A sentimental Barack Obama locked up his Chicago home and arrived here on Sunday to await his inauguration on January 20, flying for the first time as president-elect on one of the Air Force planes used to ferry presidents and top officials.

Obama’s wife, Michelle, and his daughters, Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, flew to Washington from Chicago on Saturday so the girls could prepare for their first day at a Washington private school on Monday. “I’ve got to say that I choked up a little bit leaving the house today,” Obama said before take-off from Chicago. “Malia’s friend had dropped off an album of the two of them together. They’ve been friends since preschool, and I just looked through the pages. The house was empty, and it was a little tough. It got me.”

Aides who boarded the plane in Chicago including David Axelrod, a senior adviser, and Robert Gibbs, the press secretary, were excited at being aboard one of the presidential planes. Several said the experience drove home the realization that Obama had won the presidency. “It’s a little clearer now,” Gibbs said. “Nice digs.”

The Boeing 757-200, part of the Air Force’s Special Air Mission fleet, bore the distinctive blue and white colors and the words United States of America. But only a plane ferrying the president is designated Air Force One, and, George W Bush is still the president.

Obama greeted Air Force members at the plane and ascended its steps, stopped near the door’s presidential seal and waved saying, “See you in DC.”

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