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Here's the 60-Seat Boeing 737 the US Women's Soccer Team Flew to France

July 07, 2019
3 min read
Screenshot 2019-07-07 17.19.19
Here's the 60-Seat Boeing 737 the US Women's Soccer Team Flew to France
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The United States Women's National Soccer Team (USWNT) has just won its fourth World Cup. After defeating the Netherlands with a final score of 2 to 0, the USWNT is currently partying it up in France. With social media littered with videos and pictures of the team popping bottles of champagne and dancing on furniture, it's safe to say they're probably not thinking about the flight home.

However, while these ladies are busy celebrating their hard-earned win, TPG did manage to find the team's intra-European Boeing 737.

https://www.instagram.com/p/ByciBmLFXER/?igshid=ysw5nk1gv46o

For around a week leading up to the World Cup, the USWNT practiced at a facility in England. To get to their next stop in France, the country hosting the World Cup, the USWNT got to fly aboard a Boeing 737-300. However, unlike your typical Boeing 737, which carries anywhere from 110 to 177 passengers, this 737 featured just 60 seats.

The interior of the Boeing 737 used by the USWNT on an intra-European flight. (Image by malethaero_malta on Instagram)

Though the aircraft pales in comparison to other luxury jets, the Boeing 737-300 is still equipped with some decent amenities, like extra-reclining seats with leg rests. That might not sound all that luxurious, however, the team only flew aboard the aircraft for the short 40-minute flight from London to Paris.

The US Women's National Soccer Team aren't the only high-profile travelers to enjoy the comfort of this 32-year-old VIP-configured Boeing 737-300. The aircraft, which bears the registration 9H-MTF, previously served as the official plane for Green Day's 2017 South American tour.

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The aircraft was previously used by Green Day on the band's 2017 South American tour. (Image by Rafael Luiz Canossa via Flickr)

And while the USWNT traveled aboard the chartered aircraft for this leg of the World Cup, these aircraft are rarely available to women's soccer teams in the US. In fact, the USWNT sued the United States Soccer Federation over gender discrimination primarily over the right to equal pay but also included women's teams failing to receive equal access to chartered flights for away games.

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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
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Best for dining at restaurants
TPG Editor‘s Rating
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Rewards Rate

4XEarn 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.
4XEarn 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.
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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.
  • Annual Fee

    $325
  • Recommended Credit

    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.