Air Force One is more than just an airplane, it is a symbol of the honor and prestige that the President of the United States of America displays in the air. Basically an in-flight White House, Air Force One is equipped with luxurious accommodations, top of the line security, a conference room for meetings, two kitchens, and even an emergency clinic staffed with a doctor. It’s everything the President needs to continue his duties during air travel, and he does it in style.
Air Force One is well-known all over the world, but do you know these 15 insider facts about the aircraft?
1. Technically Not a Plane
The term “Air Force One” is the call sign used by air traffic controllers that represents any Air Force plane that has the US President on board. If the President boards one of his helicopters, that helicopter is referred to as “Marine One”. Likewise, if the President boards an Army aircraft, the aircraft becomes known as “Army One”.
The President has not one, but two planes at his disposal – nearly matching Boeing 747-200B with three decks and 4,000 square feet, practically the size of a mansion. These two planes are what the public refer to as Air Force One.
2. Has a Massive Fuel Tank
Air Force One has a 53,000 gallon (200,626 liter) fuel tank capacity, which could allow the aircraft to travel halfway around the globe on one tank of gas. In terms of distance, Air Force One can travel from Washington, D.C. to Tokyo, Japan, a distance of 6,753 miles (10,868 kilometers), without refueling. That’s over a 13 hour flight nonstop!
Most impressive is the fact that Air Force One could theoretically stay in the air forever (or at least until the world ran out of fuel). This is thanks to the possibility of aerial refueling, meaning that another plane can fill the fuel tank in the air. How is this possible? Air Force One has a fuel probe on the nose of the plane, in which a fuel pump from another plane can connect and refuel the aircraft. An important feature in case of emergency.
3. The President Has His Own Luxury Suite
Maybe not luxury for a hotel, but for a plane, it beats first class by a landslide. Situated in the nose of the aircraft, the president has his own private chambers, complete with couches, a bed, and his own bathroom with shower. The president even has access to his own personal gym on board to keep fit in the sky.
In addition to his personal bedroom, the president is equipped with a remote Oval Office. The office is outfitted with a large desk, plush leather chairs and couches, secure phone lines, and all the technical equipment necessary to continue to carry out his duties as Commander in Chief.
4. Offers Fine Dining
Whether it’s filet mignon, grilled salmon, a cheeseburger, or good old mac and cheese – it’s all possible aboard Air Force One. Thanks to a team of chefs at Joint Base Andrews, an Air Force base in Maryland, elaborate meals are prepared and vacuum sealed exclusively for Air Force One. The meals are then finished off by a crew of chefs aboard the aircraft for the president and his guests.
The plane is equipped with not one, but two galley kitchens, that are designed more like for a restaurant than for an airplane. The kitchens can accommodate meals for 100 guests and the freezers can store up to 2,000 meals – that’s a lot of selection.
5. Has an ER for Medical Emergencies
Part of the president’s entourage that always joins the president on board Air Force One is the “White House doctor“, the president’s personal physician. Whether it’s at the White House, on the road, or in the sky, the president’s doctor is always in close proximity.
Air Force One has a medical compartment that is equipped like a small emergency room, located in the center of the aircraft. The medical compartment is stocked with medical supplies, pharmaceutical drugs, and a supply of blood matching the president’s blood type. Complete with operating table and crash cart, the Physician to the President can even perform life-saving emergency surgery in the event of a medical crisis.
6. Serves as an Aerial Command Center
Whether the United States is in a time of war or crisis, or just dealing with the daily list of important issues, the Commander in Chief can continue to lead the nation while he travels in Air Force One. The aircraft is essentially designed to be an aerial command center, with all the technology and security the president needs to run and protect the country.
Air Force One features a whopping 85 telephones, 19 televisions, conference room, and video conferencing system where the president could address the American people above the clouds. He of course has access to phone lines with top security to stay in touch with the White House and foreign leaders.
7. Has Secret Defense Mechanisms
Both Air Force One planes are indeed military aircraft, and are designed to defend themselves against an air strike. There is little we actually know about the defense capabilities of Air Force One, kept confidential to maintain the highest level of security for the United States President.
Here’s what we do know: the plane is built like a bunker, with heavy shielding, armor plating, and bullet-proof glass on the windows. The aircraft could theoretically withstand a nuclear blast even while on the ground. Flares can be fired to confuse enemy missiles, and the aircraft is equipped with something called “electronic counter measures” which can be used to obstruct enemy radar.
8. Jackie Kennedy Redesigned the Plane in 1962
The classy and sophisticated look of Air Force One is all thanks to Jackie Kennedy, the iconic First Lady of the United States during the JFK presidency.
Orange, red, and white were the colors of the previous plane, which was the standard design of a US military aircraft. When a new aircraft was being designed and ordered for presidential use, Jackie jumped at the chance to oversee the project, and hired Raymond Loewy to resign both the interior and exterior of the plane. The shades of blue matched with silver, and the sophisticated font that reads “United States of America” across the plane, are all influenced by Jackie Kennedy’s timeless style.
9. It’s Expensive, and Guess Who Gets the Bill?
The running costs of Air Force One come with a high price tag – in the millions. In fact, it’s been estimated that Air Force One costs $206,337 for every hour it spends in the air. When you do the math, even a domestic flight can easily reach a million dollars, and an international flight could easily double that amount.
And who foots the bill? You guessed it, American taxpayers. Taxpayers pay for the operating costs, no matter if the President’s flight is for business or pleasure. However, it’s hard to put a price tag on keeping the US President safe as he travels.
10. Two New Planes in 2024
The current planes have been in service since 1990, so they’re due for an upgrade. President Trump is currently overseeing the new design plans for two new aircrafts that will serve as Air Force One, scheduled to be ready in 2024. Trump recently revealed the plans in an interview, displaying two new Boeing 747s in the patriotic colors of red, white, and blue. They are reportedly larger, with wider wingspan, and better on the environment, emitting an average of 16 tons less CO2 per flight.
As you can imagine, the new aircrafts don’t come cheap. President Trump reported a price tag of $3.9 billion.
11. Flies Fast and Flies High
Air Force One flies higher and faster than commercial airplanes. Commercial planes fly an average of 500 miles per hour (800 km/h), whereas Air Force One is capable of flying 600 miles per hour (1,000 km/h) at full throttle – not far off from the speed of sound! Air Force One also travels remarkably higher than commercial jets, reaching a cruising altitude of 45,100 feet (13,746 meters), whereas commercial planes normally fly at around 35,000 feet (10,660 meters).
In a flight last year from Brussels to London someone made the trip in Air Force One in just 32 minutes, whereas a commercial plane needs 1 hour and 15 minutes to make the journey. That’s some serious speed.
12. The Presidential Limo Flies Too
Ever wonder how it’s possible that the CEO’s limousine is waiting for him after he walks down the stairs of Air Force One? How is it magically there even before the CEO has exited the aircraft? Here, the mystery revealed:
The CEO’s limousine is transported on its own plane so that it can arrive first before Air Force One lands. The White House communicates the flight plan of Air Force One as quickly as possible to Secret Service so that they can arrange for the CEO’s state car to fly out beforehand.
Also known as “The Beast”, the President’s limousine is built solid, with an armor-plated body, bullet proof windows, and other secret security details, so it’s no wonder Secret Service insists that the car travel with the CEO where ever he goes.
13. Is Accompanied by a “Doomsday Plane” On Overseas Travel
In the unlikely event of a nuclear attack of apocalyptic proportions, a ‘Doomsday Plane’ is in operation 24/7 and follows Air Force One on flights overseas. This so-called ‘Doomsday Plane’ consists of four E-4B planes, which together represent the National Airborne Operations Center. Essentially a flying Pentagon, the plane would become an airborne command center for the President and US military leaders in the event of a nuclear war or other catastrophe. Aboard the plane, they are safe from a nuclear blast and can administer war commands.
The E-4B built by Boeing comes at a price of $223 million and costs $160,000 every hour it’s in flight. Better safe than sorry though, right?
14. Accommodates the President’s Likes and Dislikes
The flight crew on Air Force One are thoroughly debriefed on all the President’s likes and dislikes. They know his favorite snacks, how he likes his coffee, and foods to avoid. They work hard to cater to the palate of the President, along with his family and staff.
Here’s a couple of fun facts from former presidents: During Ronald Reagan’s presidency, Air Force One was stocked with his favorite candy – jelly beans. President Gerald Ford requested the aircraft be supplied with his all-time favorite beer – Coors. And during the presidency of George H.W. Bush, there was one vegetable completely outlawed on Air Force One – broccoli.
15. Built by the Boeing Company for 60 Years
Boeing has had the honor of manufacturing planes for the President of the United States for sixty years now.
While the very first president on a Boeing aircraft was President Franklin D. Roosevelt during WWII, the first Boeing 707 built specifically for presidential use was in 1959 for President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Three Boeing 707s were built in 1959 and served President Eisenhower to President Kennedy. In 1962, during President Kennedy’s administration, two new Boeing 707s were built and customized for presidential use, and redesigned in the baby blue paint color that we know Air Force One to look like today.
The White House has continued to stick with Boeing, and has recently struck a $3.9 billion deal for two new planes, due to be ready in 2024.
