Palm Beach Airport Makes History as First US Airport Named After a Sitting President
Finn's Take· TL;DR- Florida airport renamed after sitting President Trump, first such honor in U.S. history; effective August 2026 with new DJT code.
- Rebrand costs $5.5 million; Trump prohibited from receiving royalties, though potential loophole exists for third-party licensing deals.
- Part of broader trend: Tennessee also unveiled Donald J. Trump Bridge same day; airport near Mar-a-Lago strengthens Trump's Florida presence.
A Historic First for an American Airport
The airport in West Palm Beach, Florida, has officially been renamed after President Donald Trump — the first time an airport has been named after a sitting U.S. president. The South Florida facility was called Palm Beach International Airport for over half a century until July 9, when a months-old state law took effect, adding the airport to the growing list of places and things that now bear President Trump's name.
Marking the moment with flair, "Trump Force One," a Boeing 757 owned by The Trump Organization, was the first plane to arrive at the airport under its new name, shortly after 5 a.m. on July 9. Eric Trump, the executive vice president of the Trump Organization, said the president's plane was the first to land at the newly renamed airport. "There is no person who has done more for Florida and our country, and no one more deserving of this incredible honor," he wrote on X. "As a son, and someone who flies out of this airport nearly every day, I will forever be proud to see the initials 'DJT' on my boarding pass."
What the Name Change Actually Means for Travelers
The airport said in an FAQ posted online that "updates to signage, branding and public-facing materials, will occur in phases." Major U.S. carriers including United Airlines and Delta Air Lines began putting the new airport code DJT on their booking pages on July 9, though consumers searching for flights can still use the old PBI code to find the airport. The full passenger-facing code switch is still ahead: the IATA code "PBI" will officially change to "DJT" effective August 18, 2026.
The name change does not alter ownership, governance, legal status, or operational control of the airport. Palm Beach County will continue to oversee all airport policies, finances, and strategic decisions. This is a branding change only. On the financial side, changing the airport's name is expected to cost as much as $5.5 million for new signs, branding, and other updates. The 2026–2027 state budget that DeSantis signed into law last week allocates $2.75 million for the renaming.
The Legal and Political Road to the Rename
On March 30, 2026, Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation amending Florida statutes, preempting to the State of Florida the authority to name major commercial service airports and renaming Palm Beach International Airport the "President Donald J. Trump International Airport." The Florida Legislature passed the renaming legislation along party lines in February. By the time DeSantis signed it into law in March, DTTM had already filed multiple trademark applications for the new name.
The agreement allows the county to freely use the name "President Donald J. Trump International Airport" for airport signage, merchandise, and more — and it explicitly says that Trump "is prohibited from receiving royalties, fees, or revenue from the purchase or sale of any such merchandise by County or airport retailers." However, legal experts told reporters they see a potential loophole: because the license is non-exclusive, Trump could in theory license the airport name trademarks to third parties.
A Broader Wave of Trump-Named Landmarks
The president flies in and out of this airport relatively often, as it is mere miles from his oceanfront estate, Mar-a-Lago. The lifelong New Yorker declared Palm Beach his permanent residence in 2019 and travels there regularly from the White House. A stretch of road from the airport to Trump's estate was already renamed Donald J. Trump Boulevard earlier this year.
The airport rename wasn't the only Trump-named landmark unveiled on July 9. U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent was joined by several elected officials to unveil the Donald J. Trump Bridge on I-40 in Jefferson County, Tennessee — a bridge that crosses the French Broad River in Dandridge. The Tennessee legislature's action designated the new bridge on Interstate 40 near Douglas Lake "the 'President Donald J. Trump Bridge' in recognition of the 45th and 47th president of the United States." Notably, the interstate bridge is slated to be completed in 2029 — meaning the Trump name will be attached to a structure still under construction. With an airport, a bridge, a boulevard, and more now bearing the president's name, the trend shows no signs of slowing while Trump remains in office.