- President Donald Trump swapped his private jet for VIP government aircraft, including Air Force One.
- Government and military officials have access to private jets, helicopters, and a “flying war room.”
- Trump hopes to receive a new fleet of Air Force One 747s before the end of his term in 2029.
President Donald Trump has once again ditched his prized personal private jet for an arsenal of VIP government aircraft.
The most famous is Air Force One, a pair of highly modified Boeing 747 double-deckers that have flown every president since George H. W. Bush beginning in 1990.
But there are many lesser-known government VIP aircraft, including a flying command center, smaller Boeing narrowbodies, private jets, and helicopters responsible for shuttling the president and vice president, military and congressional leaders, cabinet members, and more. Members of the press are also regularly invited on board.
Branches of the US military maintain and operate the fleet of aircraft, and military pilots are employed for the highly specialized missions. The aviators need thousands of hours of flying and combat experience.
The fleet is poised to change as the Trump Administration hopes to acquire new 747 planes to replace the aging Air Force One collection, though that may not happen until after his second term.
