With so many impressive aircraft in the sky these days, it's easy to forget the plane that started it all: Air Force One! A symbol of the power of the American presidency, several versions have flown leaders through the skies since the first model in 1953 under Eisenhower. True fact!
The Plane of All Planes
Rumor has it, this famous vessel is about to get a major update from Boeing for all future presidents to enjoy! Before a piece of history disappears forever, it's time to take a look at what American leaders have been flying around in for decades.
What features does it actually have today? The gossip is endless: Can Air Force One survive a nuclear disaster? Can it fit the entire U.S. Senate on board? A lot has changed over time, and so many questions must be answered!
It's pretty exciting stuff: Read on to witness the evolution of Air Force One, modern patriots!
Room For All Butts
Today, Air Force One is rather spacious. Some may wonder just how cozy this vessel is, with more specifics. Fact: 100 people can be on board at once! That breaks down to 26 crew members and 70 guests. But is that VIP seating for free, courtesy of the president?
No, for journalists, there is a fee. At $80,000 per seat, it's just not worth it sometimes! Newsrooms now must reimburse the taxpayer for the cost of travel, which is why many of them prefer charter flights. First-class is cheaper, frankly!
More Space Please
How big is this 100 person vessel, and what is included in a ride with the Commander in Chief these days? 4,000 square feet and three decks do have some exciting features! Public areas are designated for the press, plane workers, and special guests. Conference rooms, living space, and a presidential exercise room are always available.
But that's not all: All the while, endless electronics make this plane ride totally high tech. With a shocking 240 miles of wire running through the body of the aircraft, it's equipped for anything in the sky! But wait, how fast does it fly?
Superman Speed
Why, faster than a bird, faster than a plane — Air Force One can fly at 650 mph! And while typical planes stay at an altitude of 30,000 feet, Air Force One zooms above them all at 45,000. Usually though, it stays at a slowpoke speed of 580 mph. Way up in the clouds, anything is possible!
Americans can rest easy, knowing all preparations have been done. With a need to outrun explosions, enemy planes, and surprise threats, Boeing was not joking around with this design. Plus, no one wants to be late for tea with the queen!
Kitchens For Kings
But what about snack time, American-style? Sure, there's a tiny kitchen in the back of a charter flight. But Air Force One has considerably more food prep space! Not one, but two kitchens serve as the base to prepare four-course meals for 100 people at a time. Plus, the plane is stocked well, and the menu is pretty tasty: Parmesan fries with a blue-cheese burger, four-cheese pasta creations, buffalo wings, and more.
Of course, President Trump has been known to bring takeout from KFC and McDonald's onto the plane, and in the Oval Office as well. In the sky, there's plenty of comfort food! But is everything allowed?
Veggie Vengeance
Historically, there have been presidents with strong food preferences. President George HW Bush was a tough CIA Director before he assumed the big office. That doesn't mean he didn't have his quirks, privately. Fun fact: Despite his steely determination fighting communists, nothing intimidated him like one stinky vegetable. The man really hated broccoli!
President Bush banned it from Air Force One during his tenure, and the cooks obeyed. Most people love the stuff, though. It's been reinstated since then. But besides a custom meal, what else does the presidential plane provide?
Nuclear Blast-Proof
Total security, that's what! Even more impressive, Air Force One can outpace a nuclear explosion! In case this is news, the technology does exist on a presidential level. The plane's body is also designed to withstand the blast from the ground, making it a pretty comfortable bomb shelter in the sky.
Even better, it's impenetrable by radioactive material. In other words: Bombers, don't even bother! How does the prez make sure no one is lurking below, though? It turns out there is a method, starting in the sky. And it requires multi-level coordination!
VIP Access
With so many aircraft above at all times, it might seem challenging to clear the way. How does the presidential plane land? Air traffic controllers in the 1990's might remember the time that President Clinton kept all the LAX passengers waiting on the runway. The man was getting a haircut on Air Force One, and all flights came to a halt!
Air Force One actually gets priority over all planes in the sky. When the president lands or takes off, regular flights are usually stopped at the airport and the facilities may close for 20 minutes. The crew aims for military landing strips most of the time, thankfully!
Beauty and The USA Beast
When everything is just right, the plane lands. Some may wonder how the president actually leaves his sky wheels. Does he take a cab or an Uber? No, of course not. A presidential convoy is always organized ahead of time to pick up the VIP. What's it called?
At the moment, it has a special nickname: The Beast! The President walks directly into “Cadillac One” off the runway. Plus, the C-5 Galaxy and the C-141 Starlifter carry the State Car, which is a slick armored limo. Pimp My Ride never got to this level!
Presidential Safe Space
In case a landing isn't possible, how does business stay on track? Americans may be relieved to find out that their leader has a real mobile command center in the event of a national attack. If another 9/11 strikes, the president has everything he needs to conduct business from the sky. Even if it's just a birthday in the office kind of day!
Whether there is a natural disaster, a crazed mob taking over an airport, or an argument with the first lady, there is always a plan B. The President can use this flying office until everything is cleared on the ground, during any actual attack. Terrorists thwarted again!
Phone-tastic Flights
For any and all mobile needs, Air Force One is equipped for the chattiest of presidents. Strangely, 85 phones are installed on this aircraft for maximum communication! Truthfully, it's not just the commander that needs to conduct business without interruption. Think about the guests that regularly hop on board!
Everyone on the flight has important duties, to be sure. Negotiations, agreements, disputes — there's enough telephone wires to do it all! Sounds pretty office-friendly. And in every office, there have to be snacks! In the case of President Reagan, jelly beans were stocked in every room. Where does everyone snack, throughout the flight?
Seat Snatchers
No matter what, there are more than enough seats for the typical meeting. But quantity over quality is another question! Just in case fights over seating threaten cabin cohesion, there's always planning ahead of time. Every White House has its own rules, though!
The plan is this: Around half the seats are reserved for the press and Secret Service agents. The rest, who knows! Chances are, the President can sit wherever he wants, though. And that seems fair. Would anyone really protest if the Commander in Chief took the window seat?
Sky is No Limit
If anyone assumed this air beast made gas stops, it's time to learn just a bit more. Air Force One can refuel in the air, which is a pretty handy feature! No lines, no landings, just a slick pole extended straight into the gas tank of the plane mid-air. In the event of an attack, the President has no need to land at all.
Terrorists who think they can run out the clock are in for some sad times: Air Force One can fly across the globe on just one 53,000 gallon tank. A flight from DC to Tokyo is easy without refueling for just 6,735 nautical miles! Only the best for the prez, thanks to Boeing.
Major Plan B
Still, sometimes history happens when the president least expects it. No one can predict the future totally, even with the CIA! Spies might notice a mysterious second plane floats around the vicinity of Air Force One, once and awhile. What could it be?
This 747 is actually called the Doomsday Plane, and it's right there in case of a surprise attack on the President of the United States. There's always backup, of course! Bad news for evil terrorists, this plane can actually stay in the air for days. Good to know, right?
When Enemies Attack
Either way, this flying Oval Office has a few escape plans, to be sure. No matter what the enemy tries, there is a better idea! Electronic countermeasures to jam enemy radar, two-way radios, and flares under the plane wings to confuse heat-seeking missile attacks are just a few slick installations at the pleasure of the president.
While not everything can or should be revealed, this public admission is a pretty strong deterrent already. Tricksters beware! But the truth is, things were a lot less luxurious at the beginning. What was the first model like, back in the day?
Small and Sturdy
President Truman had a more basic set of wings, in his day. A C-54 Skymaster was named Sacred Cow, and dubbed the presidential plane. First used by FDR during the Yalta Conference during WWII, it wasn't a bad a ride. It's acceptable, really!
But Truman replaced it anyway in 1947 with a C-118 Liftmaster model. He named this one Independence, after his home in Missouri. With a painted bald eagle on the nose, it was already more extravagant. A process had begun of larger and larger planes, and this one wouldn't last for long!
Model Number One
The first-ever Air Force One dates back to 1953. Commercial air travel had become pretty popular by then, and the army brass saw that the prez needed extra-secure wings! President Dwight Eisenhower transformed his Lockheed Constellation into a special vessel. He slapped on the Air Force One sign, and away he flew!
This version remained in service from 1953 to 1954, replaced by the similar Columbine III. Here, Dwight and the beloved Mamie Eisenhower exit the plane, in style. This historic craft sits on display at an Air Force Base in Ohio, nowadays. After this, the planes only got bigger and bolder!
Rouge and White
And now, to the U.S. Air Force Boeing VC-137A-BN. John F. Kennedy's Air Force One was a major upgrade in the series. Sure, he was only president for a year and a half before his tragic end. But in that time, a lot of plane happened!
Here, JFK lands in Alameda, California in 1962. During this time, the term "Air Force One" itself gained popularity with the public, Red and white was certainly a color scheme in line with the national flag. But someone else in the White House had other ideas, in a family never short on style. Who got involved?
Designer Jackie
So many things these days are style over substance. Air Force One is not one of those things. But that doesn't mean good style can't be a priority! Wife Jackie O had different design ideas to update the craft. She got together with a Coca Cola designer and decided on a new look, all in blue and white. The Kennedy family really loved blue, in general!
Beyond the color change on the exterior, the interior was modernized. The title of the plane changed, too: "U.S. Air Force" became "The United States of America" in Caslon font. Super chic as always, Jackie O!
History in Action
Sadly, the stylish rides in the sky would come to an end a lot earlier than anyone anticipated. When JFK was assassinated, the nation was shocked. Quick action had to be taken to make sure the country had a continuous and functioning government. Here, an important photo was taken on board Air Force One, in the wake of the tragedy.
In the afternoon of November 22, 1963, President Lyndon Johnson was sworn in on board the plane. To this day, he was the only President to take the oath in the air! Right by his side is the newly widowed Jacqueline Kennedy. A picture is usually worth a thousand words, but this one is unique!
Decisions, Decisions
With so many flights throughout history, surely a few other memorable events happened on board! Some important decisions, perhaps? In the early 2000's, President George W. Bush did make some long-lasting choices while in the sky.
The Homeland Security Act of 2002 was passed after the September 11 attacks and a bunch of scary anthrax packages. The president explained: ''The new department will analyze threats, will guard our borders and airports, protect our critical infrastructure, and coordinate the response of our nation for future emergencies." Sounds like it was a big plan, for sure!
Spies In The Skies
Safety is not the only state of the art part of this super plane. What else is part of the package, in modern times? Readers may be surprised to see what has been added over the years! With spies, spies are everywhere, security got beefed up during the Cold War: In 1959, CIA director Allen Dulles installed cameras in the plane's wheel area.
These lenses were very powerful at the time, with the capability of reading car license plates from the sky! These days, the cameras are probably a bit better and a bit sneakier. The truth is, nobody knows the current installations. But what is known about the amenities on board?
Doc In The House
There's a tiny, little hospital on Air Force One. Some might joke that's great news for President Donald Trump! Famous for eating fast food, there's always a doctor around in case of heartburn. The medical suite is there for everyone on board, conveniently equipped with doctors, surgeons, nurses, and a real operating room.
Always prepared for the worst, safety comes first! Real-life emergencies have probably happened, but mum's the word on those things. In the time of COVID-19 and its 2020 spread through the White House, it's important to have a hospital-to-go!
That Floor Though
And what about the floorplan? The plane of all planes was a joint venture between Boeing, The Secret Service, and The White House. Together, a pretty functional project was created! Three decks boast separate entrances for the media, presidential staff, and the big man himself. Or perhaps soon, woman!
Unlike a regular plane, Airforce One had to meet special, extra-strict standards for design. The Secret Service had its own requests, and the operational needs of The White House were mandatory. Check and check — security will never be a concern. Plus, it's an American-made product. Can't go wrong there!
Totally Tricked Out
How much did all of this cost, by the way? With all these crazy features built-in, the price tag was significant. Surprise, surprise: Over $660 million of taxpayer dollars were spent during initial production! Undoubtedly, the updates have also been costly. Gotta keep up with enemy radar technology!
Air Force One is simply a symbol of the American presidency, at this point. But things never stay still forever! A new one is coming. On social media, President Trump revealed his vision for the next presidential plane. What are the ideas, currently?
Extreme Plane Makeover
President Trump has announced the future plane was negotiated at a significant price reduction. Only time will tell, and it's not finished yet! On Twitter, he posted a preview of the design, with a simple caption: "Here's your new Air Force One." At the moment, the production is meant to finish in 2024!
Reactions were mixed, after the big reveal online. The replacement is red, white, and blue. The stripe design is a bit different, too. But it's the inside that will probably be the biggest update. High tech gets higher-tech, every day now!
Bills, Bills, Bills
Air Force One is not an optional thing, really. Presidents cannot be vulnerable, even in first class on a commercial flight. But running a separate plane is not a cheap matter! At a reported $56K an hour to operate, a typical presidential golf trip is pretty pricey!
But wait: According to a Freedom of Information Act letter recently obtained by activists, that number may be even higher. Under Obama, Air Force One cost $206,337 per hour! How? Why? So many questions, so many dollars! Hopefully, there are at least some ideas, to save money?
Presidential Party
Sometimes, there is a taxpayer 2-for-1. In the past, presidents were often joined by previous presidents on board. It's funny to think they still fly together, but it's true! As the Obama-Bush trip to South Africa showed in 2013, it's always an opportunity for photo fun! What were they up to, by the way?
While it might seem like they had little in common, both wanted to attend memorial events for Nelson Mandela. After the former South African leader died, guests from across the spectrum paid their respects in person. And for two former presidents, Air Force One was the logical travel choice. Super secure!
Presidential Playlist
One question remains: How do leaders have actually fun on board? Historically, one movie has been played more than any other onboard Air Force One. Journalists especially had a crowd favorite back in the day, but which title took the honor? As it turns out, Fargo was a big hit during the Clinton years. Presidential journalist Helen Thomas called it "the record-holder of Longest Playing Film Aboard Air Force One."
With all the serious decision-making going on, Air Force One can be a pretty stressful place. President Clinton was also pretty musical, as a sax player. He loved to blast jazz at high volumes on flights. Sounds like a riot, when things lighten up!
Hello, Hollywood
Air Force One is quite a piece of tech. It's so admired that it even inspired a film — a blockbuster, no less! In 1997, Harrison Ford, Glenn Close, William H. Macy, and other stars teamed up for action. When terrorists hijack the presidential plane, all heck breaks loose!
The movie did well, earning $315,156,409 at the global box office. Viewers may have been curious if the movie version was really true to life. According to President Clinton, the escape pod and the parachute ramp in the back were inaccurate. But he still gave it a good review, like the rest of America! Rumor has it that a sequel is planned: Air Force Two. And yes, Harrison will be back!