The Last Boeing 707 Air Force One Now on Display at Ronald Reagan Library
The final Boeing 707 to serve as a primary Air Force One, which transported President Ronald Reagan and six other U.S. presidents, is now on display at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California. The aircraft, decommissioned in 2001, was in service for over three decades and took its final flight just days before the Sept. 11 attacks.
The 707, known as SAM 27000, was a key part of the presidential fleet before the transition to the larger 747s in 1990, which became the primary Air Force One aircraft. The transition, which occurred a year after Reagan’s presidency ended, allowed for improved range, communication systems, and comfort. Although Reagan himself never traveled aboard the newer 747s, he spent much of his presidency in the 707, flying to 26 countries and covering over 660,000 miles.
The Reagan Library, having secured the plane for display, worked with Boeing to transport and reassemble the aircraft, and now it serves as a major attraction for visitors. The aircraft, which once carried Presidents Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush, is preserved as a testament to its historical significance.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Air Force One Pavilion, which has welcomed nearly seven million visitors since its opening in October 2005. The three-story pavilion also features a Marine One helicopter, Reagan’s 1984 presidential limousine, and an authentic Irish pub from his ancestral village of Ballyporeen, Ireland. A sweeping mural, ‘History of the Flying White House,’ traces presidential air travel from its beginnings with FDR to the present day.
The library has expanded its digital reach, now boasting over 1.8 million followers on social media platforms. Visitors to the Reagan Library can interact with the aircraft, stepping aboard to see where the president, his staff, the press corps, and the Secret Service operated from during its service. The plane’s rotary phones and mid-century decor offer a glimpse into the past, with Trulio noting that while its design was once state-of-the-art, it now resembles a ’80s-style aircraft.
Despite lacking the modern comforts such as bedrooms found on today’s Air Force One, the 707 was a crucial tool for face-to-face diplomacy, playing a role in shaping global history. Trulio highlighted the parallels between Reagan’s era and today, noting that Reagan’s leadership during a time of economic challenge, high inflation, and a global communist regime with ambitions offers lessons for current challenges.
Today, the 707 stands as a symbol of the era in which it served, offering a tangible connection to the past while continuing to inspire and educate visitors about the history of presidential travel. It remains one of the most popular attractions at the Reagan Library, continuing to draw visitors from around the world.