“Presidential Aircraft Evolution Unveiled: A Look at the History of Air Force One”
The Boeing 707 Stratoliner used by President Eisenhower, affectionately known as “Queenie,” boasted amenities such as a telecommunications section, seating for 40 passengers, a conference area, and a stateroom, as detailed in Encyclopedia Britannica. Following Eisenhower, President John F. Kennedy became the first to utilize a jet tailored specifically for the US president, identified by the tail number 26000. Notably, the interior of the aircraft included a living room, bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen. Renowned designer Raymond Loewy crafted the distinctive blue-and-white exterior of the plane, which prominently displayed the American flag on the tail and presidential seals on the nose. After Kennedy’s tragic assassination in 1963, Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn in as president aboard Air Force One—an unprecedented event. Johnson held meetings with his Cabinet members in the plane’s small seating area in 1966, adorned with a globe decal and window curtains. Subsequently, President Richard Nixon utilized a Boeing 707 with the tail number 27000 as Air Force One in 1972, employing the aircraft’s bar area for discussions with military and civilian leaders during travel to Vietnam. As Nixon resigned, Gerald Ford assumed office and made modifications to the rear cabin’s seating. Ford also engaged in conversations with reporters in the rear cabin and his office, featuring striped furniture. President Jimmy Carter later revamped the press area with blue carpeting, engaging with journalists during a return trip from Europe in 1978. Ronald Reagan continued to utilize the Boeing 707, where he conducted meetings with key advisors, including Secretary of State George P. Shultz and national-security advisor designate Robert McFarlane in a designated meeting space. Reagan personalized the aircraft’s interior with photos and decorative elements, such as new blue-striped curtains that complemented the existing décor. The meeting room was also equipped with a television set. George H. W. Bush’s presidency marked a new era in the evolution of presidential aircraft in 1990.
Air Force One, utilizing new Boeing 747 planes with tail numbers 28000 and 29000, serves as the presidential office in the air. The office was recently renovated with a stately desk, gray carpeting, and leather chairs. The staff and secretarial area are designed with neutral whites and grays, featuring plenty of phones for official business. Air Force One is famously known as the “flying Oval Office.” The annex of the plane can be configured for medical use and is pictured in executive configuration with seating for meetings.
The new planes provide over 4,000 square feet of space, often used by President Bill Clinton for various meetings. In 1997, Clinton met with a delegation from North and South Dakota to address flooding, while in 1999, he discussed nuclear-waste management with members of Congress. President George W. Bush flew the plane with tail number 27000 for the last time in August 2001 before it was retired to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. During the tragic events of September 11, 2001, the Secret Service kept Bush in the air aboard the new Air Force One, which was described as both the safest and most dangerous place in the world at the same time.
The president’s suite features a small bed, light-pink couch, carpeting, and a desk with a brown leather chair. The hallway is decorated with a beige couch, side tables, and lamps. When President Barack Obama assumed office in 2009, the conference room of Air Force One was equipped with a TV screen and leather chairs. The plane boasts 85 phone lines, encryption, and scrambling devices for secure communication. Additionally, a decal reading “Air Force One” adorns the wood paneling in the conference room.
One.Official White House Photo by Pete Souza
Food and drinks are provided by the plane’s galley kitchen. The plane’s senior staff room featured more phones, a coat closet, and leather chairs. President Barack Obama with senior staff and President Bill Clinton on Air Force One. Official White House Photo by Pete Souza
Obama met with his chief of staff, Jack Lew, his senior advisors David Axelrod and David Plouffe, and former President Bill Clinton in the senior staff room in 2012. The presidential office furniture was also updated, with mahogany chairs and sofas replacing the gray. President Barack Obama with staff on Air Force One. Official White House Photo by Pete Souza
The carpeting was updated to a subtle star pattern, which also appeared in the conference room. The plane’s guest section was reserved for special visitors like members of Congress. President Barack Obama with a congressional delegation aboard Air Force One. Official White House photo by Pete Souza
The chairs featured a subtle polka-dot pattern, and the tables folded down to make more space. The rear cabin for press looked like a standard commercial airliner. President Barack Obama briefed journalists on Air Force One. JEWEL SAMAD/AFP via Getty Images
Journalists can wander the rear cabin freely, but they aren’t allowed to walk forward to speak to the president — the president has to come back to them. President Donald Trump proposed new paint colors for the exterior of Air Force One in 2019. A model of the proposed paint scheme of the next generation of Air Force One. Alex Wong/Getty Images
As part of the Air Force’s Presidential Aircraft Recapitalization program to update Air Force One planes, Trump proposed a red, white, and navy-blue color scheme for the new models. The Air Force ultimately rejected Trump’s proposed color scheme because it would have been more costly and caused engineering issues.
Air Force One in February. Brittany Murray/MediaNews Group/Long Beach Press-Telegram via Getty Images
The darker paint color would have caused overheating issues and been too costly. Instead, President Joe Biden selected a baby-blue color scheme similar to the current model. The new VC-25B Air Force One planes are expected to be ready by 2027, according to the Air Force. The project has already cost Boeing over $2 million due to various manufacturing and supply-chain issues. In President Joe Biden’s Air Force One, the conference room had the same star carpeting as the plane’s presidential office. President Joe Biden met with staff aboard Air Force One. Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz
Plain beige carpeting continued down the hallway. The placard in the conference room was updated to read “Aboard Air Force One” with an image of the iconic aircraft. President Joe Biden on the phone on Air Force One. Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz
Biden took his first overseas trip as president in June 2021, visiting Europe for the G7 summit.
