10 Things You Didn’t Know About Air Force One

In 2021 or thereabouts, the president of the United States will board a spanking new Air Force One that will boast new standards of technological sophistication and comfort for the traveling commander in chief.

(Image credit: Official White House photo by Pete Souza)

In 2021 or thereabouts, the president of the United States will board a spanking new Air Force One that will boast new standards of technological sophistication and comfort for the traveling commander in chief. The president's aircraft will be based on the iconic Boeing 747. It also may be one of the last of those made, as the planemaker has said it may phase out production by 2017 due to declining demand.

Seven separate airplanes have carried presidents, each with a unique story. Few Americans of a certain age can forget the televised images of the casket containing the body of President John Kennedy being loaded on to Air Force One on the tarmac of Dallas’ Love Field.

Air Force One has a storied history that goes back more than 100 years. Take a look.