Aboard Air Force One – This airplane seems just right for a showman.
President Trump introduced the new Air Force One on Wednesday, showcasing its wider seats, gold accents, and an array of high-tech features compared to the two-decade-old 747 it replaces.
The Post was present on this inaugural flight, traveling with the president from the White House to the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library opening in North Dakota.
The Boeing 747-8, costing $400 million and known as the “Palace in the Sky,” was a donation from Qatar, revamped to match President Trump’s tastes and requirements.
Passengers will find more legroom, reclining seats, and even massage functions inside the aircraft.
Each TV offers a range of options from cable news to Apple TV programs. This is quite a shift from older aircraft, which only had TVs at the cabin’s front and lacked comfortable seating or individual device chargers.
The seats themselves are larger, and the seatbelts now sport presidential stickers. Air Force personnel donned large badges with the presidential seal.
The airplane is physically bigger too—20 feet longer than its predecessor—with a 30-foot wingspan. It features a color scheme of blue, red, gold, and white, handpicked by the president.
President Trump expressed his enthusiasm, calling it “the greatest commercial aircraft ever built” to reporters before takeoff.
“You can keep it low key, or show it off. I think the country should really be proud of this. It’s beautiful,” he added.
This first flight was particularly special for him, as he traveled with his sons Eric and Don Jr., and his new daughter-in-law, Bettina. “It’s going to be a lot of fun,” he remarked, adding he was looking forward to this inaugural flight.
In fact, he was so eager that he worked from his new office during the three-hour journey, as noted by spokeswoman Caroline Leavitt, who mentioned he spent much of the time on calls and reviewing a speech he would give later.
Reporters on board were only permitted to take photos of items left on their seats and their meals (a ham and cheese breakfast sandwich served on china alongside dragon fruit salad).
However, White House officials shared other interior images, showing spacious new conference rooms and cozy seating, with walls adorned by photographs of monuments.
The interior décor features warm shades of brown and cream, complemented by golden lighting, catering to the president’s preferences.
A curtain separated the press area from the rest of the plane to keep staff and Secret Service out of sight from media personnel during the flight.
This first journey highlighted the aircraft’s newness—headphones still in their box, blankets wrapped in plastic. Travelers were gently reminded to keep the new plane tidy.
The only item that remained unchanged was the presidential M&Ms in the autograph box with Trump’s signature.
Despite some backlash over accepting the plane as a gift, Trump dismissed concerns, stating it was from “a country that has treated us very well.”
There were also inquiries about safety due to its foreign origin.
Yet, a senior government official assured that extensive counterintelligence and safety reviews had been conducted.
“We are confident that the aircraft is safe, secure, and equipped with the latest technology to assist the President’s mission,” the official said.
Looking ahead, the president plans to maximize his use of the new aircraft. He intends to take it back on Friday for a trip to South Dakota for the Mount Rushmore fireworks display. On July 4th, planes will fly over the White House and Capitol celebrating Independence Day.
The new Air Force One is set to accompany President Trump on his next visit to Turkey for the NATO summit next week. He also mentioned he would take it to China in November for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit.
