NFL Travel: How Teams Cover Thousands of Miles Every Season

The National Football League (NFL) is gearing up for an exciting new season, featuring a clash between the reigning champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, and the Detroit Lions. As the 18-week season gets underway, the question arises: How do the 32 NFL teams crisscross the country for their games? Let’s explore the fascinating world of NFL team travel.

Miles Covered Vary Widely
During the football season, some NFL teams embark on journeys spanning over 25,000 miles (40,233 kilometers). Take, for instance, the Seattle Seahawks, who are slated to travel an astonishing 31,600 miles (50,855 km). In stark contrast, the Cincinnati Bengals will log considerably fewer miles, with their schedule totaling 11,942 miles (19,218 km), earning them the title of the team with the shortest distance to cover, according to a chart provided by Bookies.com.

However, it’s worth noting that these figures don’t account for instances where teams may have back-to-back games in the same region, which could lead to more efficient travel.

Exclusive Jet Ownership: A Rarity
Among the 32 NFL teams, only two can boast ownership of their aircraft: the New England Patriots and the Arizona Cardinals.

The New England Patriots, situated near Boston, acquired two Boeing 767-300ER aircraft in 2017. These twin-aisle jets, registered as N225NE and N36NE, had previously been part of American Airlines’ fleet before being retired in 2016. Remarkably, neither of these aircraft participated in the NFL preseason games, with the Patriots choosing Delta Air Lines for their journey to Green Bay in mid-August 2023. Both of the Patriots’ Boeing 767s are currently under maintenance at Kansas City International Airport (MCI), according to ch-aviation.com data.

The Arizona Cardinals, on the other hand, purchased a Boeing 777-200ER in 2021. Owner Michael Bidwill emphasized that the former Delta Air Lines aircraft would provide both convenience and comfort for the players during road games. Registered as N867DA, this aircraft has been in the team’s service since December 2021. Although the Cardinals played their preseason games in Phoenix, they’ll be heading to Minnesota to face the Vikings in August 2023, as per flightradar24.com data.

NFL Team-Themed Aircraft
Over the years, several airlines have introduced special liveries dedicated to NFL teams or aimed at attracting passengers in those teams’ home markets. For instance, JetBlue’s partnership with the New York Jets led to the introduction of the “JetGreen” livery in 2009. In 2017, JetBlue refreshed this livery on an Airbus A320 (N746JB).

The Las Vegas Raiders’ colors adorn an Allegiant Airlines Airbus A319 (N328NV) from 2021, while a Viva Aerobus Airbus A320 (XA-VAK) features the same team’s branding from 2022.

In 2014, Boeing commemorated the Seattle Seahawks’ Super Bowl achievement by painting a Boeing 747-8F aircraft with a special Seahawks sticker, a temporary tribute.

Chartering: The Norm for NFL Teams
NFL entourages are substantial, with teams bringing along 53 players, not to mention coaching, medical, communications, and technical staff. These groups travel to away games either eight or nine times during a single regular season.

Miami Dolphins’ behind-the-scenes video, published on YouTube in March 2023, showcased the team’s travel logistics in partnership with Atlas Air. They travel with approximately 180 passengers on a specially configured Atlas Air Boeing 747-400, with more business and first-class seats than a standard 747.

In most cases, NFL teams rely on large scheduled commercial airlines in the US, such as American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines, which can comfortably accommodate their extensive traveling parties. Even though the New York Jets have a partnership with JetBlue, they chartered United Airlines flights during the 2022 season, as seen in images from a game against the Denver Broncos.

The Green Bay Packers opted for a Virgin Atlantic Boeing 787-9 for their trip to London to play the New York Giants at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Many teams prefer airlines with hubs located in their home cities, such as the Minnesota Vikings’ partnership with Delta Air Lines, which has a hub at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP).

Overall, the NFL’s logistical feats in travel are as impressive as the games themselves, showcasing the dedication and precision required to make each season a success.