Archive · 24 Sep 2026
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.
Xi Jinping arrived in Washington aboard a heavily modified Air China Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental.
China does not operate a dedicated presidential aircraft for Xi’s overseas travel.
Aircraft for Xi’s foreign trips are selected from Air China’s fleet and specially prepared.
China’s special aircraft procedures include crew selection, security checks and modifications.
Unlike China, the White House publicly details Air Force One’s designations, tail numbers, facilities and history.
- Who
- Chinese President Xi Jinping and United States President Donald Trump are involved in the comparison.
- What
- Xi traveled on a specially prepared Air China Boeing 747-8, while the report compares it with Air Force One.
- When
- During Xi’s reported visit to Washington; the article also says he traveled to New Delhi the previous weekend.
- Where
- Xi landed at Joint Base Andrews near Washington, after traveling from China.
- Why
- The aircraft was specially selected and prepared for presidential travel under China’s confidential special-flight procedures.
- 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