How Does Nfl Teams Travel? The National Football League is a multi-billion dollar industry, and how its teams travel is a complex and fascinating operation. Travels.edu.vn explores the intricate logistics involved in transporting players, staff, and equipment, providing a comprehensive guide to NFL team travel. From chartered flights to specialized logistics, discover the essential elements that ensure teams arrive safely and prepared for every game, focusing on team logistics, chartered travel, and NFL operations.
Table of Contents
- The Scale of NFL Team Travel
- Private Jets: The Exception, Not the Rule
- Chartered Flights: The Standard for NFL Teams
- Seating Arrangements: Prioritizing Player Comfort
- Which Airlines Do NFL Teams Use?
- The Challenges of Flying NFL Teams
- Alternative Travel Solutions: Atlas Air and Beyond
- The Green Bay Packers’ Unique Approach
- Potential Future Changes in NFL Team Travel
- FAQ: Everything You Need to Know About NFL Team Travel
1. The Scale of NFL Team Travel
The National Football League (NFL) is comprised of 32 teams scattered across the United States. The distances between these teams can vary significantly, from as little as 30 miles (45 km) to nearly 3,000 miles (4,500 km). This geographical spread necessitates extensive travel, making logistics a critical aspect of each team’s operations.
Each NFL team has an active roster of 53 players. However, the traveling party for a single game can include anywhere from 175 to 200 individuals, according to the New York Times. This includes coaches, medical staff, nutritionists, and team doctors, all of whom are essential for ensuring the team is prepared and supported during away games.
In addition to personnel, NFL teams must transport a significant amount of equipment to each game. Teams typically bring at least 53 bags – one for each player – plus an additional 10-16 bags for practice squad players, according to Axios. They also transport around 27 team balls and various consumables. The total weight of this equipment can range from 15,000 lbs (6,800 kg) to 20,000 lbs (9,000 kg) in colder weather, accounting for extra gear.
In some instances, equipment trucks may depart a couple of days before the team’s flight. However, for games that are far apart, this isn’t feasible, and the team’s flight must accommodate all the necessary equipment.
2. Private Jets: The Exception, Not the Rule
While the NFL generates substantial revenue, with Statista reporting over $20 billion in revenue for 2023, only two teams own their private jets.
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New England Patriots: The first NFL team to purchase their own aircraft, acquiring two Boeing 767-300s in 2017. These planes, previously operated by American Airlines, are configured in a VIP layout and operated by Omni Air. Nicknamed ‘AirKraft’ after chairman Robert Kraft, these jets give the Patriots unparalleled flexibility in travel logistics.
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Arizona Cardinals: In 2021, the Arizona Cardinals followed suit, acquiring a Boeing 777 adorned in their team colors. This former Delta Air Lines plane, now registered as N777AZ, is based at Phoenix Sky Harbor and features 28 first-class and 48 business-class seats for players, along with 212 economy seats for the rest of the entourage.
Alt Text: The Arizona Cardinals Boeing 777, liveried in team colors, stands ready for team transport.
3. Chartered Flights: The Standard for NFL Teams
Teams that do not own private jets typically rely on chartered flights from commercial airlines. This is essential due to the large number of people and the volume of equipment that needs to be transported. Regular narrow-body planes like the Boeing 737 are simply not large enough to accommodate the team and their gear.
As a result, NFL teams usually charter wide-body aircraft such as the Boeing 767 or 777. These planes are typically used for long-haul international routes and often include multiple classes of seating. While first class is less common in U.S. aviation, many chartered flights offer business class and premium economy seating, ensuring that players have enough space to travel comfortably.
4. Seating Arrangements: Prioritizing Player Comfort
The larger seats in business and first class are not just a luxury for NFL players; they are a necessity. With the average player weighing around 250 lbs, cramming them into standard economy seats would be uncomfortable and could potentially affect their performance.
It remains unclear how teams decide which players get the premium seats when there are fewer business class seats than players. A hierarchy within the team may dictate seating arrangements.
5. Which Airlines Do NFL Teams Use?
Traditionally, NFL teams have flown with the “big three” U.S. airlines: American, Delta, and United.
- United Airlines: In the 2024-25 season, United Airlines flew more NFL charters than any other airline, utilizing Boeing 767s, 787 Dreamliners, and 777s.
- Delta Air Lines: Delta also transports numerous NFL teams, using the Boeing 767 as well as Airbus A330s and A350s.
- American Airlines: For the Dallas Cowboys, flying out of Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), American Airlines has been the preferred choice for over three decades. The team flies on a Boeing 777 with 37 business class seats and 24 premium economy seats.
Captain Bill Peterson, a Boeing 777 captain who has flown the Cowboys for 10 years, notes that the crew working on these charters take great pride in their work, ensuring every detail is perfect, from the number of water bottles to the overall comfort of the team.
JetTip provides detailed tracking of NFL charter flights. For example, on Saturday, January 4, 2025, seven teams traveled with United Airlines, including the Chicago Bears, San Francisco 49ers, and New Orleans Saints. Four teams flew with Delta, including the LA Chargers, Buffalo Bills, and Minnesota Vikings. American Airlines transported none.
However, the landscape is shifting. In 2017, American Airlines cut ties with several NFL teams due to unprofitable operations. They now only fly the Carolina Panthers, Dallas Cowboys, and Philadelphia Eagles (although they did fly the LA Rams in 2024/25). United Airlines has also not renewed contracts with some teams.
6. The Challenges of Flying NFL Teams
The primary challenge of transporting NFL teams is the schedule. Consider Week 18, where Delta transported the Cincinnati Bengals to play the Pittsburgh Steelers on a Saturday night. Delta does not have a hub in Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport (CVG), so they had to fly their Boeing 767 from Atlanta to Cincinnati on Friday night.
The plane then departed with the Bengals at 4 p.m., arriving in Pittsburgh 45 minutes later. The 767, typically used for long-haul flights with over 200 passengers, sat on the ground for 32 hours until the game ended. It finally departed Pittsburgh at 1:30 a.m. on Sunday, returning to Cincinnati at 2:15 a.m.
Alt Text: Pittsburgh Steelers stadium, where chartered flights wait for the game to conclude before returning.
Delta then had to reposition the plane to JFK for a flight to Mexico City the next day. In total, Delta’s Boeing 767-300ER was tied up for over two days for only 1.5 hours of paid flying.
This example illustrates why airlines are hesitant to commit to NFL contracts, particularly with teams not based at their hubs. Sports like basketball, baseball, and hockey, which have more frequent games and can use smaller planes, are more attractive to airlines.
7. Alternative Travel Solutions: Atlas Air and Beyond
For NFL teams unable to secure contracts with commercial airlines, dedicated charter companies like Atlas Air provide an alternative.
Atlas Air, a specialist in charter and cargo flights, has been flying NFL teams since 2017. While they have Boeing 767s, they primarily use specially configured Boeing 747s – the “Queen of the Skies.”
Atlas Air has five 747-400s in passenger configuration, two of which (N263SG and N322SG) feature a premium-heavy layout with 10 first-class, 143 business-class, and only 36 economy seats. This configuration provides ample premium seating for players and support staff.
Bill Grobasky, director of Atlas Air Passenger Charter Sales, emphasizes the company’s focus on providing high-quality service and meeting each team’s unique requirements.
During the 2024/25 season, teams such as the Seattle Seahawks, Miami Dolphins, Denver Broncos, Baltimore Ravens, and Jacksonville Jaguars used Atlas 747s.
8. The Green Bay Packers’ Unique Approach
Some teams have adopted unique strategies to secure airline contracts. The Green Bay Packers, for example, work with Delta to provide two separate smaller planes (a Boeing 757 and a Boeing 737) instead of one large one. This arrangement is easier for the airline to manage, with the two planes taking off within 15 minutes of each other.
9. Potential Future Changes in NFL Team Travel
The NFL has considered investing in its own fleet of aircraft or negotiating bulk travel deals with airlines to save teams money. However, no concrete actions have been taken.
For now, NFL teams face high transportation costs, which are expected to increase as demand for commercial aviation continues to rise.
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Here’s a helpful table summarizing the key travel methods and considerations:
| Aspect | Details | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Team Size | 53 active players, 175-200 total traveling party | Requires significant seating and logistical planning. |
| Equipment Weight | 15,000-20,000 lbs (6,800-9,000 kg) | Needs specialized cargo handling and aircraft capacity. |
| Travel Methods | Chartered flights (Boeing 767, 777, Airbus A330, A350), Private Jets (Boeing 767-300, Boeing 777), Atlas Air (Boeing 747) | Cost, availability, and logistical constraints influence the chosen method. |
| Airline Choices | United, Delta, American, Atlas Air | Hub locations, aircraft availability, and contractual agreements dictate airline choices. |
| Scheduling | Challenging due to short turnaround times and need for aircraft repositioning. | Airlines may be hesitant to commit due to potential disruptions to regular schedules. |
| Seating | Business class and premium economy for players, economy for other staff. | Player comfort and performance are prioritized, influencing seating arrangements. |
| Special Cases | Green Bay Packers using two smaller planes instead of one large one. | Creative solutions can help overcome logistical challenges and secure airline contracts. |
| Future Trends | Potential for NFL-owned fleet or bulk travel deals. | Aims to reduce costs and improve logistical efficiency. |
| Cost | High, due to specialized requirements and logistical complexities. | Teams are constantly seeking ways to optimize costs while maintaining high standards of comfort and efficiency. |
10. FAQ: Everything You Need to Know About NFL Team Travel
- Which NFL teams own their own planes?
- As of 2024, only two NFL teams own their own planes: the New England Patriots and the Arizona Cardinals.
- Why don’t more NFL teams own their own planes?
- Owning and maintaining a private jet is extremely expensive. Most teams find it more cost-effective to charter flights.
- Do NFL players always fly first class?
- While not always first class, NFL players typically fly in business class or premium economy to ensure they have enough space and comfort.
- What happens to the plane while the team is playing the game?
- The chartered plane typically remains grounded at the destination airport until the game is over, waiting to transport the team back home.
- How much equipment do NFL teams transport?
- NFL teams typically transport between 15,000 and 20,000 pounds of equipment, including player bags, practice equipment, and medical supplies.
- Why are airlines hesitant to fly NFL teams?
- The tight schedules and the need to keep a wide-body aircraft grounded for extended periods can disrupt regular flight schedules and reduce profitability for airlines.
- What is Atlas Air’s role in NFL team travel?
- Atlas Air is a specialist charter airline that provides large, premium-configured Boeing 747s for NFL teams that cannot secure contracts with major commercial airlines.
- How do NFL teams handle transporting equipment in cold weather?
- In cold weather, the weight of the equipment increases due to additional clothing and gear. Teams must ensure that the aircraft has sufficient capacity to accommodate the extra weight.
- Has the NFL ever considered buying its own fleet of planes?
- Yes, the NFL has contemplated investing in its own fleet or negotiating bulk travel deals with airlines, but no concrete actions have been taken.
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