Nicolas Sarkozy's New Presidential Plane Gets A Test Flight

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed)
Aug 1st 2010 at 4:00PM

Looks like it will soon be wheels up for French President Nicolas Sarkozy. His new plane, a specially outfitted Airbus A330-200 has had its first test flight in Bordeaux. The $235 million plane is Sarkozy's answer to Air Force One (Obama rides in a Boeing 747-200) and comes with a 12-man meeting room, 60 business class seats, a bedroom for the president, a shower and an air filter system so he can smoke cigars. It is protected by a top-grade encrypted communications systems, a reinforced fuselage and missile decoy system. The ten-year-old plane was bought from Air Caraibes, the Caribbean airline. Two smaller A319s are currently used for the French President and will be sold. He has also ordered two Falcon 7Xs for smaller, shorter trips. One of the planes is reportedly named the Carla One after Sarkozy's wife Carla Bruni.

According to an article in the Telegraph, the French government denies that the plane is an extravagance. A government spokesperson said that the plane isn't ostentatious but is "equipment fitting for the world's fifth power." Sarkozy has been under fire for his luxury spending before. His lavish trips around the world and time spent in private jets and on lavish yachts has raised eyebrows.

Tags: Airbus, Carla Bruni, carla bruni-sarkozy, france, Nicolas Sarkozy

Filed under: Wings

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Sheila Aug 22nd 2010 5:09AM

The plane sounds very nice. He is not as extravangant as our president, Obama

Frank ODonnell Aug 3rd 2010 8:06AM

This Politician is OK, his Wife (girlfriend ? ) is beautiful.............they must spend
alot of time in the Air ? So what's wrong with a Personal airplane ? This is
France isn't it ? I like the French, they seem to spend time thinking before they
say something and French women are very feminine and lovely !

Hi Debbie Aug 3rd 2010 1:32PM

His wife is Italian born not French

Paul Aug 3rd 2010 8:28AM

Sarkozy lives like a pauper compared to our president. Well, after all, doesn't Obama think he's king of the free world. Obama gets a spanking new limo., a new Boeing plane.............nothing "used" for this president. And..........the American people are paying through the nose.

Joynerdl1 Aug 3rd 2010 9:22AM

The last time I checked the president's of the our country have lived this lifestyle your calling lavish, before Obama. I mean even a child would have enough sense not to make that incredibly stupid comment you just made. I mean Im just baffled by the powerful stupidity, and ignorance of that comment. I mean did you not notice that they have been using Airforce One, that limo with motorcade, Marine One and living in the Whitehouse for quite a while now. Also if you do some fact checking before speaking, the president didn't order that new limo the secret service had it built for him at their request. You know maybe it might have something having to do with him being the leader of the free world and might needing some extra security, because according to the secret service , his death threats increased by 400%, largely due to the color of his skin. You see those are all facts you can check, but usually the idea of knowing what the hell you are talking about before you speak, is not a strong point for the ignorant. I mean seriously Eisenhower was factually the first president to use Airforce One,and Obama then obviously is not the first to get a new one.I mean just do some reading sometime.It's obvious you don't do much so just try a little at a time.Just a little fact checking so you don't post incredibly ignorant comments without knowing what you're talking about. Thank You in advance on behalf of so many reasonable people.

Bob Aug 4th 2010 12:48AM

I did not know Obama is getting a new plane? Must be from the stimulus money right?

Alexander Treutler Aug 3rd 2010 12:15PM

A truly ignorant statement -- or is it racism hiding behind your comments?

After all, Bush and every president before him had Air Force One.

Remember Nixon? He had a chair installed that could lift him above the rest of the common herd. Nobody seemed to complain. But he was Republican so I guess that made it right. And he was pale male.

Surfundeep Aug 7th 2010 2:08PM

Good riddance...in 2 years Obama will be "used" !

Tom Aug 3rd 2010 9:22AM

A cigar room? No wonder he looks so unhealthy.

Tom Aug 3rd 2010 9:27AM

A cigar room? No wonder Sarkozy looks so unhealthy.

Craig Aug 3rd 2010 9:53AM

Some of you folks frighten me, especially when you speak about your knowledge of this country's presidential transportation fleet........

BRAD Aug 3rd 2010 10:09AM

WHEN OBAMA READS THIS YOU KNOW HE WILL WANT A NEWER BETTER MODE OF TRAVEL. OH WELL, I BET NANCY PELOSI WILL ASK FOR THE 747 AND WILL PROBABLY GET IT. I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS WOMAN ONLY WORKS 3 DAY'S A WEEK AND COMMUTES. AND, WE PAY FOR IT

Sal Aug 5th 2010 2:44PM

Pelosi just got a Boeing 757 that she uses to commute. Can I ask a question?

Why can't all the congress and senate use this not so new tool. The conference call.

My company had divisions in 37 states and we conference called every week.

With actual traveling once a quarter, We saved a FORTUNE.

Joe Aug 3rd 2010 11:02AM

What does one expect from a close friend of Obama? Now it's going to be another "keeping up with the Jones's" and good ole Obamie will be ordering a new Air Force One! After all, Obamie NEEDS a new one with all the vacations and places he's been traveling to rather than staying in the USA and tending to his WORK! Err...guess that is THIS presidents work now huh.

Alexander Treutler Aug 3rd 2010 12:22PM

My 'Reply' popped up in the wrong place - it was about who was buddies with the French Pres.

A truly ignorant statement -- or is it racism hiding behind your comments?

After all, Bush and every president before him had Air Force One.

Remember Nixon? He had a chair installed that could lift him above the rest of the common herd. Nobody seemed to complain. But he was Republican so I guess that made it right. And he was pale male

IGOR von WURTTEMBURG Aug 13th 2010 7:29PM

A POSITION IN GOVERMENT BRINGS EXPOSURE AND RISKS TO LIFE; THEREFORE ,LUXURY AND COMFORT MAY HELP SOOTHE THE WARY SOULS OF THOSE WE HAVE APPOINTED TO REPRESENT US

Igor von Wurttemburg

linmarco Aug 3rd 2010 11:34AM

Lots of posting here prior to thinking.

Tom Herring Aug 3rd 2010 12:01PM

He's just keeping up with the Jones's, just like every Commander in Chief.

Alexander Treutler Aug 3rd 2010 12:18PM

Joe, Joe, Joe -- Sarkozy was buddies with Bush.

nolan Aug 3rd 2010 1:16PM

why is it every time a person speaks bad or criticize a person of color it is racist....please people get over it its been over two hundred years and you still dont get it ...it was our own people sold the blacks into slavery..not the racist white man

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