However, Nixon’s trip remains the most prominent example of a modern sitting president using a scheduled airliner as a political tool to signal solidarity during a national crisis. To add further depth to the logistics, the flight officially utilized the rare call sign “Executive One,” which is the civilian equivalent of “Air Force One” used whenever a sitting president boards a non-military aircraft.
Nixon’s team purchased a total of 25 tickets, 13 in first class and 12 in coach, costing $217.64 and $167.64 per seat, respectively.
To ensure the President remained in command, an aide carried a specialized, suitcase-sized secure communications device, while the Secret Service and United personnel coordinated a discreet boarding process to keep his presence a secret until the plane was airborne.
Despite the “frugal” appearance, the event was essentially a high-stakes piece of political theater; not only was there a backup military plane trailing for safety, but Air Force One was ultimately flown empty to California later that week to retrieve the First Family for their return trip, largely negating the fuel saved by the initial commercial journey.
