Air Force One’s classic Kennedy-era look may remain under President Biden
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Editor’s note: This post has been updated with new information.
There are many changes ahead as the U.S. begins to roll out new policies under President Joe Biden.
As of Wednesday afternoon, Air Force One is back at Joint Base Andrews near Washington, D.C. after dropping former President Trump off in Florida – likely his last trip on the Boeing 747.
The jet is now awaiting orders from Joe Biden, the 46th President of the United States.
Of course the most important issue the new administration will face is the federal government’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic that has killed more than 400,000 Americans and decimated the economy. Biden has said he plans to take a more centralized approach to COVID-19 than that of the previous administration.
But one big question in the minds of AvGeeks is: What will Biden do about the new look for Air Force One?
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Unveiled in 2019, the previous president’s new look for Air Force One featured a rich red, white and dark blue scheme on a new 747. The new look replaced the iconic blue-forward look picked by first lady Jackie Kennedy that has adorned the presidential transport since 1962.
“When Trump changed it, it was clearly just to resemble his own aircraft. New coats of paint are very easily applied,” Teal Group vice president Richard Aboulafia told Politico in 2020.
There is also plenty of time to change the look of the next Air Force One. Boeing typically does not paint new jets for customers until several months before they are delivered, and the new 747-8is that will carry the president are not due until around 2024.
Biden did not weigh in on the look of Air Force One during the campaign, and it’s unlikely to be a pressing issue during his first few days in the White House.
Related: A first look at the new Air Force One livery
Featured image by Alex Wong/Getty Images.
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