Unlike the United States’ permanently commissioned Air Force One fleet, Beijing utilizes commercial airframes converted for state duties, combining long-range intercontinental capability with mobile command infrastructure. Chinese President Xi Jinping travels internationally aboard a heavily modified Boeing 747-8 operated by Air China under a dedicated VVIP configuration.
The presidential transport is outfitted with advanced defense architecture designed to maintain continuity of government under extreme threat scenarios. Encrypted Command Hubs: Secure satellite communication links allow the president to manage state and military affairs continuously from mid-air. Registered as B-2479 and deployed during major state tours like the Delhi BRICS summit, the aircraft serves as a secure, flying command center for the nation’s leadership. Air India One : India’s Prime Minister utilises a modified Boeing 777-300ER operated by the Indian Air Force, featuring advanced defense integration and long-haul twin-engine efficiency.
