First ones of the 2019 pre-season:

Thursday, 25 July
Dallas Cowboys (en route to training camp in Oxnard): AA9458 DFW-LAX B772 (N755AN)
https://www.flightradar24.com/data/flights/aa9458

Wednesday, 1 August
Hall of Fame Game, Canton, Ohio
Denver Broncos: UA2544 DEN-CAK B764 (N66051)
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/UAL ... /KDEN/KCAK
Atlanta Falcons: DL8863 ATL-CAK B752 (N692DL)
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/DAL ... /KATL/KCAK

Semi-related: Wendover Productions posted a YouTube video discussing the logistics of transporting an NFL team:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJ_LUFBSoqM

A lot of this is somewhat common knowledge among aviation enthusiasts, but this account has posted some interesting aviation related videos over the past few years.

ctrabs0114 wrote:

Semi-related: Wendover Productions posted a YouTube video discussing the logistics of transporting an NFL team:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJ_LUFBSoqM

A lot of this is somewhat common knowledge among aviation enthusiasts, but this account has posted some interesting aviation related videos over the past few years.

Thank you for referencing that. I thought it a pretty good intro as well, surprisingly thorough for 14 min.

Cool thread idea! We'll really start to get into the swing of things here soon as the NFL preseason starts on August eighth.

Wednesday October 3rd..
VS653 ORD-LHR A346 Chicago Bears to LHR

jcwr56 wrote:

Wednesday October 3rd..
VS653 ORD-LHR A346 Chicago Bears to LHR

Is this a one-off, or is Virgin a sponsor of the London games? (just curious)

chidino wrote:

jcwr56 wrote:

Wednesday October 3rd..
VS653 ORD-LHR A346 Chicago Bears to LHR

Is this a one-off, or is Virgin a sponsor of the London games? (just curious)

VS has always flown NFL teams to London for the games staged there, usually on an A340. The Bears typically fly UA for road games.

chidino wrote:

ctrabs0114 wrote:

Semi-related: Wendover Productions posted a YouTube video discussing the logistics of transporting an NFL team:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJ_LUFBSoqM

A lot of this is somewhat common knowledge among aviation enthusiasts, but this account has posted some interesting aviation related videos over the past few years.

Thank you for referencing that. I thought it a pretty good intro as well, surprisingly thorough for 14 min.

The Wendover YouTube page has typically produced some excellent videos explaining aspects of the aviation industry, which is great for those not as well versed in the field.

ctrabs0114 wrote:

Semi-related: Wendover Productions posted a YouTube video discussing the logistics of transporting an NFL team:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJ_LUFBSoqM

A lot of this is somewhat common knowledge among aviation enthusiasts, but this account has posted some interesting aviation related videos over the past few years.

So I saw this and can understand why airlines would charge the NFL a huge amount money to charter and why airlines are not necessarily happy with NFL charters.

Using the example of the Jets in the video charter the UA 767 out of EWR to Providence to play the Patriots and that plane stays grounded there for the duration of the game (which the airline doesn't like).
Can't they use the metal for the day and ensure a plane gets back to pick up the team instead of it sitting there or is that something the NFL insists? It seems to me once that plane is unloaded it would make sense for that aircraft to return to EWR empty for regular service and then UA sends another plane to pick up the team at the desired time.

I wonder if the Bills will be using Atlas 767 and 747's this season?

StarAC17 wrote:

ctrabs0114 wrote:

Semi-related: Wendover Productions posted a YouTube video discussing the logistics of transporting an NFL team:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJ_LUFBSoqM

A lot of this is somewhat common knowledge among aviation enthusiasts, but this account has posted some interesting aviation related videos over the past few years.

So I saw this and can understand why airlines would charge the NFL a huge amount money to charter and why airlines are not necessarily happy with NFL charters.

Using the example of the Jets in the video charter the UA 767 out of EWR to Providence to play the Patriots and that plane stays grounded there for the duration of the game (which the airline doesn't like).
Can't they use the metal for the day and ensure a plane gets back to pick up the team instead of it sitting there or is that something the NFL insists? It seems to me once that plane is unloaded it would make sense for that aircraft to return to EWR empty for regular service and then UA sends another plane to pick up the team at the desired time.

Actually that's not true. The UA 764 mentioned in the video did not sit at PVD for 26 hours. The plane dropped of the Jets, fueled up and went back to EWR, then did a flight to LHR that same night while another flew in a few hours before the end of the game to take them back. While most charters do sit for the duration, I've never seen UA sit their 764's.

PVDspotting wrote:

StarAC17 wrote:

ctrabs0114 wrote:

Semi-related: Wendover Productions posted a YouTube video discussing the logistics of transporting an NFL team:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJ_LUFBSoqM

A lot of this is somewhat common knowledge among aviation enthusiasts, but this account has posted some interesting aviation related videos over the past few years.

So I saw this and can understand why airlines would charge the NFL a huge amount money to charter and why airlines are not necessarily happy with NFL charters.

Using the example of the Jets in the video charter the UA 767 out of EWR to Providence to play the Patriots and that plane stays grounded there for the duration of the game (which the airline doesn't like).
Can't they use the metal for the day and ensure a plane gets back to pick up the team instead of it sitting there or is that something the NFL insists? It seems to me once that plane is unloaded it would make sense for that aircraft to return to EWR empty for regular service and then UA sends another plane to pick up the team at the desired time.

Actually that's not true. The UA 764 mentioned in the video did not sit at PVD for 26 hours. The plane dropped of the Jets, fueled up and went back to EWR, then did a flight to LHR that same night while another flew in a few hours before the end of the game to take them back. While most charters do sit for the duration, I've never seen UA sit their 764's.

Which makes perfect sense.

Also another question from the video. It claims that the Cowboys, Eagles and Panthers use AA because all those cities are AA hubs. Who do the Dolphins use as a charter? MIA is a huge AA hub also and I am surprised they don't use A. Granted that could be because facilities the Dolphins use are actually much closer to FLL than MIA.
Does anyone know how to find what team uses what airline?

StarAC17 wrote:

PVDspotting wrote:

StarAC17 wrote:

So I saw this and can understand why airlines would charge the NFL a huge amount money to charter and why airlines are not necessarily happy with NFL charters.

Using the example of the Jets in the video charter the UA 767 out of EWR to Providence to play the Patriots and that plane stays grounded there for the duration of the game (which the airline doesn't like).
Can't they use the metal for the day and ensure a plane gets back to pick up the team instead of it sitting there or is that something the NFL insists? It seems to me once that plane is unloaded it would make sense for that aircraft to return to EWR empty for regular service and then UA sends another plane to pick up the team at the desired time.

Actually that's not true. The UA 764 mentioned in the video did not sit at PVD for 26 hours. The plane dropped of the Jets, fueled up and went back to EWR, then did a flight to LHR that same night while another flew in a few hours before the end of the game to take them back. While most charters do sit for the duration, I've never seen UA sit their 764's.

Which makes perfect sense.

Also another question from the video. It claims that the Cowboys, Eagles and Panthers use AA because all those cities are AA hubs. Who do the Dolphins use as a charter? MIA is a huge AA hub also and I am surprised they don't use A. Granted that could be because facilities the Dolphins use are actually much closer to FLL than MIA.
Does anyone know how to find what team uses what airline?

Last Year the Dolphins used 2 Miami Air International B738s. Not sure if it'll change this year.

United_fan wrote:

I wonder if the Bills will be using Atlas 767 and 747's this season?

The Bills are back with UA this season.

United Airlines will fly13 teams for the 2019 Season:

-Buffalo Bills
-Chicago Bears
-Cleveland Browns
-Denver Broncos
-Houston Texans
-Kansas City Chiefs
-Los Angeles Rams
-New Orleans Saints
-New York Giants
-New York Jets
-San Francisco 49ers
-Tennessee Titans
-Washington Redskins

For anyone looking on Flightaware/FR24 for charters, keep in mind that there are 2 neutral-site preseason games this year:

Cowboys/Rams at HNL 8/17
Packers/Raiders at YWG 8/22

ctrabs0114 wrote:

chidino wrote:

jcwr56 wrote:

Wednesday October 3rd..
VS653 ORD-LHR A346 Chicago Bears to LHR

Is this a one-off, or is Virgin a sponsor of the London games? (just curious)

VS has always flown NFL teams to London for the games staged there, usually on an A340. The Bears typically fly UA for road games.

I’ve seen VS 744 “lady Penelope” every time the buccaneers traveled to London. I remember taking a tug on downtime over to the hard stand to photograph her on my breaks while working for FL in TPA. I also remember seeing a VS 744 in SAN on two occasions taking the then San Diego chargers to London. I’m not doubting your A340 quote but I Personally have never seen a 340 on an nfl charter

jumpseat67 wrote:

United_fan wrote:

I wonder if the Bills will be using Atlas 767 and 747's this season?

The Bills are back with UA this season.

I was under the impression that the Bills used DL for charters up until last season, when they used Atlas.

airtrantpa wrote:

ctrabs0114 wrote:

chidino wrote:

Is this a one-off, or is Virgin a sponsor of the London games? (just curious)

VS has always flown NFL teams to London for the games staged there, usually on an A340. The Bears typically fly UA for road games.

I’ve seen VS 744 “lady Penelope” every time the buccaneers traveled to London. I remember taking a tug on downtime over to the hard stand to photograph her on my breaks while working for FL in TPA. I also remember seeing a VS 744 in SAN on two occasions taking the then San Diego chargers to London. I’m not doubting your A340 quote but I Personally have never seen a 340 on an nfl charter

Most of the VS NFL-related charters last season were A340s. I seem to recall this being discussed in the 2018 NFL charters thread.

PVDspotting wrote:

StarAC17 wrote:

PVDspotting wrote:

Actually that's not true. The UA 764 mentioned in the video did not sit at PVD for 26 hours. The plane dropped of the Jets, fueled up and went back to EWR, then did a flight to LHR that same night while another flew in a few hours before the end of the game to take them back. While most charters do sit for the duration, I've never seen UA sit their 764's.

Which makes perfect sense.

Also another question from the video. It claims that the Cowboys, Eagles and Panthers use AA because all those cities are AA hubs. Who do the Dolphins use as a charter? MIA is a huge AA hub also and I am surprised they don't use A. Granted that could be because facilities the Dolphins use are actually much closer to FLL than MIA.
Does anyone know how to find what team uses what airline?

Last Year the Dolphins used 2 Miami Air International B738s. Not sure if it'll change this year.

The Steelers used two Miami Air 738s for all but two of their road games last season: Cleveland (bus) and Oakland (AA B763). I wouldn't be shocked if they had the same set-up this season (LL for most flights, AA or another carrier for flights to Arizona, San Francisco and LA).

As a point of reference, here's the 2018 NFL Charters thread. I don't know if the flight numbers will remain the same for UA/DL this season compared to last season, though:

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1400695

I’m assuming the Seattle Seahawks are with DL this year again?

PVDspotting wrote:

Last Year the Dolphins used 2 Miami Air International B738s. Not sure if it'll change this year.

wjcandee wrote:

Is any team using the VIP Atlas 747s this year?

Word is that the Dolphins have switched to an Atlas 747 this year.

superbizzy73 wrote:

I’m assuming the Seattle Seahawks are with DL this year again?

Seattle was pretty odd last year, they always flew an HA A332 with a DL flight number because of aircraft availability or something. I think a thread I made about this last year it was said they would be back with DL on 767s.

Are the Cardinals back with Atlas this year? It is awesome to see the 747 pull into Sky Harbor.

superbizzy73 wrote:

I’m assuming the Seattle Seahawks are with DL this year again?

Hawaiian Airlines will be flying the Seahawks again this year. Look for an HA A330 in MSP on 8/17 as the Seahawks will play the Vikings in Minneapolis.

jumpseat67 wrote:

United_fan wrote:

I wonder if the Bills will be using Atlas 767 and 747's this season?

The Bills are back with UA this season.

darn ..... seeing 747s on a weekly basis was nice! I am going to miss that. UA usually sends 757s or 767s.

KBUF wrote:

For anyone looking on Flightaware/FR24 for charters, keep in mind that there are 2 neutral-site preseason games this year:

Cowboys/Rams at HNL 8/17
Packers/Raiders at YWG 8/22

That preseason game at YEG is so strange, but hey, whatever.

At least the NFL isn't playing in Mexico this year. Those are tough charters to execute.

And yes, to answer the other question someone made, the NFL has a travel deal with VS for the LHR games, so even if a team has a charter contract with an airline, the London games are carve outs from that. They would fly their charter carrier if they opt for a second plans like friends and family sort of thing.

slider wrote:

At least the NFL isn't playing in Mexico this year.

Incorrect.

slider wrote:

KBUF wrote:

For anyone looking on Flightaware/FR24 for charters, keep in mind that there are 2 neutral-site preseason games this year:

Cowboys/Rams at HNL 8/17
Packers/Raiders at YWG 8/22

That preseason game at YEG is so strange, but hey, whatever.

At least the NFL isn't playing in Mexico this year. Those are tough charters to execute.

And yes, to answer the other question someone made, the NFL has a travel deal with VS for the LHR games, so even if a team has a charter contract with an airline, the London games are carve outs from that. They would fly their charter carrier if they opt for a second plans like friends and family sort of thing.

Although the Patriots are not playing in London this year but I wonder if they would be forced to use VS instead of taking their own when they do play. I definitely wouldn't mind seeing a VS bird at PVD lol.

PVDspotting wrote:

slider wrote:

KBUF wrote:

For anyone looking on Flightaware/FR24 for charters, keep in mind that there are 2 neutral-site preseason games this year:

Cowboys/Rams at HNL 8/17
Packers/Raiders at YWG 8/22

That preseason game at YEG is so strange, but hey, whatever.

At least the NFL isn't playing in Mexico this year. Those are tough charters to execute.

And yes, to answer the other question someone made, the NFL has a travel deal with VS for the LHR games, so even if a team has a charter contract with an airline, the London games are carve outs from that. They would fly their charter carrier if they opt for a second plans like friends and family sort of thing.

Although the Patriots are not playing in London this year but I wonder if they would be forced to use VS instead of taking their own when they do play. I definitely wouldn't mind seeing a VS bird at PVD lol.

This continues to be a fallacy--it's not their airplane. It's operated by Dynamic (I think that was the operator)...it's just painted in their colors. NFL rules would still apply for London.


Also, I saw Chiefs & Chargers in MEX. My bad.

The Patriots purchased two B767s and own them outright. https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2017/08/08/patriots-buy-their-own-planes/

The paint job was recently overhauled to add a 6th Lombardi Trophy to it.

HALFA wrote:

superbizzy73 wrote:

I’m assuming the Seattle Seahawks are with DL this year again?

Hawaiian Airlines will be flying the Seahawks again this year. Look for an HA A330 in MSP on 8/17 as the Seahawks will play the Vikings in Minneapolis.

I completely forgot they flew with HA last year. Thanks for the update.

styles9002 wrote:

The Patriots purchased two B767s and own them outright. https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2017/08/08/patriots-buy-their-own-planes/

The paint job was recently overhauled to add a 6th Lombardi Trophy to it.

The company that operates the Patriots 767s is Team 125 Inc.

ctrabs0114 wrote:

chidino wrote:

ctrabs0114 wrote:

Semi-related: Wendover Productions posted a YouTube video discussing the logistics of transporting an NFL team:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJ_LUFBSoqM

A lot of this is somewhat common knowledge among aviation enthusiasts, but this account has posted some interesting aviation related videos over the past few years.

Thank you for referencing that. I thought it a pretty good intro as well, surprisingly thorough for 14 min.

The Wendover YouTube page has typically produced some excellent videos explaining aspects of the aviation industry, which is great for those not as well versed in the field.

The channel has good production quality and bad fact checking. The guy does a 1 minute skim over some sources before putting together his script. A really big waste of time unless the viewer knows nothing about aviation. Perfect for the YouTube audience.

The Jaguars flew JAX-BWI yesterday on an Atlas Air 747, flight 5Y 8088.

ctrabs0114 wrote:

jumpseat67 wrote:

United_fan wrote:

I wonder if the Bills will be using Atlas 767 and 747's this season?

The Bills are back with UA this season.

I was under the impression that the Bills used DL for charters up until last season, when they used Atlas.

Atlas dropped the Bills. The Bills wanted 747s every week, however, they were only willing to pay for 767s. So Atlas said goodbye to them. However, Atlas picked up the Miami Dolphins this year. All Atlas NFL Charters this year are 747s, no more 767s due to teams not liking them.

Anyone know how the teams decide who gets the FC seats?

Carolina Panthers today

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/AAL9476

Cincinnati Bengals: 5Y2007 B762 https://flightaware.com/live/flight/GTI ... /KCVG/KMCI

Houston Texans: UA2536 B764 https://flightaware.com/live/flight/UAL ... /KIAH/KGRB

Indianapolis Colts: DL8865 B752 https://flightaware.com/live/flight/DAL ... /KIND/KBUF and DL8866 A320 https://flightaware.com/live/flight/DAL ... /KIND/KBUF

Jacksonville Jaguars: 5Y8088 B744 https://flightaware.com/live/flight/GTI ... /KJAX/KBWI

Los Angeles Chargers: 5Y8354 B744 https://flightaware.com/live/flight/GTI ... /KLAX/KPHX

Los Angeles Rams: UA2538 B764 https://flightaware.com/live/flight/UAL ... /KLAX/KOAK

Minnesota Vikings: DL8868 A321 https://flightaware.com/live/flight/DAL ... /KMSP/KMSY

Tennessee Titans: UA2542 B752 https://flightaware.com/live/flight/UAL ... /KBNA/KPHL

Washington NFL team: UA2533 B753 https://flightaware.com/live/flight/UAL ... /KRIC/KCAK

Any thoughts on the best suited aircraft for an NFL team? B767's? A330's? Dare I say B787's? Most teams use B757/A321's during the season. Some elect to have a larger plane during the preseason (more players). The B744 seems to be an overkill to me, with exception of maybe coast to coast flights, which most teams elect to have a larger aircraft for the extra room.

KBUF wrote:

Washington NFL team

Cowboys today

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/AAL9458

ctrabs0114 wrote:

chidino wrote:

jcwr56 wrote:

Wednesday October 3rd..
VS653 ORD-LHR A346 Chicago Bears to LHR

Is this a one-off, or is Virgin a sponsor of the London games? (just curious)

VS has always flown NFL teams to London for the games staged there, usually on an A340. The Bears typically fly UA for road games.

I wouldn't say always as NW used to fly teams over to London when they operated the 742 aircraft.

[quote="KBUF"]Cincinnati Bengals: 5Y2007 B762 https://flightaware.com/live/flight/GTI ... /KCVG/KMCI

That is a cargo flight. The Bengals are using DL:
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/DAL ... /KCVG/KMKC

styles9002 wrote:

The Patriots purchased two B767s and own them outright. https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2017/08/08/patriots-buy-their-own-planes/

The paint job was recently overhauled to add a 6th Lombardi Trophy to it.

I'm pretty sure they only own one of them now. The other one was retired for unknown reasons.

burnsie28 wrote:

ctrabs0114 wrote:

chidino wrote:

Is this a one-off, or is Virgin a sponsor of the London games? (just curious)

VS has always flown NFL teams to London for the games staged there, usually on an A340. The Bears typically fly UA for road games.

I wouldn't say always as NW used to fly teams over to London when they operated the 742 aircraft.

I think we are talking about at least within the last decade here now... VS seems to have the London game contract or something.

Buccaneers yesterday were on a DL A321 TPA-PIT.

https://www.flightradar24.com/data/flights/DL8870

Steelers flights on AA this year (all AA9443)...

9/21 - SFO (B763)
10/12 - LAX (B763)

Not confirmed yet, but my guess is 12/7 to PHX will also be a B763.