The Air Force calls it a VC-25A. Boeing calls it a 747-200B. You probably know it best as Air Force One.
Technically, Air Force One is the designation of any plane carrying the president of the United States, but since the middle of the 20th century, the term has been popularly used to refer to the specific airplanes designed and built to transport the leader of the free world. Today’s Air Force One was first delivered to President George H.W. Bush in 1990.
The three-level blue-and-white behemoth features offices, dining rooms, press areas, conference rooms, more than 100 passenger seats, a gym, kitchen and even an operating room. Plus, it’s capable of refueling in flight, giving it virtually unlimited range.
The Air Force recently announced that the next generation Air Force One will be a specially modified Boeing 747-8, the newest Boeing jumbo jet. While the delivery date has not yet been finalized, the next Air Force One is expected to carry future American presidents around the world until the middle of the 21st century. – Chris McKenna
Did you know?
The first sitting president to fly in an airplane was Franklin Roosevelt in 1943.
Here’s some photos of Air Force One through the years:
Be the first to comment