Robert Isom Recalls How American Airlines 777-200 Was Fitted With Papal Seal and Flagpoles For Pope Francis’s 2015 ‘Shepherd One’ Flights – View from the Wing

American Airlines CEO Robert Isom shared a remembrance to LinkedIn about American Airlines flying Pope Francis on his 2015 U.S. trip.

As I reflect on the passing of Pope Francis, I remember fondly the honor American Airlines had of flying the pontiff from Washington, D.C., to New York, Philadelphia and back to Rome on his trip to the U.S. 10 years ago. The #AATeam took that responsibility seriously, planning the charter for nearly a year and adorning a Boeing 777-200 with the papal seal and flagpole mounts inside the flight deck. Today, that aircraft dons a special plaque to commemorate the plane’s role as Shepherd One.

Here’s Pope Francis visiting the cockpit during that trip.

And here’s the plaque that’s been installed on ship 7AG (registration N776AN) delivered to American Airlines in 1999. There’s not a single incident or issue that’s occurred with this aircraft in the decade since it served as charter for the Pope.

While Papal infallibility only applies ex cathedra, promulgating official teachings of the Church, his choice of American Airlines ought to have persuasive power for many Catholics who should be AAdvantage and Citi co-brand members?

Popes have a long history of flying American and its corporate predecessors including Pope John Paul:

• Flying TWA St. Louis – Rome on a Boeing 767-300 in 1999
• Flying TWA Newark – Baltimore – Rome on a Boeing 767-300 in 1995
• Flying American Denver – Rome on a Boeing 767-300ER in 1993
• Flying a TWA 727 and 747 on an 9 city tour in 1987
• Flying TWA on a 6 city tour on a Boeing 727 then back to Rome on a 707 in 1979
• TWA Rome – New Yokr JFK – Rome on a 707 in 1965

The Pope’s aircraft is known as Shepherd One, the same way the President flies Air Force One.

American’s 777-200 that flew the Pope has traveled in recent days between London and Charlotte; Charlotte and Rome; Miami and Madrid; Miami and Rio; and New York JFK and Madrid as well as Buenos Aires. It now features Super Diamond business class seats, but in 2015 was outfitted with American’s old Flagship Suites and angled business class, but a more generous nine-abreast seating in coach compared to today’s ten-across seats.