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Airlines enter their Taylor Swift era with not-so-subtle Super Bowl flights

Jan. 29, 2024
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5 min read
Allegiant Stadium
Airlines enter their Taylor Swift era with not-so-subtle Super Bowl flights
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Welcome to ... Las Vegas.

The teams for Super Bowl XVIII have been set: The Kansas City Chiefs will play the San Francisco 49ers in this year’s big game on Feb. 11 at Allegiant Stadium.

With less than two weeks to go until kickoff, airlines are adding flights between Vegas and both Kansas City and the Bay Area.

This is pretty typical. Airlines usually add some capacity for football fans traveling to and from the Super Bowl. However, what’s notable this year isn’t just the extra flights or the types of aircraft ferrying fans to Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Vegas.

Let’s just say the flight numbers got a bit creative…and definitely included some not-so-subtle references.

After all, the Chiefs' fourth Super Bowl appearance in five years means the romance between star tight end Travis Kelce (87) and music icon Taylor Swift will surely take center stage at this annual pinnacle of American sports, music, media and pop culture.

That starts with the flight numbers airlines decided to assign their new Super Bowl-oriented routes.

“You could say that after tonight’s games, we are in our football era, and we are thrilled to provide direct flights from Kansas City to Las Vegas. To our customers who are huge sports fans, look what you made us do,” American Airlines said in a statement that had clear nods to Swift’s historic Eras Tour, not to mention the single from her 2017 album "Reputation."

MCI-LAS (Taylor's Version)

American Airlines Airbus A321neo LAX
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

American is adding a total of seven new nonstop flights between Kansas City International Airport (MCI) and Vegas between Feb. 8 and 13. There are new westbound flights to Vegas on Thursday, Friday and Saturday as well as extra return flights to Kansas City beginning hours after the game and running through Tuesday.

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A few highlights (and again, take special note of the flight numbers):

  • AA15 is an ode to Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (who wears jersey number 15). It will depart Kansas City at 12:30 p.m. CST on Feb. 8 and arrive in Vegas at 1:35 p.m. PST. There will also be two return flights designated AA15 on Monday and Tuesday after the game.
  • AA1989 is a nod to Swift’s hit 2014 album and is the flight number on two Vegas-bound flights from Kanas City — on the Friday and Saturday leading up to the game.
  • Other flight numbers include AA1521 (for Mahomes and his teammate Mike Edwards, who wears jersey number 21) plus, of course, AA87 (for Kelce).

United adds flights, too

United Airlines is also having a bit of fun. Sunday evening, the Chicago-based carrier announced additional capacity between Vegas and both Kansas City and San Francisco International Airport (SFO).

In a social media post, United unveiled the following new routes:

Kansas City to Las Vegas

  • UA1587 — a nod to Mahomes and Kelce
  • UA2287 — United’s explanation: “We’re feelin’ …”
  • UA1989 — United again: “For the fans who *juuuust* got into it.”

San Francisco to Las Vegas

  • UA1995 — the season the 49ers last won a Super Bowl
  • UA1849 — “The original *rush*”

Getting to the Super Bowl

las vegas airport
DARWIN BRANDIS/GETTY IMAGES

If you’re hoping to make last-minute travel arrangements for the big game, be sure to check out TPG’s guide to getting to Vegas for the Super Bowl.

At this stage, you can certainly expect to pay a premium for airfare, hotels and — certainly — for a ticket to the game itself.

Booking app Hopper expects average airfare will peak at around $500, round trip. But, depending on the route, you could certainly end up paying even more.

For instance, let’s say you hope to fly from Kansas City to Vegas on the aptly designated flight 1989. Then, you take the red-eye, Flight 87, home after the game — yes, it departs shortly after Midnight(s).

That American Airlines round trip would cost you $1,245.

AMERICAN AIRLINES

Simply put, if you're considering a trip to the Super Bowl, you shouldn't wait any longer. Lock in those flexible hotel reservations and, at the very least, go ahead and put a hold on your airfare.

After all, there are only 13 days to go.

Related reading:

Featured image by KIRBY LEE/GETTY IMAGES
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • Recommended Credit

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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)
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  • 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.