Super Bowl status: How do NFL teams fly?
Editor's Note
Super Bowl LV will look different this year.
Usually, throngs of fans travel to the host city to catch one of the world's most-watched events. But with the pandemic raging, stadium capacity is capped, and many would-be travelers are stuck at home watching the match-up on television.
On Sunday, the Kansas City Chiefs are taking on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida in Super Bowl LV.
Though Sunday's game is the first time that the home team is playing in their home stadium, the Chiefs still need to get to Tampa. So, how do they do it?
And how do other teams get around the country during the regular season?
Chiefs take to Tampa with United
In years past, teams usually arrive in the host city about a week before the big game. Due to the pandemic, however, the Chiefs' convoy headed down Tampa on Saturday, Feb. 6, just one day before the Super Bowl.
To maintain proper social distancing, the Chiefs took two planes, both United charters, to Tampa.
Most of the coaches and players took the first jet, a 21-year-old Boeing 777-200, that took off at 1:27 p.m. and landed at 4:39 p.m. The second plane, a 12-year-old Boeing 737-800 arrived just 20 minutes later at 4:59 p.m.
The 777, registered N78013, was recently outfitted with United's latest Polaris retrofit, sporting 50 business-class pods, 24 premium economy recliners and 202 coach seats.
The more modest 737, registered N76515, was delivered to the carrier in 2008. The single-aisle jet has room for 166 passengers, with 16 seats up front in biz and the remainder in coach.
Neither plane is painted in United's latest Blue Evolution livery.
VIPs take their own planes to the big game
In most years, there are plenty of private, VIP jets flying to the host city in the days leading up to the Super Bowl. (There's also a mass exodus of the world's nicest planes the evening and morning after the game.)
On Friday, award-winning quarterback Peyton Manning and his son Marshall headed to Tampa on a Boeing 737 business jet, registered N101TD, owned by Bopper Airways LLC, according to Federal Aviation Administration documents.
The company's mailing address has an attention for the Indianapolis Colts, and rumors have it that the team's owner, Jim Irsay, owns the 737.
The Patriots own their jet
While the New England Patriots have made 11 Super Bowl appearances, the team won't be playing in the 2021 championship.
The Patriots were the first team to own their own aircraft, however. They bought two used Boeing 767s in 2017. The 767-323ER shown below is an extended range version that can fly for 12 hours.
Though the 12-hour range isn't necessary for domestic hops, it's safe to say that the Pats bought their 767, which used to fly for American Airlines, for its large size and relatively cheap price on the used market.
The aircraft is outfitted with domestic first-class recliner seats in a 2-3-2 and 2-2-2 configuration — each with its own entertainment system. Its home base is T.F. Green Airport in Providence, Rhode Island (PVD).
Most teams charter
Other NFL teams travel by chartered aircraft. It allows teams to have the feeling of flying private without the costs of owning an airplane. Still, chartering jetliners can cost tens of thousands of dollars an hour, so it's not exactly cheap.
The big three U.S. airlines operated almost all NFL team flights up until 2017, when American and United dropped clients when they found they could make more money using the planes for regular commercial service.
Of course, the pandemic has shifted the equation, with many planes parked in long-term storage due to the drop in demand. Throughout the 2020-2021 season and into the playoffs, a mix of American, Delta and United jets ferried teams across the country.
With many airlines retiring some of their older international wide-body jets, teams have enjoyed some of the more luxurious passenger jets in the sky.
For instance, Delta's swanky Airbus A330-900neo took the Seattle Seahawks to San Francisco during Week 17. Lucky flyers could enjoy one of the 29 posh Delta One Suites.
Two lesser-known companies, Atlas Air and Miami Air, have also recently helped teams criss-cross the country in style.
Atlas Air is a large cargo, charter and airline lessor. It counts 118 aircraft in its fleet with a whopping 55 747s (the biggest fleet of Boeing 747s in the world), mostly cargo.
The Miami Dolphins charted a 747-400 from Atlas Air for some of the season. The jumbo jet, usually operated for long-haul travel, was used on domestic hops, such as during Week 17 from Fort Lauderdale (FLL) to Buffalo (BUF), a roughly three-hour flight.
In years past, teams have chartered some of Miami Air's seven 737-800s. The 737s it uses for sports charters are outfitted with a VIP interior containing only first-class seats in a 2-2 layout.
Featured image by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire / Getty Images
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
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- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.