China's Presidential Jets: A Look Inside Xi Jinping's Boeing 747-8I

China's top leadership has its own fleet of aircraft for international travel, managed by the 34th Division of the People's Liberation Army Air Force. The fleet includes six Boeing 737-300s, two 737-700s, four 737-800s, three Airbus A319s, and ten Bombardier Challenger 800s.

The regulations restrict the use of dedicated presidential aircraft to the President and the State Council Premier for international visits. Other state leaders are required to use chartered planes instead.

For long-haul international travel, Xi Jinping's choice of aircraft has been a specially converted Boeing 747-8I, carrying Air China branding and registration B-2479. The conversion took place around 2016-2017 for exclusive head-of-state use.