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How Xi’s Special Plane Compares With Trump’s Air Force One

Xi Jinping traveled to Washington on a specially prepared airplane.

The plane was a Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental operated by Air China.

China does not have one permanent presidential airplane for Xi’s foreign trips.

Instead, it chooses planes from Air China’s fleet.

The selected plane is checked and modified for the president’s journey.

Its crew and security arrangements are also handled through confidential procedures.

The United States has a dedicated presidential aircraft known as Air Force One.

The White House publishes much more information about Air Force One than China releases about Xi’s travel planes.

Key facts

Aircraft carrying Xi: Heavily modified Air China Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental
Aircraft type: Boeing 747-8 passenger version, described as the last passenger variant of the 747 ever built
China’s presidential fleet: China does not operate a dedicated presidential aircraft for Xi’s overseas trips
Previous aircraft: Xi used Air China Boeing 747-400s for overseas trips in 2013
Aircraft preparation: Crew selection, security checks and modifications are carried out before special flights
U.S. disclosure: The White House publishes information on Air Force One’s designations, tail numbers, facilities and history
Recent destination: Xi traveled to New Delhi aboard a Boeing 747-8 the weekend before the Washington visit

wionews.com · 1 hr ago