Heads of state travel on heavily modified airliners that combine fortified security with VIP comforts. The US operates the famous VC-25A "Air Force One" (tail numbers 28000 and 29000) from Joint Base Andrews and plans VC-25B replacements based on the 747-8. Other nations use converted widebodies — from Russia's Ilyushin IL-96s to China's 747-8 and India's customized 777-300ER — while smaller executive jets handle short-range or specialized missions.
Inside The Luxurious, Heavily Fortified Jets World Leaders Use — From Air Force One To The Flying Kremlin
President Donald Trump posing for photo with law enforcement in front of a Boeing VC25 operating as Air Force One.MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images
World leaders travel on specially modified airliners that blend VIP comfort with tight security. These aircraft range from heavily armored, long-range flagships to smaller executive jets used for short hops, and they often carry distinctive liveries and call signs that signal the presence of a head of state.
United States — Air Force One
The US president's primary transport is the Boeing VC-25A, a highly modified Boeing 747-200 that entered service in 1990. Each VC-25A measures about 231 feet long and is configured to carry roughly 30 crew members and 71 passengers. Two nearly identical aircraft (tail numbers 28000 and 29000) operate with the Presidential Airlift Group from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland; any USAF aircraft carrying the president uses the call sign Air Force One.
A smaller Boeing 757-200–based C-32 (about 155 feet long) is used for trips to airports unsuited to the 747. A long-delayed replacement program will deliver VC-25B aircraft based on the Boeing 747-8; the new jets are currently expected by 2028 after repeated setbacks and significant reported program losses.
Europe
United Kingdom
The UK prime minister uses an RAF Airbus A330 MRTT nicknamed Vespina (tail number ZZ336). Converted for VIP duties in 2015, it retains tanker capability and is configured with 58 business-class seats. A 2020 repaint featuring a white fuselage and Union Jack tail reportedly cost around £900,000.
France
France's primary presidential jet is a converted ex-Swissair Airbus A330-200; when the president is aboard the craft uses the call sign COTAM 001. The presidential fleet also includes Airbus A310-300 and A340-200 aircraft.
Germany
Germany's head of government flies on an Airbus A350-900 XWB. Previously used A340-300 VIP jets were withdrawn and put up for sale in 2024 after maintenance issues affected flights with officials on board.
Russia
Russia maintains a fleet built around five modified Ilyushin IL-96-300PU airliners — often dubbed the Flying Kremlin. Each IL-96-300 stretches over 181 feet and is configured for VIP transport; Russia also operates Tupolev Tu-214–based executive aircraft for other missions.
Asia
China
China's leader travels on a converted Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental registered B-2479. That aircraft has an unrefueled range of roughly 14,320 kilometers (about 8,900 miles).
India
India's prime minister uses a customized Boeing 777-300ER referred to as India One when the prime minister is aboard. The jet has a reported unrefueled range near 13,500 kilometers (about 8,388 miles).
Japan
Japan's prime minister flies on a Boeing 777-300ER. An older Boeing 747-400 that previously served as Japan's long-range VIP transport was listed for sale in 2019.
South Korea
South Korea operates a converted Boeing 747-8I for presidential state visits. Leased from Korean Air, the jet began serving in 2021 and uses the call sign Code One when carrying the president.
Americas
Brazil
Brazil's long-haul presidential transport is a militarized Airbus A330-200 (referred to in some reporting as KC-30). After a technical problem grounded a presidential Airbus A319 in 2024, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva resumed long-range travel on the KC-30. The fleet also includes Embraer-built VIP transports.
Canada
Canada's prime minister flies on an Airbus A330-200 (designated Airbus 02) purchased from Kuwait Airways in 2023 for roughly $50 million.
Poland
Poland's VIP fleet mixes Embraer E-Jets, Gulfstream G550s and Boeing 737 BBJ2s. The country's first BBJ2 (serial number 0111), nicknamed Roman Dmowski, arrived in 2021.
Middle East, Oceania, and Others
Turkey operates a varied presidential fleet including Airbus A330-200s and A340-500s; reports also cite a Boeing 747-8I added through bilateral arrangements. Iran's presidential jet is an Airbus A340-300 that previously served commercial operators; it has flown escorted by additional military or government aircraft on diplomatic trips. North Korea relies on an older Ilyushin IL-62 VIP transport nicknamed Chammae-1. Australia uses a KC-30A (a modified A330) plus smaller Boeing BBJs and Dassault Falcons for shorter missions. Israel's prime minister travels on a Boeing 767-300ER known as the Wing of Zion (registration 4X-ISR).
Why The Fleets Differ
Presidential and prime-ministerial aircraft vary in size, range, configuration and security features based on national priorities, geography, and budget. Wide-body conversions like 747s and A330s provide extended range, large staffs and in-flight offices; smaller BBJs, Gulfstreams and Embraers offer flexibility for shorter runs or smaller airports.
Note: Aircraft registrations, tail numbers and fleet compositions can change as governments update or replace aircraft. The details above reflect reporting and public records available as of the article update.
Air Force One transporting US President Donald Trump arrives at the airport in Gyeongju on October 29, 2025.ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images
Holger Hollemann/picture alliance via Getty Images
ZZ336 Royal Air Force Airbus Voyager KC3 (MADRS48) landing in to RAF Brize Norton. ZZ336 underwent a ?900,000 refurbishment program which included painting the jet in the colours of the Union flag and the United Kingdom in gold. ZZ336 is also used for the Royal Family and the prime minister. The new livery is seen to ''better represent'' the UK abroad. The work was carried out by Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group in June 2020. RAF Brize Norton, England, United Kingdom, on August 13, 2020.Jon Hobley | MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Russia's Ilyushin Il-96-300.Adnan Abidi/Reuters
06 November 2025, Brandenburg, Schönefeld: An Airbus A350 from the German Air Force stands ready at the military section of BER Berlin-Brandenburg Airport for the Federal Chancellor's trip to the COP30 World Climate Conference in Belem, Brazil. From November 10 to 21, tens of thousands of delegates from almost every country in the world will meet at the COP30 world climate conference in Belém in the Brazilian Amazon region to negotiate how to curb the worsening climate crisis.Kay Nietfeld/picture alliance via Getty Images
TOPSHOT - The plane carrying France's President Emmanuel Macron is seen after landing at the Capital International Airport in Beijing on December 3, 2025. French President Emmanuel Macron touched down on December 3 in China, an AFP journalist saw, where he is expected to put pressure on his counterpart Xi Jinping to help secure a ceasefire in Ukraine and discuss trade relations.Ludovic MARIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
China's presidential plane.Athit Perawongmetha/POOL/AFP/Getty Images
The Japanese prime minister's plane.JASON HENRY/AFP via Getty Images
The plane carrying South Korean President Lee Jae Myung arrives at the Philadelphia International Airport Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025, in Philadelphia.Matt Rourke/AP
Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (C-L) is welcomed by South Africa's Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela (C-R) upon his arrival at the OR Tambo International airport in Ekurhuleni on November 21, 2025 ahead of the G20 leader's Summit.MARCO LONGARI/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
A plane carrying Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrives at San Francisco International Airport in San Francisco, California, on November 15, 2023. The APEC Summit takes place through November 17.JASON HENRY/AFP via Getty Images
A Polish governmental plane carrying Polish President Andrzej Duda lands at Rzeszow-Jasionka Airport as U.S. President Joe Biden also arrives to visit Poland, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, near Rzeszow, Poland, March 25, 2022.Kacper Pempel/Reuters
An airplane carrying India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi lands at Haneda airport in Tokyo on May 23, 2022.CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images
Murat Kaynak/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Kyodo News via Getty Images
Abdulhamit Topal/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
The plane carrying Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese taxis on the tarmac after arriving at Hiroshima airport in Mihara, Hiroshima prefecture on May 19, 2023, on the first day of the G7 Leaders' Summit.PHILIP FONG/AFP via Getty Images
Israel's Wing of Zion plane.Andrew Leyden/NurPhoto
