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Air Force One

The flying White House — Air Force One when POTUS is aboard

Tail numbers 92-9000 · 82-8000 · 25-3300

Air Force One (SAM 29000) 92-9000

One of two VC-25As that become Air Force One the moment the President steps aboard. Tail 29000 has carried every president since George H.W. Bush, flying with a medical suite, hardened communications, and countermeasures nobody talks about. Since June 2026 it shares the job with the VC-25B Bridge — catch the two of them in trail and you are watching a handover in progress.

Fun fact

Air Force One can be refueled mid-flight and, in theory, stay airborne indefinitely.

Air Force One (SAM 28000) 82-8000

The sister ship to 29000 and the older of the pair — tail 28000 flew its first presidential mission in 1990. The two VC-25As trade duties so one is always mission-ready, and spotting either outside the D.C. area usually means something is happening. Both are now flying out their last years alongside the VC-25B that replaces them.

Fun fact

The galley can prepare 100 meals at a time — and the President's suite has its own workout room.

Air Force One (VC-25B Bridge) 25-3300

The newest Air Force One, and the strangest one to arrive. This 747-8 was built in 2012 as a private jet for Qatar, sat in storage, changed registration three times, and was then handed to the United States — L3Harris stripped and rebuilt it in ten months. It flew as Air Force One for the first time in June 2026 while the VC-25As it replaces are still flying alongside it.

Fun fact

It is called the 'Bridge' because it is a stopgap: the two purpose-built VC-25Bs are not due until 2028 and 2029, so this converted airliner carries the President until they arrive.