Roberta Aguirre
The President of the United States has access to a variety of transportation options, including flying aboard Air Force One. The term Air Force One is used to designate any Air Force aircraft carrying the President, but it usually refers to one of two highly customised Boeing 747-200B series aircraft. The President's aircraft must be able to fly anywhere in the world at a moment's notice, and Air Force One has an unlimited range and can be refuelled mid-air. The President has also been known to fly on civilian aircraft, such as when President Richard Nixon and his family flew as commercial passengers on a United DC-10 from Washington Dulles to Los Angeles International Airport in 1973.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the airport | Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport |
| Location | Southwest of Washington, D.C., in the Crystal City section of Arlington County, Virginia |
| Year of opening | 1941 |
| Number of terminals | 2 |
| Year of opening of Terminal 2 | 1997 |
| Year the airport was renamed after Ronald Reagan | 1998 |
| Number of nonstop destinations as of October 2023 | 98 |
| Hub for | American Airlines |
| Hosting international flights | Yes |
| Number of runways | 3 |
| Length of runways 01/19 | 7,169 feet (2,185 m) |
| Aircraft used by the President | Air Force One, VC-25A, C-32, Gulfsteam III, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
- Air Force One: the official aircraft of the President of the United States
- Air Force One's specifications: the plane is equipped with advanced secure communication equipment and can be refuelled mid-air
- Air Force One's crew: the aircraft typically flies with 14 crew members, including pilots, flight crew, cooks, and flight attendants
- Alternative aircraft: the president occasionally flies aboard an Air Force C-32 or a Gulfstream C-37 variant
- Commercial airlines: United Airlines is the only commercial airline to have operated Executive One, with President Nixon flying as a passenger in 1973
Air Force One: the official aircraft of the President of the United States
Air Force One is the official aircraft of the President of the United States. The term is used to designate any Air Force aircraft carrying the President, but it usually refers to specific planes that are equipped to transport the Commander-in-Chief. These planes are two highly customised Boeing 747-200B series aircraft, with tail codes 28000 and 29000, and an Air Force designation of VC-25A.
The idea of designating specific military aircraft for the President arose during World War II, when advisors in the War Department were concerned about the risks of using commercial airlines for presidential travel. The first purpose-built presidential aircraft was a C-54 Skymaster, dubbed the Sacred Cow, which was used by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1945. In 1962, President John F. Kennedy became the first President to fly in a jet specifically built for presidential use, a modified Boeing 707.
Today, Air Force One is capable of refuelling mid-air and has an unlimited range, allowing the President to travel anywhere in the world at a moment's notice. The plane has 4,000 square feet of floor space across three levels, including an extensive suite for the President with a large office, lavatory, and conference room. Air Force One also includes a medical suite that can function as an operating room, with a doctor permanently on board, and two food preparation galleys that can feed 100 people at a time. The plane has quarters for those who accompany the President, including senior advisors, Secret Service officers, and the travelling press.
In addition to the President, staff, and flight crew, a VC-25A can carry 102 guests in typical domestic business-class seats. The primary VC-25A has three cooks and 15 flight attendants, 20 or more Secret Service agents, and 40 members of the presidential press pool. During international state visits, another aircraft may be chartered to accommodate the additional journalists and security personnel.
The President of the United States typically flies into military bases or smaller airports, as long as they can accommodate the plane.
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Air Force One's specifications: the plane is equipped with advanced secure communication equipment and can be refuelled mid-air
Air Force One is equipped with advanced secure communication equipment, allowing the president to stay connected to the rest of the world while in the air. The plane has about 238 miles of wiring, twice the amount found in a standard 747, and is shielded to protect its wiring and electronics from electromagnetic pulses, including those associated with a nuclear blast. The phone system supports normal air-to-ground connections and secure lines, and the plane has 85 onboard telephones, two-way radios, fax machines, and computer connections.
The plane also has an extensive medical facility, with a pharmacy, emergency room equipment, and a fold-out operating table. A staff doctor travels with the president to provide medical care whenever needed. The plane is designed to be self-sufficient and does not rely on airport facilities, enhancing security.
Air Force One is capable of mid-air refuelling, giving it an unlimited range and the ability to stay airborne indefinitely. This capability is crucial for emergency situations and ensures the president's safety by reducing the need to land. However, there are conflicting reports regarding whether Air Force One has ever been refuelled mid-air with the president onboard. Some sources indicate that it has never occurred due to security concerns, while others suggest it may happen when the president transfers to a refuelled plane during flight.
The current VC-25A aircraft, commonly used as Air Force One, can fly from Washington, D.C. to Athens without refuelling. However, for longer trips, such as to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, refuelling stops are typically made at air bases like Ramstein Air Base or RAF Mildenhall. The next-generation Air Force One aircraft are reportedly removing the mid-air refuelling capability to reduce costs, opting for greater flight range instead.
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Air Force One's crew: the aircraft typically flies with 14 crew members, including pilots, flight crew, cooks, and flight attendants
The President of the United States must be ready to travel anywhere in the world at a moment's notice. To facilitate this, the President has access to a variety of transportation options, including flying aboard Air Force One. The term "Air Force One" is used to designate any Air Force aircraft carrying the President, but it typically refers to one of two highly customised Boeing 747-200B series aircraft with the tail codes 28000 and 29000. These aircraft offer 4,000 square feet of floor space across three levels, including an extensive suite for the President with an office, lavatory, and conference room. The plane also includes a medical suite, two food preparation galleys, and quarters for senior advisors, Secret Service officers, the travelling press, and other guests.
To support the President's travel needs, Air Force One typically flies with 14 crew members, including pilots, flight crew, cooks, and flight attendants. The crew composition may vary depending on the specific requirements of each trip. For example, the primary VC-25A aircraft, which is one of the two Boeing 747-200B series planes designated as Air Force One, has a larger crew when transporting the President. It typically includes three cooks and 15 flight attendants, in addition to 20 or more Secret Service agents and 40 members of the presidential press pool. During international state visits, an additional aircraft may be chartered to accommodate the increased number of journalists and security personnel.
The backup VC-25, which is also a capable aircraft, typically has a slightly smaller crew of 14. This includes two pilots, six flight crew members, two cooks, and four flight attendants. The pilots are responsible for the safe operation of the aircraft, while the flight crew ensures the smooth functioning of the plane and the comfort of those on board. The cooks and flight attendants cater to the culinary and hospitality needs of the President and the guests on board.
The crew of Air Force One plays a critical role in ensuring the safety, comfort, and security of the President during their travels. They are trained to handle various scenarios and provide the necessary support to the President and the accompanying delegation. The specific crew composition may vary based on the nature of the trip, the number of guests on board, and the unique needs of each presidential administration. The crew works together seamlessly to create a mobile command centre that allows the President to lead the nation from the skies.
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Alternative aircraft: the president occasionally flies aboard an Air Force C-32 or a Gulfstream C-37 variant
While the president of the United States typically travels aboard Air Force One, which can refer to one of two highly customised Boeing 747-200B series aircraft with tail codes 28000 and 29000, there are alternative aircraft options. These alternatives are occasionally used by the president and include the Air Force C-32 and the Gulfstream C-37 variant.
The Air Force C-32 is a narrow-body jet based on the Boeing 757 airliner. The Air Force bought four C-32s in 1996 to fly the president to airports whose runways were too small to accommodate the larger VC-25, or as emergency backups. The C-32 has also been used by presidents when the use of the VC-25 could present operational risks. Today, these aircraft are typically used to fly vice presidents and other senior officials.
The Gulfstream C-37 variant, on the other hand, was used by President Barack Obama in 2009 for a personal trip to New York. This aircraft is smaller and more suited for low-key trips.
These alternative aircraft provide flexibility and discretion for the president's travel needs, especially when visiting smaller airports or when operational risks are a concern.
In addition to these alternatives, the president may also utilise other aircraft for specific purposes or when the primary presidential aircraft is unavailable. For example, several Boeing C-17 Globemaster IIIs typically accompany the president whenever he travels, carrying presidential limousines and other support vehicles. These aircraft have also been rumoured to discreetly transport presidents and vice presidents in and out of regions like Iraq and Afghanistan without using the Air Force One call sign.
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Commercial airlines: United Airlines is the only commercial airline to have operated Executive One, with President Nixon flying as a passenger in 1973
The President of the United States must be ready to travel anywhere in the world at a moment's notice. While the President typically flies on aircraft operated by the United States Armed Forces, there have been exceptions. The callsign "Executive One" is used to designate any United States civil aircraft when the President is on board.
On December 26, 1973, President Richard Nixon became the only sitting president to travel on a regularly scheduled commercial airline flight. Nixon flew on United Airlines Flight 55 from Washington Dulles International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport. The flight was operated by a United DC-10 jetliner.
Nixon's decision to fly commercial was initially sold to the press as an environmental move, a gesture of responsibility in energy-conscious times. However, the context of Nixon's flight suggests that it was, in fact, a stunt by a defeated man who had already given up on the presidency. Indeed, Nixon's vice president, Spiro Agnew, had resigned a mere two months prior amid a corruption scandal. Shortly after, Arab oil-exporting countries declared an embargo on the United States, and Nixon fired the Watergate special prosecutor, leading to the resignation of his attorney general and deputy attorney general in protest.
Despite the unusual nature of the President flying on a commercial airline, Nixon's presence onboard was not revealed to most passengers until midway through the flight, when he walked through the plane, shaking hands and signing autographs. To maintain secrecy prior to takeoff, the Secret Service and the airline organized a plan for Nixon to board without attracting attention. Additionally, a Nixon aide carried a suitcase-sized secure communication device onboard to allow the President to remain in contact with Washington in the event of an emergency.
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Frequently asked questions
The president of the United States uses any airport that can accommodate their aircraft. The first choice is usually a military base, but the president will also fly into smaller airports as long as they can handle the plane.
The president's aircraft is called Air Force One.
Air Force One is a highly customised Boeing 747-200B series aircraft.
The first aircraft to be called Air Force One was acquired in 1962 during the presidency of John F. Kennedy. The current iteration of Air Force One was delivered in 1990.
Air Force One has an unlimited range and can refuel mid-air. It has 4,000 square feet of floor space spread across three levels, including a suite for the president with a large office, lavatory, and conference room. It also has a medical suite that can function as an operating room, with a doctor permanently on board.
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