Though there’s tons of information available online about it, most people are unaware of the more interesting and secretive details. Fortunately, a few presidents have spilled the tea about Air Force One. As it turns out, it’s more than just a private jet for the POTUS. Read on to discover some of the secrets that have been leaked about Air Force One. A few of them might shock you.

Just because it can speed through the air doesn’t mean it should. Air Force One makes sure it smoothly glides through the sky at 600 miles per hour – a number that is close to the speed of sound. According to F-16 pilots who guarded Air Force One as it flew towards Washington on 9/11, they had to speed up to catch up to the Presidential plane.

The feature allows Air Force One to stay in the sky for an indefinite period of time. If it needs to refuel, a plane would simply hover above it and use the refueling probe located on the nose of the aircraft. This is a necessity during emergency situations where the president’s safety is compromised on the ground. Air Force One also utilizes a flexible fuel system to avoid being dependent on fossil fuels. At times, cooking oil is collected from the Capitol building to be re-used as Air Force One’s biofuel.

Guests on Air Force One need not tolerate airplane food as the chefs are dedicated to providing a rich menu for every flight. Their goal is to satisfy the President’s discerning palate. A sample meal served on Air Force One includes a sumptuous chicken Caesar wrap with delectable chips and pickles, partnered with refreshing lemonade. All plates used on the plane bear the Presidential seal.

Less secure lines are available for staff to use. The President exclusively uses the Airborne Executive Phone made by military contractor L-3 Communications. It can make secure and non-secure calls and offers independent levels of security for both internet data and digital voice access.

He did not just install a simple camera. Instead, his agency placed a super powerful spy camera that made it possible to read license plates from 30,000 feet up in the air. Today, numerous aviation experts believe that Air Force one still carries technologically advanced sky-to-ground cameras in its underbelly, including the aircraft’s wheel wells.

The first family travels with the Secret Service to ensure their safety and security. Staff and journalists also join in on some trips. However, they rarely ride with the Pres. Instead, they hang out at the back of the presidential plane. Still, this would be quite an experience! 

Private quarters are also available for special guests. These guests typically include the president’s senior advisors, members of the press, and officers from the Secret Service. At times, cargo planes accompany Air Force One to carry the President’s goods and vehicles whenever these are needed in remote locations.

Air Force One’s central seating area is specially reserved for the President and his family members. The aircraft is also able to carry a 26-member crew. This picture is enough to make anyone wish their mom or dad had become president!

The costs for carrying President Trump totaled $10 million during his first month in the position. However, the United States Air Force revealed that for the 2021 Fiscal Year, the cost of operating the aircraft decreased by $177,843.

This airborne decision permanently changed the country’s inner workings. Specifically, Homeland Security was created to ensure that America remained safe and protected from acts of terrorism. The department aims to minimize the country’s vulnerability to attacks.

The plane’s capacity to withstand a nuclear attack was almost tested for real after Russian President Vladimir Putin revealed that his country’s nuclear powers would be placed on high alert. Air Force One immediately engaged on a brief training mission accompanied by jets designed to identify ballistic missiles.

Once it lands, the aircraft is contained and isolated. Any outside services are not necessary, and the POTUS is immediately transferred to “The Beast” – a Cadillac One ground vehicle. Contrary to popular belief, Air Force One has no escape hatch.

There is also a functional operating room on Air Force One that can double as a medical suite. The aircraft cannot fly without a doctor on board, as that simply wouldn’t be the safest option for the president.

Jackie Kennedy’s original decor can be seen at the USAF Museum located in Dayton, Ohio. Air Force One’s current style is considered a design classic as it harkens back to the 1960s when JFK and one of the industrial design fathers, Raymond Loewy, collaborated to make the plane look elegant.

Technically, POTUS has an able and ready mobile command center he can use whichever way he prefers. Air Force One’s electronics are hardened to shield them from any form of electromagnetic pulse. This allows the President to respond immediately in case of an attack.

What got the President hooked on these candies was his experience of touring the White House when he was a child. According to Reagan, during the tour, a nice man handed him jelly beans. It was then that he realized that jelly beans were more than just simple treats. He believed they represented America’s greatness and uniqueness.

We hear the Vice President is able to use Air Force Two, and if the President needs to travel by sea, there is also a vehicle called Marine One.

In 1990, Bush declared to the world his hatred of the green vegetable. According to the President, he never grew out of his childish hatred for broccoli, despite his mother’s insistence that he eat it. Since he was now POTUS, no one could order him to eat it anymore, not even his wife.

Prior to 1985, Coors Beer was only available in Western states. He reportedly smuggled some prior to flying back to Washington DC. Rumors were also rife that he even took the presidential aircraft out for the sole purpose of getting Coors to fill up his stash.

Trump also claimed that his Trump Force One possessed Rolls-Royce engines. It can accommodate 43 seated passengers. The plane was seen on the Discovery Channel and was touted as the “most luxurious jetliner” in the world.

The specific function of the “Doomsday Plane” is to protect Air Force One. It always follows the aircraft of the POTUS wherever it may go as it aims to provide highly specialized security.

All its windows are gunfire-proof and heavily armored. The aircraft can also release flares in order to confuse enemy missiles. The presidential plane has a retractable staircase, meaning it doesn’t have to be dependent on airport staircases during emergencies. These are just a few of the wild security measures the plane is fitted with.

The availability of the TVs allows any passenger to view one wherever they may be on the plane. One reason for the sheer number is the presence of media and the press during trips. Even if reporters aren’t on board, the president needs to remain up-to-date with recent news and broadcasts.

Plus, the planes were purchased during the Reagan administration and were only used in the 1990s by President George H.W. Bush. Consequently, spare parts had to be retrieved from old jetliners parked in the desert.

The new Air Force Ones will be based on the new Boeing 747-8 series. Both planes are estimated to cost $3 billion dollars and are being readied for probable use after 2024. We can’t wait to see what bells and whistles the brand-new presidential planes feature!

Boeing was eventually awarded the contract to customize and engineer fridges for the aircraft. Air Force One has to be able to feed crew members and passengers for weeks without having to resupply, hence the large size requirement.

Contractors keep the aircraft in pristine condition, regularly checking every inch of the plane, including the fuel and the tanks. When not in use, the entire plane is heavily guarded 24/7 by armed forces at the Andrews Air Force Base.

Defenders of the plane note that such issues will persist in each new administration. Their focus remains on the security and safety of the POTUS and on keeping the aircraft in the best possible shape.

If members of the media are included on a flight, they are expected to be the “eyes and ears” of citizens. The purpose of their presence is to represent various newspapers, wire services, radio stations, news websites, and television networks.

“The Beast” is a Cadillac that arrives ahead of the President via a cargo plane. The vehicle allows the Secret Service to secure POTUS on land. It stands ready and waiting once Air Force One lands on any tarmac in any part of the world.

For fifteen years, the presidential plane was powered by propellers. It was only during JFK’s administration that a jet was purpose-built and modified to serve the needs of the POTUS. A Boeing 707 jet was utilized and customized according to the demands of the position.

However, problems often occur with the technical requirements of new presidential aircraft. The constant influx of new specifications was a heavy load for the Pentagon. Fortunately, the government finally decided to use Boeing due to its reputation as the largest aircraft manufacturer in the world.

The sitting President must ensure that the purchase was made during his second term. Doing so ensures the sitting president won’t benefit from the plane within his term. Instead, he is ordering the new aircraft to be delivered to and used by future presidents. Obama purchased a new Air Force One during his second term.

At the time, he was parked at LAX – one of the nation’s busiest airports – and this caused problems for other incoming and outgoing aircraft. Air traffic controllers were forced to scramble to stop other planes from landing. Passengers had to wait as POTUS finished his haircut before their plane could land or depart. Few people were supportive of this strange presidential decision.

Seats on Air Force One are assigned and limited. There are specific rules each administration has with regards to who gets to sit where. Most of the seats are reserved for the press and the Secret Service.

Many have seen him play the saxophone. He has also openly expressed his love for jazz. During his time, Clinton belted out smooth jazz tones on long-haul flights, turning Air Force One into a flying jazz club.

All other air traffic takes second priority and must remain grounded until the presidential plane has landed or taken off. Due to the critical importance of Air Force One and the way it disrupts the schedules of commercial airlines, Air Force One usually lands at military bases.

More than just your basic presidential air transport, Air Force One functions as a status symbol for the country. Its exemplary stature also represents the superb might of America’s military and economic power. This aircraft means a lot to the nation and its government.

It was approximately noon (EST) when the presidency was officially handed to Gerald Ford, and Air Force One – which was halfway through the transcontinental trip  – suddenly became Special Air Mission 28000.

Nixon’s administration found his decision to be not at all prudent. The military decided to designate United Airlines as “Executive One” because it was carrying the president. This is the official designation for any civilian aircraft the sitting president decides to board.