Yemen’s president, Abdrabbuh Hadi, used to fly around in a $300 million Boeing 747SP before it was destroyed in a fire after an attack at the main airport during the country’s civil war. Obviously, the president needed another means of air travel, but the following purchase had a significantly lower price tag.
After the destruction of the original plane, in 2015, the modest president decided he wanted to purchase a $75 million airplane the second time around. Not many details are known about the inside of the plane, apart from the fact that it is completely fitted for a VIP configuration.
Jordan's Airbus A340-600 – $275 million
Jordan's presidential aircraft is a thing of beauty. The $275 million Airbus A340-600 has one of the most advanced aviation technologies, with four Rolls-Royce engines that enable it to use significantly less fuel than other airplanes, making it a more "economical" and environmentally friendly option. This small aircraft can travel 7,800 km without refueling and reach an altitude of 12,500 meters.
However, around 2009, the King purchased a more modest $50 million aircraft, an A318-112 Elite. This is the shortest aircraft in the Airbus family. While the aircraft is smaller, it has state-of-the-art facilities and is as lavish as can be, complete with a bedroom, bathroom, office, and classic dining room. The cabin holds 19 passengers, but the King never likes more than eight people to be in the cabin simultaneously. We understand; you don't want to feel crowded in your own $50 million plane.
Bangladesh's Boeing 777-300ER – $260 million
When you think of Bangladesh, you don't immediately think of extravagance. We think of beautiful landscapes and a country that is still, sadly, very much suffering from poverty. But that didn't stop President Abdul Hamid from purchasing a $260 million piece of equipment for his official travels.
The good thing is, at least the airplane is an environmentally friendly option since it emits 22% less carbon dioxide than other airplanes of its kind. Since the air travel industry is not known for helping climate change, it's nice to see that things don't have to be that way. It has twin General Electric engines that make it one of the world's highest-performing airplanes.
Qatar's 14 Aircraft – Over $100 Million Each
Being one of the richest people on the planet, we didn't expect Qatar's Emir, Tamim Al Thani, to have anything short of a palace when it came to his presidential aircraft. But what we also didn't expect was for him to have 14 of them! They all belong to the Emir's personal airline, Qatar Amiri Flight. And why wouldn't you purchase your own airline at that point? Even if each little aircraft sets you back a modest $100 million?
The Emir of Qatar doesn't travel light, taking his entourage of up to 1,000 people with him on official government trips. And he apparently likes to flaunt his numerous aircraft collection, as he once went to Japan to visit the Primer Minister and arrived with ten jets!
Flared Up
Even up in the sky, Air Force One is a likely target for enemies. Considering that the US presidential plane doesn’t have any missiles onboard, it seems like the number one US citizen would be vulnerable. However, fear not, for flares act as the first line of defense. If a missile targets the plane, a flare would be ejected, and the missile would follow its heat signatures and be thrown off course.
If you’re a big fan of “Top Gun: Maverick,” you’ll remember this is the strategy Maverick and Rooster use to waylay their enemy and survive in the skies. This is the same strategy Air Force One follows, except they did it first – and Air Force One style.