Pope Francis in the USA: American Airlines Boeing 777 is Shepherd One

Pope Francis touched down in the United States of America for the very first time on Tuesday. As is customary on most papal visits, Alitalia flies the Holy Father from Italy to the destination of choice, while the flag carrier of the host nation flies him back home. On his first visit to the United States, American Airlines has earned the privilege of flying Pope Francis from Joint Base Andrews in Washington to New York, then to Philadelphia, and finally back to Rome.

american airlines shepherd one
Image Source: Sky Talk
The US Conference of Catholic Bishops charted an American Airlines Boeing 777 to transport Pope Francis on his tour of the United States. "Shepherd One" has been approved by the US Federal Aviation Administration as the official call sign of the aircraft.

Although no major modifications will be made to the aircraft, which typically seats sixteen in First Class, thirty-seven in Business Class, and one hundred and ninety four in Economy class, American Airlines spokesperson Ross Feinstein says that the Papal Seal will be placed on the aircraft.

This will be only the second time that American Airlines has flown the Pope during a visit to the United States. American Airlines last flew the Holy Father in 1993, when Pope John Paul II was flown from Denver to Rome in 1993. However, Trans World Airlines, which was acquired by American Airlines in 2001, flew the Pope five times between 1965 and 1999.

Although the Papal seal will be affixed to the side of the aircraft, the flight number will remain undisclosed under the request of the Secret Service, who don't want the public to be able to track the aircraft's progress.

The American Airlines aircraft that carried Pope John Paul II in 1993 remains in service to this very day. The Boeing 767-300ER aircraft was scheduled to fly from Miami to Frankfurt on Tuesday, the day that Pope Francis touched down in the United States.

In his traditionally humble manner, Pope Francis continues to carry his own luggage. He was first observed carrying his own luggage in 2013, when he boarded the Papal plane to Brazil. As expected, he also carried his own luggage when he boarded his aircraft in Cuba bound for the United States. 

When asked back in 2013 what he carries in his travelling satchel, Pope Francis stated: a razor, a breviary, an appointment book, and a book to read. "I was carrying it because that's what I've always done," said Pope Francis. "When I travel, I carry it."

Everything on board the American Airlines Boeing 777 will be marked with the Papal coat of arms. Once everyone is boarded, Pope Francis usually walks from his seat at the front of the cabin to the back of the plane to meet and greet accompanying journalists. 

When Pope Francis visited the Philippines earlier this year, he was flown round-trip by Philippine Airlines between Manila and Tacloban, and from Manila to Rome. 

6 comments:

  1. Not true: PAL did not fly Pope Francis from Rome to Manila; it was Sri Lanka Airlines A340. My gosh, most of you Filipino journalists do not learn a lot about truthfulness in journalism. People around the world saw the video of the Pope's arrival in Manila with an Air Lanka airplane! What else is your evidence otherwise......kakahiya!
    aL did not

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    1. We knew that he arrive via Sri Lanka Air A340. If you read the article as it was written the Pope was flown to Tacloban and Manila by PAL roundtrip and to Rome for his return. kakahiya!

      Delete
  2. We knew that he arrive via Sri Lanka Air A340. If you read the article as it was written the Pope was flown to Tacloban and Manila by PAL roundtrip and to Rome for his return. kakahiya!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Asshole...the article mentioned PAL flew the Pope round trip from Manila to Tacloban. Double check your facts first before looking for errors in others.

      Delete
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  4. We knew that he arrive via Sri Lanka Air A340. If you read the article as it was written the Pope was flown to Tacloban and Manila by PAL roundtrip and to Rome for his return. kakahiya!christian wellness advocate

    ReplyDelete

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