NBA to Lease 13 Custom VIP Airbus A321neo Jets to Enhance Player Travel and Performance
The NBA is set to significantly upgrade team travel by leasing 13 VIP Airbus A321neo aircraft, aiming to improve working conditions and boost player performance across the league. These custom-fitted planes, leased through SMBC Aviation Capital, will feature luxury amenities designed to reduce travel fatigue. Upgrades include custom lie-flat beds, humidifiers, adjustable lighting, and a cabin altitude equivalent of less than 6,000 feet. Delta Air Lines, a longstanding partner of the NBA, is expected to operate these jets.
Player health and performance are driving the league’s initiative to enhance travel amenities. In an era where NBA franchises meticulously monitor every variable tied to performance and injury prevention, upgraded travel conditions are seen as a vital component. Studies have suggested a link between long flights and diminished on-court results shortly afterward; higher-quality jets could mitigate this effect, thereby improving competitive balance.
An Airbus A321neo can accommodate up to 244 passengers in high-density configurations, but these planes will be tailored to hold NBA players, coaches, staffers, and equipment comfortably. Previously, the NBA utilized retrofitted commercial airplanes for team travel, which had comfort limitations. To further combat the toll of cross-country flights, the league has also made efforts to reduce consecutive road games.
Not all teams are expected to be part of the rotation using the new VIP aircraft. Some organizations, such as the Dallas Mavericks, already travel using their own private jets. Meanwhile, the WNBA has also addressed long-distance logistics by partnering with Delta Air Lines to provide a league-wide chartered flight system for the first time.
The NBA did not immediately respond to requests for comment on this development.
Related news: https://airguide.info/?s=Delta+Airlines, https://airguide.info/category/air-travel-business/business-aviation/
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, sportico.com, Corporate Jet Investor