Photos Inside Air Force One: Obamas, Bushes, Clinton Share Ride to Mandela Memorial

Photos from White House photographer Pete Souza reveal private moments on AF1.

ByABC News
December 11, 2013, 11:16 AM
President Barack Obama jokes with former President George W. Bush shortly after boarding Air Force One for the trip to South Africa, Dec. 9, 2013.
President Barack Obama jokes with former President George W. Bush shortly after boarding Air Force One for the trip to South Africa, Dec. 9, 2013.
Official White House Photo by Pete Souza

Dec. 11, 2013— -- Rarely do so many former inhabitants of the White House occupy the same (confined) space as they did this week to travel some 13 hours to South Africa to celebrate the life of the late Nelson Mandela.

President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama were joined by former President George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush, as well as former first lady and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for the ride.

The photos, taken by White House photographer Pete Souza, are a rare glimpse of these VIPs joking around, showing off, and sharing a meal aboard the Boeing 747, also known as Air Force One.

PHOTO: President Obama and President Bush talk as they get ready to have dinner aboard Air Force One with their wives and Valerie Jarrett, Tina Tchen and Susan Rice.
President Obama and President Bush talk as they get ready to have dinner aboard Air Force One with their wives and Valerie Jarrett, Tina Tchen and Susan Rice.
On Air Force One, former President Bush shows photos to First Lady Michelle Obama, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Valerie Jarrett, National Security Advisor Susan E. Rice, Attorney General Eric Holder and former First Lady Laura Bush.
Aboard Air Force One, former President Bush shows photos of his paintings to, from left, First Lady Michelle Obama, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Valerie Jarrett, National Security Advisor Susan E. Rice, Attorney General Eric Holder and former First Lady Laura Bush, Dec. 9, 2013.
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton talks with the Obama's, Ben Rhodes and Capricia Marshall aboard Air Force One, Dec. 9, 2013.
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton talks with the Obama's, Ben Rhodes and Capricia Marshall aboard Air Force One, Dec. 9, 2013.
President Barack Obama jokes with former President George W. Bush shortly after boarding Air Force One for the trip to South Africa, Dec. 9, 2013.
President Barack Obama jokes with former President George W. Bush shortly after boarding Air Force One for the trip to South Africa, Dec. 9, 2013.
PHOTO: President and Mrs. Obama, former President and Mrs. Bush, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrive in South Africa, Dec. 10, 2013.
President and Mrs. Obama, former President and Mrs. Bush, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrive in South Africa, Dec. 10, 2013.

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