President Donald Trump on Friday unveiled a new Boeing 747 jetliner donated by the government of Qatar to serve as the presidential aircraft, marking a transition from the previous planes that had been in service since 1990. The aircraft, painted in red, white, and blue, will replace the baby-blue planes that have faced ongoing maintenance challenges.

The announcement took place at a Joint Base Andrews hangar that was specially built to accommodate the larger plane. Trump described the aircraft as a "flying White House" with unprecedented luxury and emphasized the updated design and patriotic color scheme. He noted the need for the new plane after observing that many other countries had more visually impressive presidential aircraft.

The jetliner, valued by industry experts at around $200 million, arrived amid scrutiny from lawmakers who have expressed concerns over Qatar’s donation, raising questions about potential foreign influence. Trump dismissed these ethical concerns, praising Qatar for the gesture and citing delays in U.S.-procured Boeing 747-8 aircraft that had been intended to replace the older planes but are not expected to be ready before the end of his administration. The new jet is intended as a temporary solution.

According to a statement by the Air Force, the donated plane, referred to as a “bridge” aircraft, will soon commence initial commissioning flights that serve as a final evaluation before it undertakes its first presidential mission. The Air Force has been modifying the aircraft since September to meet security requirements, including protection against missile threats and electromagnetic pulses, though some lawmakers have expressed reservations about the accelerated timeline for these upgrades.

Interior features of the plane include leather furnishings with tan and gold accents, a conference room equipped with a square table surrounded by captain’s chairs, and a television. A framed print of a duck swimming in the Reflecting Pool is displayed within the cabin.

Trump also announced that the new Air Force One is expected to lead a flyover in Washington, D.C., on July 4, accompanied by F-22 and F-35 fighter jets. The president recalled that his flight from France on Thursday morning, following a dinner with President Emmanuel Macron at the Palace of Versailles, marked the last planned journey aboard the old planes. White House communications director Steven Cheung and other aides posted farewell messages about the retiring aircraft on social media.

Plans are underway to preserve the outgoing planes, with Trump suggesting they could become museum exhibits to honor their decades of service carrying U.S. presidents.