When Did Trump Buy His First Plane Apr 2026

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

In , Trump made his first massive entry into aviation not with a single private jet, but by buying an entire airline.

Long before he owned his signature 757, Trump's personal air travel was defined by two specific aircraft: when did trump buy his first plane

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 . Around the same time he was navigating the

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.

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. The Trump Shuttle: A Fleet of 22 Planes

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