would not let Ukraine get the guaranteed loan of a billion dollars unless the prosecutor (who was investigating Hunter’s position in the energy company) was fired.
        There’s a rule in Saul Alinsky’s “12 Rules for Radicals” that states this; accuse the opponent of exactly what you are doing.
        You know how I KNOW Ben lacks knowledge on searching the internet?
        Because if he wanted he could easily go find pictures from that laptop of Hunter with prostitutes. Another with a crack pipe in his mouth and lots of texts talking about sleeping with minors, partying and drug use.

        I’m just amazed the msm has been able to keep 50% of the nation COMPLETELY in the dark in regards to open source information. I guess people just prefer the laziness of liking what the msm shoves down their throats and blasts in there. Maybe it’s the repitition of it all they like.

        Anyhow. I don’t think it matters. Biden hasn’t even flown on Air Force One how could he even think of the paint scheme for his whip? He’s been using his campaign plane for his travel. Kind of strange for the president don’t you think?

    • Debit Reply
      January 23, 2021 at 3:57 pm

      From everything i read half of the country seems to have no problem about what happened at the capitol. This half of the country thinks they are above rules and laws because they are fighting to keep their country and way of life. Just as in antebellum.

      Depending on how the other half of the country reacts and behaves there is a lot of trouble in the future.

      • Debit Reply
        January 23, 2021 at 4:09 pm

        https://www.reddit.com/r/samharris/comments/l2gyu9/comment/gk6xc14

        Politicians from both parties that love their country, and don’t just pretend it, need to really get together and figure out how to get people to compromise. I think the polarizing one up manship the politicians were engaged in the last 25 years has come with huge costs.

        One half of the country is already ready for a civil war. Depending on what the other half decides we may be heading into a very dangerous period.

        Murdoch has to be most divise POS that has been allowed to run amuk.

    • David Bradford Reply
      January 23, 2021 at 4:01 pm

      Trump’s were forced to lie every time they opened their mouths! That makes for a lot of tension in the room. It started with Sean Spicer’s first briefing when he had to say Trump’s inauguration crowd was the “biggest in history, period!” When, even admitted by Spicer later…that was bullshit!

    • Lance Reply
      January 23, 2021 at 4:22 pm

      Well, it sure can look that way when they don’t have to spend their entire time fact checking the bullshit lies that spewed out of the President’s mouth or Twitter feed. When you have a grown up in the White House, it’s less combative.

    • Andy K Reply
      January 23, 2021 at 5:42 pm

      I didn’t make that post to defend Trump in any way (much less the insurrection or the lies he perpetuated). All I pointed out was the “mood” in the room and the nature of the questions — something none of these liberals who responded disagreed with!

      Like I said, the double standard is there.

      • UA-NYC Reply
        January 23, 2021 at 6:07 pm

        Total double standard. It’s almost like the new administration DIDN’T cause a deadly insurrection.

    • GUWonder Reply
      January 24, 2021 at 8:19 am

      Karma, babe, karma.

      Not personally attacking journalists and not peddling blatant lies does come with its perks.

  4. Charles McCain Reply
    January 23, 2021 at 12:33 pm

    Keep the classy look that it currently sports.
    I’m with Matthew, the proposed look is too much like U.S. Airways.

  5. DaninMCI Reply
    January 23, 2021 at 12:42 pm

    I like both but I hope if the design is changed Boeing doesn’t try to get back part of the $1bn + that Trump saved through negotiations on the new fleet.

  6. Travis Reply
    January 23, 2021 at 1:01 pm

    It looks similar to the Trump 757 color scheme.

  7. TWA john Reply
    January 23, 2021 at 1:02 pm

    There is nothing wrong with the current aircraft. The order should be CX because we as a nation are broke. These planes are hangared and well maintained. Even hand waxed! AF flies 50 year old B-52’s and 60 year old U2’s. President should use 757 for domestic travel as it is more fuel effcient. The final TWA paint scheme sure looked good on 747. Stick some twin globes on it.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      January 23, 2021 at 1:10 pm

      Honestly, that’s not a bad point. Not sure it is possible to rescind the deal, but the current AF1 is just fine…

    • Lance Reply
      January 23, 2021 at 4:23 pm

      We as a nation are not broke. We lack the willpower to make hard choices, to collect taxes to pay for the things we want. America has all the money to do anything it wants to, people are just unwilling to tax accordingly or say no to spending. Or both.

      • Debit Reply
        January 23, 2021 at 5:25 pm

        Capitalism is allowing something to be run most efficiently. It allows for maximization of profit. It does not talk about taxes. Those are Republican talking points that falsely and most self servingly declare that taxes need to be low for capitalism to work.

        This economy is flooded with money. Money is not the problem. Companies and rich men won’t wither away if taxes are higher. Maximizing profits and taxing those profits for social welfare are not mutually exclusive in a capitalist society. The Republicans have muddied those waters because at core they are racist. They do not want to pay more taxes for those people.

      • Andy K Reply
        January 23, 2021 at 5:45 pm

        Lance, we have one of the most progressive federal income tax regimes in world. So how much is enough?

        • UA-NYC Reply
          January 23, 2021 at 8:31 pm

          https://time.com/5888024/50-trillion-income-inequality-america/

  8. Kenneth Reply
    January 23, 2021 at 2:33 pm

    I vote to keep the current dignified and instantly recognizable livery. The Trump proposed paint scheme reminds me of a cheesy, made-for-TV movie.

  9. Debit Reply
    January 23, 2021 at 4:00 pm

    I vote to save money.

    We are not Republican scum, that Vote to withhold health care but waste money on vanity projects.

  10. derek Reply
    January 23, 2021 at 4:36 pm

    My biggest concern is that a change order is a common tactic to milk the government. If Boeing will not waive the change order cost, then the new livery should be used. If the change order, even this far away, is in the millions or even tens of thousands, no deal.

    The current powder blue shade has no link to the traditional colors of America. It was just Jackie Kennedy’s choice.

    If it’s cheaper to just have white and “United States of America” titles, then that should be the way it is. Military gray isn’t a bad idea either.

    • Michael Reply
      January 24, 2021 at 8:22 am

      The plane is a couple of years away from being completed, so no change order would be necessary, it’s not painted yet. Also, remember that every single other plane in the fleet carries the classic livery. It won’t just be the two 747-8s that will be new, the rest of the fleet – hundreds of 757, 737, Gulfstreams, etc. will also need to updated to the new livery. It’s FAR LESS COSTLY to keep the current.

  11. Stuart Reply
    January 23, 2021 at 8:59 pm

    Iconic. Always. Maybe airlines can rebrand…but Air Force One? Leave it.

    • Michael Reply
      January 24, 2021 at 8:23 am

      The plane is a couple of years away from being completed, so no change order would be necessary, it’s not painted yet. Also, remember that every single other plane in the fleet carries the classic livery. It won’t just be the two 747-8s that will be new, the rest of the fleet – hundreds of 757, 737, Gulfstreams, etc. will also need to updated to the new livery. It’s FAR LESS COSTLY to keep the current.

      • derek Reply
        January 28, 2021 at 2:57 am

        Most air force VIP planes do not use the powder blue so that color might be the most expensive.

      • derek Reply
        January 28, 2021 at 2:59 am

        The USAF doesn’t have hundreds of 757s. Also a change order can still be charged even if the planes haven’t been painted.

  12. GUWonder Reply
    January 24, 2021 at 8:13 am

    I much prefer the exterior look of the planes used for Air Force One before Trump had them changed.

  13. WB Reply
    January 25, 2021 at 8:11 am

    My personal preference is the current livery, not that I dislike the proposed livery. The current is classic and by keeping, weaves a thread of tradition through each presidential term since it was introduced in the 60’s.

  14. Tran Jacinto Reply
    September 3, 2021 at 9:49 pm

    I think that Biden MUST keep the Air Force One livery that Donald J. Trump has proposed in June 2019 because the current baby blue livery is already outdated and was proposed by John F. Kennedy many years ago so Biden MUST keep the livery that Donald J. Trump has proposed in June 2019 because I really like the new livery and needs to replace the outdated baby blue livery.

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

Search

Recent Posts

  • United Airlines 737-700 Business Class Review
    Review: United Airlines 737-700 Business Class March 22, 2023
  • Southwest Airlines Helicopter
    Southwest Airlines Flight Nearly Collides With Helicopter March 22, 2023
  • Copa Club Bogota Review
    Review: Copa Club Bogota (BOG) March 22, 2023
  • Biden Russian Airspace
    Biden Considers Banning Airlines Who Use Russian Airspace March 21, 2023

Categories

Popular Posts

  • American Airlines unaccompanied Minor Predator
    American Airlines Flight Attendant Freaks Out After Man Offers His First Class Seat To Child February 25, 2023
  • Kayleigh Scott United Airlines
    The Tragic Death Of A United Airlines Flight Attendant March 21, 2023
  • United Airlines Polaris Lounge Chicago Review
    Review: United Polaris Lounge Chicago (ORD) February 21, 2023
  • There’s A Pilot In My Seat! February 21, 2023

Archives

March 2023
M T W T F S S
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728293031  
« Feb    

As seen on:

live_and_lets_fly

The new United Polaris Lounge at Washington Dulles The new United Polaris Lounge at Washington Dulles is the most beautiful of all Polaris Lounges. Stay tuned for a detailed look and many more photos on the blog tomorrow. Well done @united.
@malaysiaairlines just announced it would retire i @malaysiaairlines just announced it would retire its A380 fleet. While not surprising, it is sad to see the growing list of carriers retiring this superjumbo jet. On Malaysia Airlines, I flew the #A380 once from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to London (LHR) and had the entire first class cabin to myself (full review on the blog). It was a beautiful flight that I will always remember.
Welcome to @fly_bur @aveloair! I am so excited tha Welcome to @fly_bur @aveloair! I am so excited that a new carrier, Avelo, has launched, especially from an airport just 12 minutes from my home!
I greatly miss the @lufthansa #747-8 at @flylaxair I greatly miss the @lufthansa #747-8 at @flylaxairport. Hopefully this summer it will return.

.
.
.
.
#Lufthansa #FirstClass #747 #747-8 #StarAlliance #Miles #Points
I recently spent a weekend at the @ventanabigsur. I recently spent a weekend at the @ventanabigsur. This is not only a lovely, all-inclusive resort, but one of the best properties to use your @hyatt World of Hyatt points.
.
.
.
.
#Hyatt #BigSur #California #WorldofHyatt #CA-1 #Points #Hotels
In terms of a spacious first class product, the @E In terms of a spacious first class product, the @Emirates suite on a 777-300ER is hard to beat. My preference is Suite 2K.

.
.
.
.
#Emirates #777 #firstclass
Nearly five years ago, I took a “break” from I Nearly five years ago, I took a “break” from Instagram ahead of the birth of my first child. Goodness, how time flies. While I’ve enjoyed catching up on others over the years, now it is time for me to return to Instagram. In this first post, I highlight two joys in my life, my two children, whom I trust will grow up to be prolific travelers that circumnavigate the globe as ambassadors of love and respect.

.
.
.
.
.

#travel #airplanes #airlines #miles #points #familytravel #human #integrity #honor
United Airlines' new Polaris seat is a huge improv United Airlines' new Polaris seat is a huge improvement over UA's current business class seat. Check out my blog at liveandletsfly.com for 70+ photos of how @united is transforming its entire business class experience starting this December!
The perfect @flysas name tag for #Longyearben! The perfect @flysas name tag for #Longyearben!
Spotted four #polarbear outside of #longyearbyen - Spotted four #polarbear outside of #longyearbyen -- oh, and I love 40°F summer weather!
One of the best crews I have ever had the pleasure One of the best crews I have ever had the pleasure of flying with in all my years of flying. Thank you @flysas SK940 on 11 Aug 2016
Next stop ARN! But dear @flysas , next time if I a Next stop ARN! But dear @flysas , next time if I assign a window seat months in advance, don't move me to a center seat "for my convenience" with no way to get my original seat back... 😞
Ready for #PIA from #MAN to #JFK -- we will be rac Ready for #PIA from #MAN to #JFK -- we will be racing the #Delta flight to JFK at the gate next to us, which also departs at 12:45p. With @onemileatatime
Another room with a beautiful view... #hyattregenc Another room with a beautiful view... #hyattregencycasablanca #cassablanca #hyatt
Enjoying #shanghai with @onemileatatime from the i Enjoying #shanghai with @onemileatatime from the inside of the @grandhyatt_shanghai ... It is 40°C outside! 😓
From my front gate to my boarding gate in 15 minut From my front gate to my boarding gate in 15 minutes flat. I ❤️ #bur #burbankairport
@malaysiaairlines #747 out of retirement and in se @malaysiaairlines #747 out of retirement and in service at #kul -- beautiful livery!
View from my 61st floor room at the beautiful bran View from my 61st floor room at the beautiful brand new @parkhyattguangzhou -- look for a full review coming soon on the blog #hyatt #parkhyatt #guangzhou #parkhyattguangzhou
Will miss the @united #globalfirstlounge at #ord, Will miss the @united #globalfirstlounge at #ord, which closes tomorrow and the Queen of the Skies #747 which will be retired in 2018.
The colonial #architecture of #mumbai is stunning. The colonial #architecture of #mumbai is stunning. If you're ever here, get up at 5am and have a walk around the city before it gets busy. You can hear the birds instead of honking horns.
Load More... Follow on Instagram
facebook twitter instagram rss

This site is for entertainment purposes only. The owner of this site is not an investment advisor, financial planner, nor legal or tax professional and articles here are of an opinion and general nature and should not be relied upon for individual circumstances.

 

Advertiser Disclosure: Some links to credit cards and other products on this website will earn an affiliate commission. Outside of banner ads published through the Boarding Area network, this compensation does not impact how and where products appear on this site. While we do try to list all the best miles and points deals, the site does not include all card companies or credit card offers available in the marketplace. Please view our advertising policy page for additional details about our partners.

 

Editorial Disclosure: The editorial content on this page is not provided by any entity mentioned herein. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.