Presidential Travel Expenses: Calculated When And How Often?

One of the duties of the president of the United States is to represent the nation at home and abroad. As such, presidential travel expenses are incurred by taxpayers. However, there is a lack of transparency regarding the full cost of these trips, which include security, lodging, and logistics. The most easily quantifiable expense is the cost of operating Air Force One, which has varied over the years, depending on the fluctuating price of fuel.

The cost of Air Force One

Air Force One is a call sign for any US Air Force aircraft carrying the president of the United States. The cost of operating the president's plane was $176,393 per flight hour in 2020. This figure includes fuel, flight consumables, aircraft overhaul, and engine overhaul. The cost can vary from year to year, mainly due to fluctuating fuel prices. For example, the cost per flight hour was $142,380 in 2017 and $180,118 in 2016.

The high cost of Air Force One is due to several factors. Firstly, the aircraft must be equipped with military-grade security features, advanced communications systems, and self-defence capabilities. Secondly, the plane's interior must be customised to accommodate the president's needs, including a sleeping area, radiotelephone, and, in the case of Franklin D. Roosevelt, a retractable battery-powered elevator. Finally, there are additional costs associated with the presidential fleet, including the back-up aircraft, cargo planes, and tankers that typically accompany Air Force One on its trips.

In recent years, there have been significant delays and cost overruns in the replacement of Air Force One. Boeing, the company contracted to supply the new aircraft, has recorded losses of nearly $2 billion due to supplier and labour issues, factory problems, and engineering challenges. The total cost of the replacement programme is projected to be nearly $4 billion, with deliveries of the new planes expected in 2026 and 2027.

The high costs and delays associated with Air Force One have been a source of contention for some, including former President Donald Trump, who criticised the programme as "ridiculous" and too expensive. Despite this, the replacement of Air Force One is deemed necessary to ensure the president's safety and security, especially in worst-case scenarios such as nuclear war.

Security, lodging, and logistics

Security

The Secret Service is responsible for the President's security during travel. This includes advanced reconnaissance, where they survey and investigate all locations the President will visit, including hotels, airports, and event venues. They identify potential threats and implement security measures accordingly. For example, when the President travels by air, the aircraft is meticulously inspected, and the flight path is closely monitored. The President's plane, Air Force One, is equipped with advanced security features and is flown by highly trained pilots.

The Secret Service also collaborates with local law enforcement agencies at every destination to ensure coordinated security efforts and a seamless response to any potential incidents. In addition, they actively gather intelligence from various sources to help identify and assess potential threats to the President's safety.

Lodging

The President's accommodations, whether in a hotel or a private residence, are thoroughly vetted and secured by the Secret Service. The Secret Service often arrives months in advance to clear airspace, map out motorcade routes, and identify hospitals and other secure locations in case of an attack. Hotels typically receive weeks to months of notice for VIP visits and are required to assign amenities according to the President's team's specifications. This includes booking entire floors of hotels, closing down airports, and shutting down highways to ensure the President's safety and privacy.

Logistics

The logistics of presidential travel are complex and demanding. The President's schedule is often packed, and travel arrangements must be meticulously planned and coordinated with multiple agencies, including the White House, the Secret Service, the Department of State, and local authorities. This includes route planning, considering factors such as traffic flow, security risks, and the President's schedule.

The Secret Service also plays a crucial role in logistics by maintaining constant communication with the President, the White House, and other agencies during travel. They coordinate with event organizers to ensure the President's safety at public appearances, rallies, and other events.

How often the president travels

International trips made by US presidents have become a valuable part of the country's interactions with foreign nations. One of the president's official duties as Chief Executive is to represent the United States at home and abroad.

The first international presidential trip was Theodore Roosevelt's visit to Panama in 1906, which signalled a new era in how presidents conducted diplomatic relations with other countries. The frequency and distance of presidential international travel have increased dramatically since George H. W. Bush became president in 1989.

In terms of the number of trips taken, Bill Clinton travelled the most during his first term, with 315 domestic trips. George W. Bush travelled the second most, with 391 domestic trips. Barack Obama had taken 143 trips out of the Washington, D.C., area since the start of his presidency (not counting trips to Camp David).

However, it is important to note that the number of trips does not always indicate the total distance travelled or the complexity of the trips. For example, Obama holds the record as the most-travelled president for any first year in office. He took the most trips, visited the most countries, and spent the most days abroad.

Presidents also take vacations, which can be politically contentious. For example, George W. Bush was often criticised by Democrats for taking long vacations to his ranch in Texas during the Iraq War.

The number of trips and days spent abroad

For example, by the end of his second term, President Obama had travelled abroad 45 times, visiting 54 countries, and spending a total of 185 days outside of the United States. This made him the second most-travelled president in history, with President Clinton holding the record at 55 trips and 134 visits over 233 days.

President Obama's trips included visits to Japan, Vietnam, Canada, Poland, China, Laos, and Peru. He also travelled to the UK, Germany, and Saudi Arabia, with the transport costs for this particular trip totalling $5.6 million for Air Force One alone.

While the number of trips and days spent abroad is a matter of public record, the full cost of presidential travel is not always disclosed or easily calculable. There are many factors that impact the total cost, including security, lodging, logistics, and the number of staff and cabinet members accompanying the president.

The cost of operating Air Force One is a significant expense, with the per-flight-hour cost varying from year to year, primarily due to fuel prices. For example, the cost per flight hour in 2020 was $176,393, while in 2017 it was $142,380, and in 2016 it was $180,118.

The cost to taxpayers

It is the President's duty to represent the United States at home and abroad, and while presidential trips are important, they are also expensive. The cost to taxpayers of presidential travel is a significant expense, and one that is difficult to calculate due to a lack of transparency.

The cost of Air Force One alone is a huge expense, with the FY 2020 cost per flight hour to operate the president's plane at $176,393. This figure includes fuel, flight consumables, aircraft overhaul, and engine overhaul. The cost per flight hour can vary from year to year, with the FY 2017 cost at $142,380, down from $180,118 in 2016. The cost of Air Force One for President Obama's final trip was $6 million, and for his trip to Asia, it cost taxpayers $5 million. The cost of flying Obama from Andrews Air Force Base to Saudi Arabia, Europe, and back was estimated at nearly $6 million.

However, the cost of Air Force One is just the beginning when it comes to presidential travel expenses. There are many other factors that impact the total cost, including security, lodging, and logistics. For example, comprehensive security arrangements are required for each trip, including advance trips by security personnel, the transport of multiple cargo planes and ships for supplies, and an entourage of cabinet members, administrative support, and staff from multiple departments and agencies.

The cost of presidential travel is a significant expense for taxpayers, and while it is important for the President to represent the United States abroad, the lack of transparency around the total cost makes it difficult to fully understand the financial impact.

Frequently asked questions