Donald Trump’s return to the White House as the 47th president of the United States is turning out to be a headline-grabbing term, considering his penchant for making rapid decisions. From starting a tariff war to signing executive orders targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and dramatic deportations, Trump isn’t resting before making significant shakeups in the system. While his federal decisions continue to court controversy, the President’s latest move, drawing flak from the opposition, is the acceptance of a 747 jetliner as a gift from the government of Qatar. Before the luxury jet is turned into the new Air Force One for President Trump, here is a comparison of the current Air Force One vs 747-8 jet in terms of their amenities and historical significance.
After much speculation, on May 21, it was confirmed that the Secretary of Defence of the United States of America accepted the Boeing 747 jumbo jet from Qatar. Later, Pentagon officials also stated that the Defence Department has already begun planning to convert the plane into an Air Force One. Irking a strong response from the opposition, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer criticised the move, calling it the “largest bribe from a foreign government in American history.”
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Meanwhile, the luxury Boeing 747 jet, which is reportedly worth USD 400 million, has been drawing attention for its premium facilities that display heightened glitz and grandeur compared to the specially configured 747-200B, the current presidential jet. With President Trump planning to move on from the two 747-200 jets that are currently a part of the Air Force One fleet, let us look at the exclusive amenities of the Air Force One and the premium features of the Qatar-gifted jet.
Air Force One vs Luxury jet 747-8: Amenities, history and more
How Air Force One became a symbol of the US Presidency
The mere mention of Air Force One brings the pictoral representation of a jet plastered with the words “United States of America” along with the American flag, and the Seal of the President of the United States. The term Air Force One itself is attributed to specific planes that are equipped to transport the US President. Currently, the Air Force One fleet includes two customised Boeing 747-200B series aircraft.
While the name of the Presidential jet is widely recognised today, it wasn’t until 1954 that this call sign was assigned to the Presidential aircraft. After a Lockheed Constellation jet carrying President Dwight D. Eisenhower was confused with a commercial airline flight using the same flight number, the call sign “Air Force One” came into existence to avoid such situations. While it was used informally during Eisenhower’s term, it wasn’t until 1962 that it was officially adopted during John F. Kennedy’s presidency.
It was during the Kennedy administration that the first jet specifically built for presidential use was delivered with the tail number 26000 and the official designation VC-137C. Eventually, as Air Force One became a universally known name for the presidential jet, it also entered the pop culture zeitgeist with Harrison Ford’s 1997 movie, Air Force One, that revolved around a fictional hijacking of the President of the United States of America.
Boeing 747-200B: Custom features and cost of the current Air Force One
The current 747s that are a part of the presidential fleet have been in use since the 1990s but have undergone customisations over the years to keep up with technological advancements. These aircraft have witnessed firsthand the changing fabric of American history and have been used by six presidents, beginning with the term of George H.W. Bush. The importance of the need for a high-functioning Air Force One was first expressed by George W. Bush after he and his advisers spent more than eight hours aboard the presidential jet following the tragic 9/11 attacks. It was regarded as the safest place for the President at the time.
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With several communication channels available while in the air, the biggest factor that separates the presidential jet from others is its state-of-the-art communication facilities, which consist of multi-frequency radios for air-to-air, air-to-ground and satellite communications. It is also equipped with telecom equipment that can allow the president to make an address from the sky, if need be.
Another key feature of the current Air Force One is its ability to refuel midair with an unlimited range. Spread across three levels, the jet boasts 4,000 square feet of floor space. The specially designed presidential suite features a large office, a lavatory, and a conference room. The jet also consists of multiple quarters to accommodate those accompanying the President. Additionally, the aircraft is also equipped with a medical suite to deal with emergencies. Along with a fully functional operating room, a doctor is permanently on board the jet.
Furthermore, Air Force One also has superior catering facilities with a chef, a sous chef, and a bartender on board. With a full-service pantry, it is believed that the food preparation galleys can feed up to 100 people at a time. With all these amenities, the operating cost of Air Force One is estimated to be between USD 180,000 and 200,000 per hour. These expenses include the massive fuel cost as well as crew salaries, maintenance, and other expenses.
Despite its custom facilities specially designed for presidential use, Trump has complained about the jet being slow and in 2018 even struck a deal with Boeing to develop two new Air Force One planes at a staggering price tag of USD 3.9 billion. However, CNN reported the new planes could be delivered by 2027. In the meantime, it looks like Qatar’s 747-8 jet could replace the current Air Force One.
Boeing 747-8: Speed, cost and and opulence
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Qatar’s grand gift for President Trump, the 747-8 jet instantly scores a win against the current Air Force One with its mammoth 18 feet 4 inches size and a superior speed of 656 mph/Mach 0.86. The luxury jet can accommodate up to 103 passengers, which is a tad more than Air Force One’s 101 capacity. Before becoming a luxurious gift to the United States of America, the 747-8 jet belonged to the Qatari royal family. Built in 2012, the plane also underwent significant refurbishment before it began service in 2015. Given its fairly new composition, the aircraft does stand out compared to the Air Force One, dating back to the 1990s. Yet, despite its ability to chart more than 1000 miles in a single flight, it does not offer in-flight refuelling – a key feature of the presidential jet.
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In terms of extravagance, Boeing 747-8 has plenty, starting from its appealing look that incorporates modern design elements like touchscreen light switches. Dubbed as the “flying palace”, the jet has been designed by the French interior design firm Alberto Pinto Cabinet. The interiors include a heavy usage of elegant, cream shades, providing a luxurious look. The plush seating on the jet includes leather recliners offering maximum comfort.
Also onboard are nine lavatories, a master bedroom at the front, a guest bedroom, five small kitchens and a private office. It also hosts state lounges and dining rooms in the two business-class sections. Despite the array of facilities provided by the jumbo jet, the US administration is expected to incur a massive cost to turn the Qatari 747 aircraft into Air Force One, with modifications that may cost upwards of USD 1 billion.
(Main and featured images: Brendan Smialowski/AFP; White House)
This story first appeared here.