---
title: "5 things you didn’t know about Air Force One"
date: "2022-05-29"
modified: "2022-05-29"
authors:
  - name: "Tim Kirkpatrick"
    link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/tkirkpatrick/"
url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/lists/5-things-you-didnt-know-about-air-force-one/"
categories:
  - "Air Force"
  - "Aircraft"
  - "History"
  - "Tactical"
---

# 5 things you didn’t know about Air Force One

![](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/assets.rbl.ms/17318754/origin.jpg>)

For decades, the president has flown in style on a variety of different planes and under various call signs. *Air Force One* is one of the most famous aircrafts to ever take to the skies as it's the to-go plane for U.S. presidents.

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The plane is so popular, it was featured in the 1997 action film, *Air Force One,* starring Harrison Ford as he battles terrorists trying to take over his flying fortress.

You better listen! (Image via GIPHY)

Here's what you might not know about this famous flyer.

### Related: [5 countries that tried to shoot down the SR-71 Blackbird (and failed)](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-history/5-countries-that-tried-to-shoot-down-the-sr-71-blackbird-and-failed/>)

## Air Force One isn't an actual plane

The term was coined as a call sign for the President's two nearly-identical planes. The planes are perfect twins except for their tail fin numbers. The two modern AF1 edition aircraft are labeled with different numbers: 28000 and 29000.

## The original Air Force One

In the mid-1940s, planes were deemed reliable for transportation, seeing as they were successfully flying some intricate missions in World War II. The Army repurposed a C-54 Skymaster for the president's use and dubbed the aircraft, *The Sacred Cow*.

## Air Force One almost collided with a commercial flight

In 1953, President Eisenhower flew under the call sign *Air Force 8610.* A control tower got it confused with Eastern Airlines flight 8610 as they entered each other's airspace. After that near accident, the call sign *Air Force One* was permanently used.

## The government hired a real designer

Since *Air Force One* wasn't considered a "looker," designer Raymond Loewy came into the picture and took the plane's aesthetic to a new level. Loewy designed the logos for IBM, Exxon, Shell, Lucky Strike, the Coast Guard, and the U.S. Postal Service.

![](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/assets.rbl.ms/17318757/origin.jpg>)
*The very-talented Raymond Loewy.*

### Also Read: [Why Bangor, Maine is the most patriotic town in America](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/travel/why-bangor-maine-is-the-most-patriotic-town-in-america/>)

## The cost to operate the plane per hour

According to the Freedom of Information Act, the cost of operating *Air Force One* for an hour is around $206,337 smackaroos, compared to the average airline flyer's $25,000.

Check out [World War Wings](<https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1Z6IlU_Az_J3R7Pm_YBeBQ>)' video below to get the full scoop on this historic plane.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKMWa71rnUE

## Author
Tim Kirkpatrick entered the Navy in 2007 as a Hospital Corpsman and deployed to Sangin, Afghanistan with 3rd Battalion 5th Marines in the fall of 2010. Tim now has degrees in both Film Production and Screenwriting. tim.kirkpatrick@wearethemighty.com