WASHINGTON, D.C.— A Daily Caller White House correspondent recently reviewed the food served aboard Air Force One across a two-day trip, offering a rare public look at what the traveling press pool eats on presidential flights. The review covered routes to Las Vegas (LAS) and Phoenix (PHX), with meals ranging from beef ragu to lobster salad.
The aircraft serving as Air Force One is the modified Boeing 747-200B, designated VC-25A, operated by the 89th Airlift Wing out of Joint Base Andrews. While the president’s meals are tailored to personal preferences, the press pool receives separately managed catering, billed directly to their employers at roughly $20 to $25 per domestic meal.
What Reporters Are Actually Eating on Presidential Flights
Daily Caller correspondent Reagan Reese documented multiple meals across the trip. On the longer leg, the meal included beef ragu, a spring salad, and key lime pie.
She described the beef ragu as hearty and well-portioned, with enough sauce and meat to read as a proper entrée. The salad featured crisp greens, fruit, and a light, tangy dressing. The key lime pie, however, fell short, lacking the tartness expected from the dessert.
On the shorter Las Vegas (LAS) to Phoenix (PHX) leg, the press pool received an Italian sub on an asiago bagel, served with kettle chips and a chocolate chip cookie.
Reese identified the cookie as the standout item on that leg. In a separate service, she noted enjoying lobster salad, a croissant, and chocolate cake. The overall quality of the onboard food, she concluded, was legitimately good.
The contrast with commercial carriers is notable. Delta Air Lines (DL), for instance, no longer offers complimentary water service in coach on domestic routes, making the Air Force One press spread a significant step up from the standard domestic flying experience.
The Galley Operation That Powers Every Meal
Air Force One carries two fully operational galleys for in-flight meal service. Military flight attendants, assigned by the 89th Airlift Wing, are responsible for sourcing ingredients and preparing meals based on the preferences of passengers on board. All food handling follows tightly controlled security protocols given the nature of the aircraft and its passengers.
Joint Base Andrews runs dedicated culinary training for flight attendants assigned to special air missions. That training includes collaboration with chefs from the White House Mess and the vice presidential residence.
The program draws a parallel to pre-pandemic practices at Etihad Airways, which hired former restaurant chefs to serve first-class passengers, and to similar onboard chef programs that other carriers have operated over the years, ViewfromtheWing reported.
Press Pays Its Own Way
The traveling press pool does not receive complimentary meals on Air Force One. Costs are billed back to each journalist’s employer.
A standard domestic meal runs between $20 and $25, with documented examples placing individual billings at $23.
The arrangement applies to all credentialed press traveling with the presidential pool, regardless of outlet or seniority.
The Aircraft Behind the Meals
The VC-25A carries approximately 4,000 square feet of interior space across its modified cabin. The president’s suite includes a bedroom, dressing room, lavatory, shower, and office.
The aircraft also houses a conference room that doubles as a dining room, a dedicated office and communications areas, staff sections, and a medical suite equipped to function as an operating room, with a physician on board at all times.
The plane is capable of in-flight refueling, extending its range well beyond the base figure of approximately 7,800 statute miles. That capability allows the aircraft to remain airborne for extended periods without landing.
A Brief History of Presidential Air Travel
The “Air Force One” designation traces back to 1953, when an Eastern Air Lines flight, numbered 8610, briefly shared airspace with the aircraft carrying President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
The resulting confusion in air traffic control prompted the creation of a dedicated call sign reserved exclusively for any aircraft with the president on board.
Before 1962, the president flew aboard aircraft with standard commercial configurations. That year, a Boeing 707 became the first jet customized specifically for presidential use.
First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy commissioned an interior designer for the cabin, establishing the tradition of purpose-built presidential aircraft that continues today.
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