White House

A doctor, 2,000 meals and 85 phones: Air Force One is loaded with amenities

Key Points
  • The Trump administration confirmed a handshake deal with Boeing for the next Air Force One and its twin decoy for $3.9 billion.
  • Here is a guide to the special features and amenities on the president's plane.
Air Force general officers salute the President of the U.S. as he departs April 20, 2016, at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.
U.S. Air Force photo | Staff Sgt. Armando A. Schwier-Morales

The world's most famous aircraft, an 800,000-pound flying fortress that extends the power of the White House into the skies, just got a step closer to the assembly line.

On Tuesday, the Trump administration confirmed a handshake deal with Boeing for the next Air Force One and its twin decoy for $3.9 billion.

The current U.S. Air Force planes (VC-25A), which are highly modified Boeing 747-200 series aircraft, have served the presidency since 1990 as "airborne Oval Offices" and are quickly reaching the end of their lifespan.

"The Boeing 747-200 ceased production in 1987 and is no longer operated in the U.S. commercial passenger-carrying industry. The Air Force is the only remaining domestic operator," according to a U.S. Air Force statement.

What's more, the replacement parts for the current Air Force One jets are diminishing and therefore becoming an "ever-increasing problem that will continue to worsen."

Boeing comes close to closing deal for Air Force One fleet
VIDEO0:4000:40
Boeing comes close to closing deal for Air Force One fleet

"Obtaining and delivering two Presidential mission-ready 747-8s (VC-25B) is an important step to ensure enduring and global transportation for the President of the United States."

Under the Air Force's Presidential Aircraft Recapitalization program, the three-leveled leviathans will undergo modifications in 2019 and replace the current aging planes by 2024.

While the specific security details of the next presidential fleet are shrouded in secrecy, the U.S. Air Force says the modifications to the VC-25B will be similar to the current VC-25A capabilities, albeit with significant upgrades to navigation and communication platforms.

Here are a few features of the undisputed queen of the skies.

  • The aircraft's interior sprawls 4,000 square feet.
  • Air Force One has a conference room, dining room, an Oval Office, a bedroom and bathroom for the president, as well as offices for senior staff members.
  • The aircraft has a medical room and a separate operating room to handle medical emergencies.
  • Air Force One also comes with its own doctor.
  • The galley can produce prepare up to 2,000 meals.
  • The plane is equipped with encryption and scrambling devices for secure air-to-ground communication.
  • There are 85 phones for classified and unclassified use.
  • It features armored windows.
  • Each exit is equipped with its own staircase so that crew do not have to depend on foreign assets.
  • The new plane will be 18 feet and 2 inches longer, and will weigh 142,000 lbs more.

Correction: A previous version of this article misstated the weight of Air Force One. The plane weighs 800,000 pounds.

WATCH: A look inside Trump's plane before he gave it up for Air Force One

A look inside Donald Trump's plane before he gives it up for Air Force One
VIDEO0:5800:58
A look inside Donald Trump's plane before he gives it up for Air Force One