Air Force One about to land at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
Air Force One has been an iconic aircraft since before I was born (not caring who was onboard, of course). Yes, I know that any aircraft carrying the U.S. President is called Air Force One, but I am talking about the two VC-25As – built off the Boeing 747-200 – that typically fly the president around the world. Those two planes (registration SAM 28000 and SAM 29000) not only represent the office of the president, but also our entire nation. In some ways, it says who we are as a people and how we want other nations to see us. Our country is also in the process of upgrading Air Force One to a pair of Boeing 747-8 Intercontinentals, called the VC-25B. You can probably look up dates when they might be finished, but I am willing to bet that the aircraft will be delayed.
I have also always been interested in the types of aircraft that other world leaders use for official duties around the world. Does it say something about their people? Their economies? Embargoes? Or what they might find cool and interesting? In this story I wanted to share in photos some of those aircraft. I am for sure not going to hit everyone, just those that I find the most interesting. Some leaders have an entire fleet of aircraft, while others might lease commercial aircraft from other countries to act as their state planes. The lines can often get blurred, but there are some interesting ones out there! I am not trying to make any political statements on why one state might run a fleet of wide-bodies, while another has a Cessna 152.
A C-32, based on the Boeing 757 – Photo: Jacob Pfleger
As you are looking through them… think about which aircraft you would want if you were a world leader. Sure, the Boeing 747 or Airbus A380 might seem like an easy choice for those who want to show off a bit, but not all airports can handle those big gals… hence why the U.S. has quite the fleet, including Boeing 757s (aka C-32), 737s (aka C-40), and many other aircraft at their disposal. Here we go!
ALGERIA: Algeria has a few planes that they use, but the ultra-long-range Airbus A340-500 is the pride of the fleet. Flying under the Algerian Air Force titles, this A345 is registered as 7T-VPP. – Photo: Jan Kertzscher | GFDL 1.2
ARGENTINA: Almost any livery looks good on a 757 and I think Argentina’s looks amazing. Unfortunately this bird doesn’t fly for the country anymore — but a 737-500 does. – Photo: Jason Rabinowitz
AUSTRALIA: Okay, not currently, but I thought this classic Royal Australian Air Force Boeing 707, seen in 1979, looked too good not to share – Photo: Steve Fitzgerald | GFDL 1.2
The RAAF Boeing 737-700 BBJ gets the job done, but is not as beautiful as the 707 – Photo Ev Brown | FlickrCC
BAHRAIN: The Kingdom of Bahrain is one of those that have plenty of planes to choose from when someone in the Royal Family is looking to take a trip. And really, the fleet sounds like an AvGeek dream: Boeing 747SP, 747-8I, 727, and smaller planes that aren’t as exciting (you know, like the Gulfstream IV, G540, G550, and G650).
The Kingdom of Bahrain Boeing 747SP – Photo: Frans Zwart | FlickrCC
The Kingdom of Bahrain Boeing 727-200 – Photo: Aero Icarus | FlickrCC
The Kingdom of Bahrain Boeing 747-400 BBJ – Photo: LFSB Planes Pictures | Flickr CC
BELARUS: Althought Belarus also uses Boeing BBJ and a 767-300ER for government business, they are still rocking a Tupolev Tu-154M, which is cool for any AvGeek – Photo: Jason Rabinowitz
BRUNEI: The Sultan of Brunei has always had an impressive fleet of aircraft. Here is his Boeing 747-400, but he has now upgraded to 747-8 BBJ, with the same livery. – Photo: Jason Rabinowitz
His Majesty used to fly the A340-200, which has a livery that most closely matches their nation’s airline. The registration (V8-BKH) is now used on the 747-8 BBJ – Photo: John Taggart | FlickrCC
BRUKINA FASO: The West African country of Brukina Faso uses a Boeing 727-200 for short-haul flights and rents out other aircraft for longer flights – Photo: LFSB Planes Pictures | FlickrCC
CANADA: Oh Canada! What a great fleet you got there, aircraft for diverse needs. They operate five CC-150 Polaris aircraft, based off the Airbus A310-300. Well, “operate” when they work — those are classic birds.
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- The A310 Royalty flies on, aka “CAN Force One” – Photo: Liam Allport | FlickrCC
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- One of the 15004 CC-150 Polaris CAF refuelers – Photo: Mark Harkin | FlickrCC
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- One of the strategic airlifters in a retro looking livery – Photo: Anna Zvereva | FlickrCC
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- Rocking it in action! I am guessing that is a C/A-18? Photo: NATO | FlickrCC
CHAD: Chad has operated a number of different aircraft, including an MD-87, 737 BBJ, and this 767 for a short time – Photo: James | Flickr CC
CHILE: Chilean VIP 737-500 transport, which has a very official looking livery. This is only used for short-haul, where the aircraft below for longer. – Photo: YSSYguy | GFDL 1.2
Although this 767-300ER has a military livery (notice that sweet rudder though), it is for VIP Chilean transport and cargo
CHINA: Knowing exactly what Chinese leaders use is not as easy. There appears to be a fleet of aircraft, all Western, used for just VIP transport and some will be converted from passenger to VIP and back – Photo: Asuspine | GFDL 1.2
CUBA: The Il-96 is a great plane for an AvGeek to fly and also the one that the Cuban President rides. – Photo: Dmitry Terekhov | FlickrCC
CZECH REPUBLIC: The Czech Republic has a number of smaller VIP aircraft, but this Airbus A319CJ just looks beautiful in that livery! – Photo: Denmen Aviation Photography | FlickrCC
EGYPT: The Egyptian government has a pretty respectable fleet of smaller aircraft, like the Kingair, Falcons, and Gulfstreams, but the real VIP aircraft in the fleet is their Airbus A340-200. Check out those lower winglets. – Photo: Jason Rabinowitz
ESWATINI: The government of Eswatini operates this sweet looking Airbus A340-300 and also an MD-80 for short-haul flights – Photo: Adam Moreira | GFDL 1.2
FRANCE: Not too surprising that the French President would fly on an Airbus — an A330-200 to be exact. The government has a number of transport airplanes, including the A310 and A340. – Photo: Jason Rabinowitz
GAMBIA: Taken in 2014, the combo of aircraft and livery of Gambia’s VIP transport (reg C5-RTG) is easily in my top 3. Not only is it an Ilyushin Il-62M, but it also has such fun colors. – Photo: Jason Rabinowitz
GERMANY: I love this design. So simple, yet elegant. This is one of three new Airbus A350s going to replace the aging A340s and A310. – Photo: Lufthansa Technik
The current “Konrad Adenauer,” which is the aircraft used for VIP transport — an Airbus A340-300 – Photo: BriYYZ | GFDL 1.2
INDIA: Although India has previously used Air India Boeing 747-400s, they are transitioning to 777-300ERs – Photo: Vikramdabas | GFDL 1.2
Previously, Air India Boeing 747s were used – Photo: Colin Brown Photography | FlickrCC
INDONESIA: Indonesia operates a Boeing Business Jet 737-800 seen in state livery –
Photo: Rob Schleiffert | GFDL 1.2
IRAN: Back in the day, Iran used to operate a classic… a Boeing 747SP – Photo: Jason Rabinowitz
Today, The Islamic Republic of Iran has their own Airbus A340-300 – Photo: Papas Dos | FlickrCC
ISRAEL: Called the “Wing of Zion” this 767-300ER was converted to VIP transport for the Israeli Prime Minister in 2019 – Photo: Rami Mizrahi | GFDL 1.2
JAPAN: Up until recently, Japan used Boeing 747-400s for their head of state transport – Photo: Jason Rabinowitz
Today, Japan uses the more fuel efficient Boeing 777-300ER – Photo: Dylan Agbagni (CC0) | FlickrCC
And that takes us through J, which those of you alphabet experts know is not the end, but I think it is a good stopping point for the first part of this story and I will continue on with rest of the nations in a second piece. Up through J, was there an interesting aircraft that you felt I missed? Also let me know what aircraft you would choose, if you were a world leader and finances were not much of a concern (i.e. having 1-2 aircraft types, not 20).
David,
Awesome pics of Air Force Ones around the world!! For a larger country the 747 remains the flagship Queen (notice I didn”t use the term ”King”) of big airplanes hands down. Nothing comes close. It has the range, the performance, the prowess that is projected and required when arriving in another country! But most importantly it has beauty and glamour that no other aircraft has. Just looking at Red China”s 74 with fighters in trail gives me goose bumps. For smaller countries I would choose a stretch 757-300. It too has performance which enables it to get in and get out of high altitude airports unlike any other aircraft in the world with it”s rocket like Rolls Royce engines. It can
easily hop across oceans of the world, but most importantly as with it”s counterpart of big aircraft, it has a look that no other airplane has. If you get your hands on a head on shot of the 757, you”ll notice a remarkable similarity to a Klingon ”Bird of Prey”!! Of course I”m biased seeing how I flew 75s down to the Caribbean and Caracas for 12 years, but so what. The 75 is the Porsche of larger airplanes and that”s a fact! Both Performance and Looks puts it in a category way above any other non wide body category!! Next time I”d request you do a counterpart to exterior shots and do a story on interiors of all these VIP aircraft. I think President Trump”s 757 as a backdrop at his rallies spoke volumes about that airplane. What an incredible stage he has. He recognizes a great airplane when he sees it which explains why Trump 01, his personal airplane is a black 757!!
You lost me at ”Trump”. Much better to avoid mentioning politicians here (especially that one), to remain friends.
You lost me at “Trump”. Much better to avoid mentioning politicians here (especially that one), to remain friends.
So now there”s been an edict issued banning the use of our president”s name?? The Left continues in their brazen ways, politicizing everything.
No Stewart, I”ll keep mentioning how amazingly beautiful our president”s fleet is. There”s an election coming up. If you don”t like who our President is, I suggest you run to your local ballot box without a mask and vote! But please don”t play language cop with me. You are so much like our ”friends” on the Left who demand that only their view matters. Sorry ”I lost you”! Maybe you could find me by reading my post over and over, until you come to realize our president”s superior taste in airplanes!!
Here”s one of our Bird of Preys approaching SXM one day. SHE”s a beaut, isn”t SHE, or have you banned ”American” from your lexicon as well??
Last I checked, the fleet belonged to the people, not the president.
And as far as I know, Trump didn’t choose the fleet. So not sure his taste comes into it. My point, which still stands is that this is an aviation site, not a political forum, and it would be better to avoid bringing politics into the discussion.
I believe this to NOT be political. You are the one who made it political by dissing our President, insinuating how we should avoid mentioning his name. Mentioning a president and HIS airplane could hardly be considered political (except by a Liberal). I guess you”ve concluded that the entire article on the aircraft used by heads of state was political seeing how they”re used by various presidents, dictators, monarchs, etc. So why you”re even responding to my comments about President TRUMP”s fleet of aircraft remains quite perplexing actually. Mentioning ”global warming”, the mandatory covering up of one”s identity with a rag that does no good, especially when worn by bearded millennials, Project 1619, CRT, the dangers of LED lighting, how fossil fuels are destroying planet Earth as we know it, murdering babies at birth, these kind of things – they”re political.
It”s obvious you have difficulty separating political from non-political so I thought I”d help you out and provide some examples. MAGA btw
Great article David! Not sure Cubana has IL-62 anymore unfortunately… According to Airfleets they are down to four IL-96 and 2 ATRs.
Hey Stewart,
Thanks for pointing this out. I think I got too excited with the idea of having both aircraft types :). I have corrected the caption.
David
Hey Bill and Stewart,
One of the things I love about AirlineReporter is I rarely have to manage the comments, and things don’t get too crazy. I knew going into this story it could heat up some political thoughts and we are all human, so it happens. But I kindly ask let’s just talk about the planes and not worry about who wait what when and leave the politics to the many, many other websites that are out there!
Thanks for reading!
David
Thanks David, exactly my point!
David, I appreciate your perspective on this. I agree with you. Sadly though, there are many people in our country who now make it a habit of politicizing anything that they can use to further their agenda. Some people have gone so far as to view airplanes harmful to the environment, playing a significant factor in the production of a carbon footprint and calling for their elimination!
But I believe they truly are necessary, especially for heads of State.
Regardless of who is President, both the 747 and 75, when used as a backdrop for events, are things of beauty and wonder, evoking an overwhelming sense of national pride and patriotism for many Americans.
That”s probably true for many other nation”s people and their Air Force Ones as well! If you recall four years ago – that magnificent 707 with it”s beautiful paint job at President Reagan”s museum being used as a backdrop for the Republican debates. They erected a stage where the candidates would debate each other, a stage which floated 50 feet in the air, level with Air Force One, the same plane that once ferried Reagan and six other presidents. Though I”ve traveled to every one of our 50 states, I still have yet to be able to see Reagan”s 707. It remains on my bucket list. Gosh, hope others don”t think this political – connecting an airplane to it”s president!! Airplanes have always played an important role in history and hopefully will continue to do so in the future. To politicize history and demand that certain president”s names be squelched when used to recall various events which involved certain airplanes is nothing less than political correctness and revisionist history in my view. The following are profound words, eloquently written, providing perhaps the most appropriate summary of what Air Force One is all about.
And as we liftoff aboard Air Force One…the winds of freedom will be propelling my mission… As I fly westward over our majestic land, I go knowing that we´re witnessing an awakening to those self—evident truths to which our forefathers pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.”
— Ronald Reagan, April 23, 1986
For the benefit of new readers who may be unaware, the two “new” Air Force Ones rolled out of the factory SEVERAL years ago. (I’d have to search … for precise dates.) They were ordered by Transero (Russia) but NTU; after that airline went “Tango Uniform”. They were parked-up on the PAE ramp for a time and were later ferried down to the Land of Sand – VCV, as I recall. While at PAE, they likely did there B1 – perhaps B2 – flights. ( Again, I’d have to look these up.) By the time these “new” Air Force Ones deliver (finally!) it will have been around 10 years after Roll Out. However, they’ll have minimal cycles and flight hours; due to having been in long-term storage most of that time .
Presently, the two Air Force Ones have around 31 years of cycles and flight hours. (Those details may be classified?) They were the final 747-200s that came off the production line.
I don’t think anyone was trying to politicize anything, and it was not necessary for Stweart to tell you not to say the president’s name, nor was it necessary for you to say that the “far left” was trying to politicize things. One of the great things about online forums is that if you don’t like what someone says you can just ignore it. This website is about aviation, which has nothing to do with politics. You have the right to mention the president’s name, and you also have the right to not like it when someone does. So rather than making a big deal out of a name, can we please simply put politics aside and focus on this great article and discussion?
Hello from Spain.
Great article. Great planes and pics. Definitely a status symbol for any country.
Regarding the political debate I was sad to read hereinabove, lets not add salt and pepper to politics, they are pretty overspiced anyway. My admiration goes for airplanes. My admiration goes for great women and men, not so for politicians of any side, nor for banks. My respect goes for law and democracy and humanity and humbleness. My admiration goes for planes and aviation. My respect goes for this planet and the environment. I feel Life is about finding balances. Take care. Fly high.
Just querying the use of the term ‘renting out’ – if a country is renting an aircraft (leasing), isn’t ‘leasing’ a better term. Renting out suggests they own it and are renting it to someone else.
Aside from that, ‘renting’ is sufficient ‘out’ or ‘in’ is superfluous.
You neglected to include that the Commonwealth of Australia now uses an A330-MRTT pictorially.
I agree the 707-338C looked amazing. I would like to see an RAAF A330 with green and gold cheat line and Australian Coat of Arms on the tail (not the flag as it has a British flag on it and might be misinterpreted, so just the Coat of Arms which is wholly Australian and the Air Force Roundel).
Titles should be the name of the country “Commonwealth of Australia”.
Would also like to see a line from the National Anthem on the nose, like the Canadians do – I’d suggest (although I think our National Anthem is rubbish) “We are One and Free” on one side and on the other side below the flight deck windows also “Beneath Our Radiant Southern Cross”