The Air Force One: Joe Biden's G7 arrival in the world's most famous aviator

Created: 06/23/2022Updated: 06/23/2022 11:53 am

By: Theresa Kuchler

US President Joe Biden is going on a state visit with Air Force One.

The machine also takes him to the G7 summit.

© Evan Vucci/dpa

With its own military base and refuelable in the air: Air Force One is a special aircraft - and world famous.

Everything you need to know about the machine that Joe Biden is using to travel to the G7 summit.

Munich – In a few days, what is probably the most famous plane in the world will land in Bavaria: Air Force One.

The US government plane flies Joe Biden to Munich Airport, from where the American President takes a helicopter to Werdenfelser Land.

From June 26 to 28, 2022, Biden will take part in the 2022 G7 summit in Elmau.

Meanwhile, his Boeing 747 is parked in the Erdinger Moos and awaits the return of the President.

There are numerous myths surrounding Air Force One - in particular the details of the technical equipment of the Boeing jet are largely in the dark.

But this much is clear: Thanks to numerous and complex conversions, the Air Force One is probably one of the best protected aircraft in the world.

G7 summit 2022 in Elmau: Joe Biden travels to Bavaria with Air Force One

The jumbo jet is actually already an oldie: the statesmen of the USA have been traveling around the world with the long-haul version of the Boeing 747-200B type VC25A since the early 1990s.

The US government owns two of the spacious airliners, which are identical in construction.

Airmen will be referred to as Air Force One or Air Force Two, depending on whether Joe Biden himself or his deputy, Kamala Harris, is on board.

Since the early 1990s, two converted Boeing 747-200B machines have been available to US Presidents as state airlines.

© CHRISTOF STACHE/dpa

To protect the President, the aircraft are equipped with the highest security standards.

It can be assumed that Air Force One has a self-protection system that can protect it from missiles in the event of a terrorist attack.

There are also modern communications facilities on board and a complete military base of operations.

After all, in times of war or crisis, the President has to make decisions from the air and issue instructions to the military and secret services.

Air Force One: Since the 1990s, the Boeing 747 has been the reliable US Presidential plane

Air Force One has a range of 12,500 kilometers.

However, the machine can remain in the air longer because it can be refueled during the flight.

For this purpose, a tanker aircraft flies in front and supplies the Boeing with fuel from the air.

Theoretically, the Boeing 747 can remain in the air for several days at a time.

According to experts, only the oil consumption of the four engines sets the jet a limit at some point.

As the

writes, the flight time is therefore limited to a maximum of 70 hours.

also read

Knife fight in Erding's old town: dramatic scenes - three, some seriously injured

Munich Airport is preparing for G7 - Air Force One landing can be observed from one point

In addition to the tanker, Air Force One is usually accompanied by cargo planes.

As former US President Barack Obama showed during his visit to the G7 summit in Elmau in 2015, you can even take your own state car with you on a trip abroad.

It has not been confirmed that Biden will do the same and fly into Munich with an armored limousine for the 2022 summit, but it is very likely.

In this case, a private transport aircraft takes the company car overseas.

Former US President Barack Obama traveled to the G7 summit in Germany in 2015 with Air Force One.

© Holger Hollemann/dpa

In the cabin of the Boeing 747, comfort and space are not in short supply.

A total of 102 people can travel in Air Force One.

There are 23 seats for the crew alone, and up to 70 passengers can also be transported.

Of course, there are separate dormitories for the presidents and their spouses, as well as conference and relaxation rooms and places for journalists.

In the event of a medical emergency, one of the rooms can be converted into a sick room with an operating table.

Successor to Air Force One

In January 2009, the US Air Force went in search of a successor model, Air Force One.

Two new aircraft were to be purchased, and the Boeing 747-8 was quickly discussed as a possible starting model for the presidential plane.

In 2018 they were officially chosen as Air Force One's successors and are currently being modified accordingly.

As the American Air Force announced in January 2020, the new planes are to serve as a “flying white house” “for the next 30 years”.

Among other things, the

reports that the new jets will probably be delivered at the end of 2025.

Joe Biden will fly Air Force One to the 2022 G7 summit

Germany is expecting the next visit from Air Force One - and thus that of Joe Biden - on Saturday, June 25th.

The US President arrives in Munich one day before the start of the summit in order to fly from there to Elmau.

The heads of government of England, France, Canada, Italy and Japan are already coming to Bavaria on Saturday.

The other G7 participants are expected on Sunday.

The plan is for the politicians to be flown in helicopters to Werdenfelser Land, where a dedicated landing pad has been set up.

If the weather doesn't play along and visibility is too poor to fly, you have to drive to Schloss Elmau in a convoy of cars.

Therefore, extensive roadblocks have already been scheduled in Munich and between the state capital and the summit location.

Special security at Munich Airport - to observe the landing of Air Force One at one point

Despite the top-class state visit, there is no panic at the airport in Erdinger Moos - after all, they have a lot of experience with political celebrities and the associated security requirements.

The most recent reception of US government officials at Munich Airport was that of Kamala Harris on February 17, 2022. The American Vice President landed in Munich on the eve of the Munich Security Conference, where she was greeted by Markus Söder.

Incidentally, when Joe Biden heads for Munich with Air Force One on Saturday, this can be observed from a viewing hill: on the southern runway of Munich Airport, between Schwaig and Hallbergmoos, there is a clear view of the apron with the presidential planes.

For security reasons, nothing of the contingent of political celebrities can be seen at the airport itself.

G7 summit in Elmau: The history of the protests against globalization

View photo gallery