If it needs to refuel, it usually does so at one of the U.S. military bases across the world. The retrofitted Boeing 747 that usually serves as the presidential jet can indeed refuel in flight — but it has never done so with the president on board, military officials say.

While the two Boeing 747-200B aircraft (VC-25A) that currently serve as Air Force One are fully equipped for mid-air refueling, they have never actually refueled in flight with the President on board. Military officials and historians note that mid-air refueling is considered an "emergency-only" capability for the presidential fleet. It is inherently riskier than standard flight, and the aircraft's standard range of roughly 7,800 miles is sufficient to reach almost any global destination with just one stop at a secure military base (like Ramstein or Elmendorf). Interestingly, the new "Air Force One" planes (VC-25B) currently in development initially had their refueling probes removed to save costs, though this sparked significant debate regarding national security and the need for the President to remain airborne indefinitely during a prolonged crisis.