"Palace in the Sky" with gold trim: Donald Trump unveils new $400M Air Force One

This aircraft was built for a true showman. US President Donald Trump has officially unveiled the new Air Force One. The airliner features significantly more spacious seating, signature gold decor elements, and ultra-modern technological innovations, leaving its 20-year-old predecessor far behind, NYP reports.

The newest addition to the presidential fleet—a Boeing 747-8 valued at $400 million—made its maiden flight, carrying the head of state from Washington to North Dakota for the opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library. This luxurious aircraft was a gift to the American leader from the government of Qatar and was completely retrofitted to match Trump's personal tastes and standards.

Massage chairs, Apple TV, and the President's personal design

Inside, the aircraft looks like a first-class five-star hotel. The cabin is equipped with the latest technology and comfort:

• Premium Seating: Seats for passengers and the press are noticeably larger, recline completely into a flat bed, and come equipped with a built-in massage function. The presidential seal is engraved on the seatbelts.

• Individual Entertainment: Unlike the old aircraft, where screens hung at the front of the cabin, every seat here is equipped with a personal display. Passengers can watch both cable news and streaming releases on Apple TV.

• Scale and Dimensions: The new airliner physically surpasses the previous model—it is 6 meters longer, and its wingspan has increased by 9 meters.

Donald Trump personally chose the unique color scheme for the fuselage—a combination of blue, red, white, and gold. "I think the country should be proud of this plane. It's a real beauty," Trump told reporters before takeoff, calling the new aircraft "the greatest commercial airliner in history."

The interior is designed in soft pastel tones: tan walls, beige carpets, and cream-colored leather sofas. Naturally, it features Trump's favorite style—fixtures and hardware on board are gold-plated.

Journalists in the presidential press pool, who were separated from the rest of the plane by a thick curtain, were prohibited from filming the interiors. They were only allowed to photograph the name cards on the seats and an exquisite breakfast—a ham and cheese sandwich served on expensive porcelain with a side of dragon fruit salad. In addition to the traditional signature M&Ms with Trump's autograph, guests on the inaugural flight were given white boxes of exclusive chocolate tied with a red ribbon.

A gift with a catch? Security questions

The decision to accept such an expensive aircraft as a gift from energy-rich Qatar has sparked considerable debate and criticism in Washington. Trump firmly rejected these complaints, stating that the airliner was received from a "country that treats us very well."

Due to the aircraft's foreign origin, experts have also raised questions regarding its security. However, a senior administration official rushed to reassure the public, asserting that the plane had undergone the strictest vetting by intelligence services. "We are completely confident that the aircraft is absolutely safe, thoroughly protected by counterintelligence measures, and equipped with the most advanced technologies necessary to fulfill presidential missions," the official emphasized.

This coming Friday, the upgraded Air Force One will fly Trump to South Dakota for a holiday fireworks display at Mount Rushmore, and on July 4th, US Independence Day, the plane will perform a flyover above the White House and the Capitol. The airliner will embark on an international tour next week—Trump will fly it to Turkey for a NATO summit, and in November, he plans to visit China for the APEC summit.