Obama, Bush, and Clinton Enjoy Unusually Comfortable Flight to South Africa

The Obamas brace themselves before being forced to chat with people they’ve met multiple times. Photo: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images

President Obama spent most of the day traveling to South Africa, where he will speak at a memorial service for Nelson Mandela on Tuesday. He was accompanied by Michelle Obama, George W. Bush, Laura Bush, and Hillary Clinton, leading many to declare it the most “awkward” Air Force One trip ever. Except, the First Families see each other at such functions regularly, most recently for the dedication of W.’s presidential library. And a White House official said they congregated in a conference room to swap stories about Mandela, and had their own quarters to retreat to. We’re assuming Laura didn’t recline all the way into Hillary’s seat or repeatedly crawl over Michelle to go to the bathroom, so as sixteen-hour flights go, it doesn’t sound so bad.

Obama, Bush, and Clinton Share Comfy Flight