POLITICS

U.S. Air Force adopts new presidential aircraft color scheme

PUBLISHED Feb 17, 2026, 11:14 PM ET

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Washington: The U.S. Air Force announced this week it will apply a red, white, dark blue and gold paint scheme across parts of the presidential and executive fleet, replacing the Kennedy-era light-blue livery. The service said the palette echoes a proposal advanced by former President Donald Trump and appears on a donated Qatari Boeing jet and several smaller executive aircraft already undergoing refurbishment. Boeing continues work on next-generation Air Force One airframes while contractors repaint existing planes at a Texas facility; officials said one aircraft in the new scheme has been photographed. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

By Lauren Mitchell | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

1960s: Kennedy administration establishes the light-blue-and-white presidential livery.
2018: President Trump proposes a darker navy, red and white design for Air Force One.
2022: The earlier repaint plan is canceled amid cost and technical/overheating concerns.
Late 2025–early 2026: Photographs and reports show some executive aircraft in the new red, white, gold and dark-blue scheme.
2026: U.S. Air Force, Boeing and contractors proceed with repainting and refurbishing donated and existing jets.

News Intelligence

The presidential fleet's new look might catch your eye on TV or in person. It's a change from the light-blue design we've known since the 1960s. The red, white, dark blue, and gold scheme was proposed by former President Trump.

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Articles Published:: 8
Right Leaning:: 0
Left Leaning:: 0
Neutral:: 8

Who Benefited

Defense contractors, Boeing and paint suppliers will receive government contracts and revenue from repainting and refurbishing presidential and executive aircraft, and vendors involved in modifications will gain work and procurement visibility.

Who Impacted

Supporters of the Kennedy-era presidential livery and historical-preservation advocates saw a decades-old color scheme replaced as the Air Force implemented the new red, white, gold and dark-blue design across executive aircraft.

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