The story of Donald Trump ’s aviation fleet is as much about branding as it is about travel. While the gold-plated Boeing 757 (often called "Trump Force One") is his most famous aircraft today, his journey into aircraft ownership began much earlier with a mix of commercial ventures and high-speed executive jets. The First "Personal" Jets
Around the same time he was navigating the airline business, Trump acquired a Cessna Citation X . At the time, it was the fastest business jet in the world, capable of reaching Mach 0.92. It served as his primary jet for decades, including while his 757 was undergoing maintenance years later. The Trump Shuttle: A Fleet of 22 Planes when did trump buy his first plane
This was Trump’s first major personal airliner, which he bought to serve as his primary mode of transport before the 757 era. Originally built in 1968 for American Airlines, this "tri-jet" was eventually outfitted with a queen-size bed, full bath, and seating for 23 passengers. The story of Donald Trump ’s aviation fleet
He rebranded it as Trump Shuttle and spent approximately $1 million per plane to add "the Trump touch," including plush carpets, gold-colored fixtures, and faux marble sinks in the lavatories. At the time, it was the fastest business
Although the airline only lasted until 1992, it established the aesthetic—black, white, and gold—that would define his future private aircraft. The Transition to "Trump Force One"
He bought the Eastern Air Shuttle for $365 million , which included a fleet of 22 Boeing 727s .