Trump Wants to Redesign Air Force One to Look 'More American'
One of the most iconic aircraft in the world may be getting a makeover. US President Donald Trump wants to repaint Air Force One to look "more American," Axios reports.
In negotiations with Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg last February, when the President and CEO were discussing the terms for a $4 billion order for two new Boeing 747s to replace the current fleet — Trump told Muilenburg that he wants to get rid of the classic blue and white scheme for a "more American" look.
The current color scheme, which Trump referred to as a "Jackie Kennedy color," was created in the 1960s by then-president John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jackie Kennedy. It first appeared on a presidential aircraft, then a Boeing VC-137C, in 1962 and has been used ever since it was introduced.
Axios reports the "president's preferred design is believed to include red, white and blue." And he doesn't think the current "luminous ultramarine" represents the USA even though it's served as a backdrop for some of the biggest moments in US history over the last half-century. In the past, Trump has called Air Force One a "great plane" and "very beautiful."
On top of making changes to the exterior, the president wants to upgrade the 747's cabin to resemble his personal Boeing 757. This includes installing a larger, more comfortable bed similar to the one on the smaller plane. Trump's 757 includes gold-plated faucets and seat belts.
The change could cause tension with the Air Force, sources told Axios. Air Force brass "like the current design" which is "known around the world."
"Anyone who doubts how strongly Americans feel about the way Air Force One looks should go to the Reagan Library in California and see how many people go there to look at the plane that Ronald Reagan flew on while he was President," presidential historian Michael Beschloss told Axios.
Unfortunately for the president, he may never ride on the redesigned aircraft. Trump will have to be re-elected in 2020 since it's highly unlikely that the new aircraft will be ready before his first term ends on January 20, 2021.
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| 2X miles | 2 miles per dollar on every purchase |
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Why We Chose It
The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit. (Partner offer)Pros
- The Capital One Venture X business card has a very lucrative welcome offer.
- In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
- Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.
Cons
- The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
- Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
- Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
- With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month