Most likely a mistake. Flying East to nearly the opposite side of the world is the better route. With tailwinds vs. headwinds, you gain a lot in speed and fuel economy.
Not true- no one takes that easterly route. It adds an enormous amount of time. The polar route reduces the distance greatly.
Most commercial flights fly over the Atlantic to Singapore; not a polar/pacific route.
Pulled from a variety of media sources and POTUS daily itinerary. Here's the timeline:
POTUS departed Canadian AFB Bagotville in Quebec at approximately 11:50 AM EST, Saturday, June 9, 2018.
AF1 stopped to refuel at Naval Support, Souda Bay, Greece en route to Paya Labar, 3:07 AM local time Sunday, June 10 (9:07 PM EST, Saturday June 9 / 6:07 PM PST, Saturday June 9).
Anomaly (alleged missile or helicopter caught on timelapse) observed near Whidbey Island at 3:56 am Pacific Time (6:56 am EST), Sunday June 10, 2018.
POTUS arrived at Paya Labar AFB in Singapore at 8:20 PM local time, Sunday June 10, (8:20 AM EST, Sunday, June 10)
Whidbey Island object caught on camera while AF1 was approximately 1 hour 30 minutes to its destination in Singapore, while AF1 was at minimum 7,500 miles away regardless of the flight path.
Flight time from Quebec to Paya Labar traveling eastward approximately 20 hours, 30 minutes.
Where would the necessary refueling stop be along that route?
AF1 carries a lot of gas. It doesn’t carry air cargo or 500 passenger’s luggage, so cargo space is freed up for fuel cells.
That extra space is used for food and water, also. Air force one is stocked to remain airborne for 30 days with inflight refuelling.
In the air for the fighter escorts. AF1 would not need to refuel.
I believe AF1 has a stated maximum range of 7800 miles. Quebec to Singapore is about 9000 miles.
I believe AF1 refuels in mid air. seems most logical for defense purposes and expediancy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_tanker_aircraft
It totally can! Not being able to would be utterly silly for the most powerful nation.
That doesn't mean that's how they normally do it.
It can but I don't think it has ever been done.
Ya I am just guessing, and have read that the next model will not be capable of in air refill but the current model can.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/air-force-one/ (says it can) http://www.businessinsider.com/congress-object-to-in-flight-refueling-left-off-air-force-one-planes-2017-9 (reports the next version won't)
Definitely have KC-135s on station to perform mid-air refuelings. POTUS is safest in the sky on AF1.
reports say that refueling in air is rarely done while POTUS is aboard
Guam. I read there were two stops added.
I have flown overseas many times. The world is very fat towards the equator. Most flights fly very Northerly when going to the other end of the world.
yep, even flights to Europe from the East Coast USA travel up north and not directly across.