Plane Watch: Bigger Plane Offers More Convenience for Clinton
PHILADELPHIA -- For those of you keeping track, the Clinton campaign has chartered a new airplane for the final day before the Pennsylvania primary.
Gone is the smaller, less private Boeing 717. Taking its place is a much larger MD-80.
As in previous campaigns, the number of traveling reporters tends to increase as election day nears. The 88-passenger 717 offered little in the way of privacy for Clinton, who sat at the front of the airplane but was forced to share the same entrance to the plane as the press. Clinton would have to sit and wait while press lugging their gear made their way on and off the plane. She even had to share the two lavatories that were at the rear of the plane where the press sits.
The 143 passenger MD-80 offers more room and is designed by Midwest Airlines to charter around NBA teams. The seats are laid out with extra space for the long legs of the players.
Clinton remains at the front of the aircraft with some more privacy as the first set of reporters is several rows behind her. But perhaps the biggest bonus for Clinton is the extra restroom at the front of the plane. No more waiting in line or having to share with the press.