Air Force Cam: PM enjoys first outing on refurbished RAF plane

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jul/08/air-force-cam-david-cameron-raf-plane

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There is no inflight television, let alone some of the more luxurious trappings of its US equivalent, although on the plus side it does serve a full English breakfast.

Still, after touching down on Friday in Warsaw on the extensively refurbished RAF aircraft that will ferry his successors around the world, David Cameron can at least now look back on having had a spin on the plane whose nicknames include Air Force Cam, Dave Force One and – less kindly – Ryanair Force One.

Based on an Airbus A330, the RAF Voyager spent months being converted from a military plane to a VIP passenger-carrier at a cost of £12m, and still bears Royal Air Force branding on the outside. Following its maiden voyage, however, it was clear that Britain’s answer to the US president’s mode of air transport is somewhat slimmed down.

Those accompanying Cameron to Poland for a two-day Nato summit boarded a plane that, on a first glance, looked like any other aircraft operated by a major airline. As it took off, a beige curtain was drawn to separate two sections. At the back in the “budget seats” sat the press pack, military personnel and political advisers. Closer to the front were business class seats for the prime minister, cabinet ministers and their closest aides.

In future, trade delegates accompanying prime ministers will sit in a few dozen business class-style seats, while on longer flights the prime minister will be able to take refuge in a cabin-type area once curtains are drawn around their own seating.

Nevertheless, the aircraft is less luxurious than some of the private planes Cameron has chartered in the past. There was no champagne or other alcohol in sight for the early morning flight from Heathrow on Friday. To the disappointment of many, neither did any of the its blue upholstered seats have television screens. Passengers were served orange juice and hot drinks, along with a standard cooked breakfast, croissant and jam, plus a fruit salad.

Downing Street insists the new travel arrangements will be cheaper in the long run than hiring aircraft each time the prime minister goes on tour or attends foreign summits. It will also be available to members of the royal family and senior cabinet ministers for official trips.

But by that time though, it may well have been renamed Theresa or Andrea Force One.