Before the impressive 747s, a fleet of smaller jets once held the important role of carrying American presidents across the globe.
Now, the last Boeing 707 that served as Air Force One sits in a stunning glass pavilion at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California. This aircraft transported President Ronald Reagan and six other U.S. presidents during its service.
“This is the final 707 to be a workhorse for Air Force One,” noted David Truglio, who leads the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Research Institute. “It was replaced by the 747 after Reagan’s presidency.”
During his time in office, President Reagan flew on the 707, known as SAM 27000, more often than any other president. He was with the aircraft until his retirement in 2001, taking his last flight just days before the events of September 11. Yet, he had already initiated plans to modernize Air Force One, opting for the larger 747 model as its primary aircraft.
The military transition from the 707-based VC-137 to the 747 occurred in 1990, after Reagan’s presidency concluded, enhancing the plane’s range, comfort, and communication tech.
Interestingly, Truglio pointed out that Reagan never actually flew on the new jet he had commissioned.
Still, he logged 660,000 miles and visited 26 countries aboard the SAM 27000. According to Boeing, this older model can accommodate around half the passengers compared to today’s Air Force One, seating about 102 individuals.
This 707 also flew Presidents Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush.
When officials decided to retire the aircraft, they aimed to fulfill the late president’s wish to have it displayed permanently at the Reagan Library. Boeing collaborated with the library to transport and reconstruct the aircraft. The 707 was disassembled and moved to the library, where it was later reassembled inside the building.
This year, the Air Force One Pavilion marks its 20th anniversary, attracting nearly 7 million visitors since it opened in October 2005.
The three-story pavilion also houses the Marine One helicopter, Reagan’s 1984 presidential limousine, and a genuine Irish pub from his ancestral village in Ireland. A mural titled “History of the Flying White House” chronicles the evolution of presidential air travel starting from FDR’s era.
In the past two decades, the pavilion has hosted various events, including educational programs, international summits, and more recently, high school debates.
Truglio explained how the Reagan Library has greatly increased its digital outreach, now boasting over 1.8 million followers across different platforms.
The aircraft remains the biggest draw for guests visiting the Reagan Library.
Upon arriving, visitors are often taken aback by the sight of the enormous aircraft—with its design creating an impression of takeoff and surrounded by panoramic views of Simi Valley. Truglio described the experience as “a really remarkable, very living piece of history.” Visitors can board the plane to see where the president, his aides, and the press corps worked during flights.
Truglio emphasized that airplanes serve as the main attraction for Reagan Library visitors.
Interestingly, the plane looks much the same as it did two decades ago, even though it once represented cutting-edge technology back then. Visitors today might find its rotary phones and retro décor a bit of a throwback.
“To them, this looks like it’s from the ’80s,” he mentioned.
Unlike modern jets, Reagan’s plane wasn’t as luxurious. While there are comfortable chairs and conference rooms, Air Force One today includes sleeping quarters—a significant upgrade.
Nonetheless, it was a vital tool for direct diplomacy, continuing to influence world events and impart lessons still relevant now.
For instance, after meeting Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev in Geneva, President Reagan remarked, “So face-to-face dialogue can be helpful.”
Truglio observed that there are strong parallels between Reagan’s times and the current era.
“They say history rhymes, and thinking back to the ’70s and ’80s, it was a period marked by economic trouble, rampant inflation, and the competition with a communist regime,” he reflected.
Continuing, he said, “President Reagan was undeniably a successful president. His accomplishments are not just inspiring, but also instructive as we navigate our contemporary challenges.”
