How Do NFL Football Teams Travel?

We are almost heading toward the mid-season of the 2024-25 NFL, with some action-packed games and a few with score differences that made it seem like a long-distance flight. Fans' excitement is brewing, with the curiosity to know how it will turn out. However, we hardly place importance on an athlete's daily life and what they may endure. While the life of NFL players is fancy, there is little we know about how NFL players travel. 

We may be led to believe that all NFL teams have private jets, but this is not the case. Only two of the 32 teams—the New England Patriots, and the Arizona Cardinals—own private jets. 

The New England Patriots Fleet

The New England Patriots have two Boeing 767-300 ERs with the following registrations:

• N36NE
• N225NE

The club purchased the two widebody aircraft in 2017 flown by American Airlines. However, the Patriots do not operate the aircraft themselves. They lease through a partnership with private flight provider Omni Air International.

The Arizona Cardinals Fleet

In 2021, the Arizona Cardinals purchased the Triple 777 - a Boeing long-range widebody (777-200ER) with the registration N777AZ, previously flown by Delta. It has transformed to suit the Cardinals' needs. With the ability to carry up to 288 passengers, this spacious aircraft offers a variety of seating options, including 28 first-class and 48 business-class seats, providing comfort and luxury to its players.

The Arizona Cardinals also own a Dassault Falcon 7X, an ultra-long-range private jet used by the owner to transport the executive team. The aircraft can fit up to 16 passengers, with the following registration – N1AZ.

Rest of the Clubs

The other 30 NFL teams use charter flights for road (away) games.

Most teams fly widebody aircraft because of its space and convenience for players to rest, stretch, and sleep well. The country has a land of 3,677,647 square miles, and players must travel not only in style but in peace as well, for they have to be at their best to perform at the games. The three big airlines – American, Delta, and United fly most teams, but there is no doubt that it is expensive for the clubs to secure charter planes.

Moreover, a disparity exists because commercial airlines are busy throughout the year with their schedules, and it makes sense to purchase a private jet in such a scenario, knowing the plane will be waiting and ready for the players. However, a club has to weigh its options carefully because owning a private jet could cost around $7-10 million, and to maintain it annually an additional $4-5 million.

Top 5 NFL Teams Traveling most in 2024-25

According to profootballnetwork.com, some teams will spend more time traveling than other teams this season, as they face more difficult opponents.

The top five teams traveling most this season:

1. Los Angeles Chargers – 26,803 miles
2. Miami Dolphins – 25,869 miles
3. Seattle Seahawks – 25,797 miles
4. New England Patriots – 25,071 miles
5. San Francisco 49ers – 24,575 miles