The 2024 US Presidential campaign is in full swing. Presidential and vice presidential candidates are criss-crossing the country to make their pitch to voters. This year, both vice presidential candidates are utilizing Boeing 737-800s. Earlier we reported on Sen Vance’s Boeing 737-800 as part of the Trump/Vance ticket. Now we are getting our first glance at the Harris/Walz Boeing 737.
The Harris/Walz campaign jet with tail number N778MA features the tagline ‘A New Way Forward” above the center of the fuselage along with a series of blue and grey stars.
The engine nacelles feature an American flag while the tail looks a little bit like a decommissioned American Airlines jet with its tail evoking the stripes of an American flag.
Boeing 737-800 Is The Hot Jet This Campaign Cycle
The Boeing 737-800 seems to be the jet of choice for vice presidential candidates this year. Both the Trump/Vance and Harris/Walz campaigns lease the type for their campaign cycle. The Boeing 737-800 is an ideal aircraft for a presidential campaign due to its size, range, and operating performance.
The 737-800 has a seating capacity that can comfortably accommodates staff and media. It is large enough to have a mixed cabin configuration with first class up front, a lounge area in the middle and economy class seats in the rear for staff and media.
The 737-800’s range of over 3,000 miles allows for non-stop travel between key campaign stops across the country. The 737-800 can fly into regional airports with runways as short at 5,500 feet allowing it to stop at more airfields.
While the design is approaching 25 years old, the Boeing 737-800 is still relatively efficient and cost effective. It is also readily available on the leasing market via charter operators.
Who Operates the Harris/Walz Boeing 737?
The Harris/Walz campaign jet is operated by Kaiser Air. Kaiser Air is one of the oldest charter companies still in business. The company first flew DC-3s in 1946. They later flew a host of business jets includes Gulfstreams, LearJets, Hawkers, Challengers, and Citations. The company still operates a charter division with a small fleet of business jets.
Kaiser Air is based in the San Francisco Bay Area. They provide all air travel for the San Jose Sharks and fly a number of professional and collegiate teams to events throughout the country with a fleet of three aircraft including 2 Boeing 737-800s and a single Boeing 737-700.
Kaiser Operates Two Scheduled Shuttles To Hawaii
Notably, Kaiser Air has also been a Part 121 air carrier since 2011. They fly for two membership clubs on their Boeing 737NG fleet. Kaiser operates private, yet scheduled service between the West Coast and Kona. The aircraft are configured in a two by two business class arrangement.
The Hawaii Shuttle is offered exclusively for members of certain Big Island neighborhoods to the West Coast. The Kona shuttle operates twice-weekly scheduled service from Oakland to Kona.
Title Image courtesy of Daniël Cronk, used with permission.
