Professional sports franchises spend the vast majority of the competitive season on the road, traveling to venues across the United States. While most teams either have long-term leases, short-term charters, or relationships with carriers like Delta Air Lines or American Airlines, others own their own aircraft. In 2026, there are just a few teams known to keep their own jetliners.
The NBA is currently transitioning to a league-wide travel model using 13 customized VIP Airbus A321neo aircraft managed by Delta, though some teams still maintain dedicated jets. Let’s go down the list and review five pro teams with the ultimate private travel setup, from single-aisle to widebody jetliners.
Arizona Cardinals
Boeing 777
The Arizona Cardinals boast the most sophisticated and comprehensive private aviation program in professional sports. Not only has the National Football League franchise operated a widebody Boeing 777-200ER jetliner since 2021, but it has also gained multiple ‘triple seven’ jetliners under an affiliate dubbed’ Gridiron Air.’ The Cardinals have a primary team aircraft and ‘sister ships’ used for different logistical and commercial support purposes.
Managed by Cardinal’s owner, Michael Bidwill, Gridiron Air operates up to five Boeing 777s, with at least two in active service as of early 2026. The primary team jet has the tail number N777AZ and was first delivered to Delta Air Lines by Boeing in 2002. Other active registrations often cited include N860DA, N865DA, and N866DA. Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill said after buying the first jet in 2021:
“It is a major undertaking every time we travel for a game. This aircraft will not only provide major convenience but also maximum comfort for our players when getting them to and from road games. Every NFL team is looking for advantages whenever possible and we think this will certainly provide one.”
The main team aircraft is divided into four cabin zones, seating a total of 275 passengers. The aircraft has 28 lie-flat seats along with full in-flight entertainment and dining capabilities that rival those of any other charter aircraft in the world. In 2025, the team’s aviation program even dedicated one of the aircraft in its fleet that is configured in the same cabin layout as the team jet to an exclusive fan travel package that gave die-hards the opportunity to travel with the team on the road.
New England Patriots
Boeing 767
The New England Patriots may not have as large a program as the Cardinals, but they certainly beat them to the punch. The record-breaking NFL franchise is not only a regular Super Bowl champion, but also the first team to own its own jet when it purchased two 767-300ERs in 2017. Nicknamed ‘AirKraft,’ the team’s primary transport was one jet, while the other was a backup; they had the tail numbers N36NE and N225NE. One Mile At A Time reports that the backup was sold off in 2020.
Each aircraft is painted in team colors with a red, white, and blue livery sporting a Patriots logo emblazoned on the fuselage, as well as six Lombardi trophies adorning the tail. Reconfigured for professional athletes with an all-first-class layout. Seats are wider to accommodate linemen and feature roughly five inches of additional legroom compared to standard first-class seating. Since February 2024, the plane has been operated by Omni Air International under a long-term agreement.
The Patriots’ 767 is home-based at Rhode Island TF Green International Airport (PVD). When the team does not need these twin-aisle jetliners, they are leased to humanitarian and military charters. In January and February 2026, one of the Patriots-branded jets was used to transport US Marines and Navy sailors to Norway. The Military Times reported that the Marines flew in for Exercise Cold Response 26, a major NATO Arctic training mission.
The Houston Rockets
Boeing 767
The Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association have enjoyed a customized Boeing 767-300ER as the team’s aircraft every year since its purchase in 2019. N625HR is just over 33 years old and was first delivered to United Airlines in 1992. Entering full team service in early 2022, the widebody jet was specifically selected by owner Tilman Fertitta to provide superior comfort compared to narrowbody or smaller widebody jets.
In January 2026, the NBA announced the Rockets will travel to Macau this October for the NBA China Games 2026. The team will fly on its Boeing 767 to fly for preseason matchups against the Dallas Mavericks on October 9 and October 11, 2026. The plane is managed and operated by iAero Airways exclusively for the Rockets. Houston Rockets Alternate Governor Patrick Fertitta made this comment in the announcement of the team’s China trip:
“Since drafting Hall of Famer Yao Ming first overall in 2002, we have received overwhelming love from the passionate basketball fans of China and built several cherished memories playing overseas. We are excited to have another opportunity to represent the NBA abroad and showcase our team in front of the fans in Macao next preseason.”
The Houston Astros Major League Baseball team also uses the aircraft outside the NBA season, as the Fertitta family also owns the team. Management also holds charity events at the Landry’s Hangar, where the jet is showcased during fundraising events for the Clutch City Foundation under the ‘Rockets Runway’ campaign, as Paper City Mag writes.
Seahawks In The Super Bowl! What’s Your Favorite Sports-Themed Aircraft Livery?
The NFL’s Seattle Seahawks recently qualified for the Super Bowl. As pictured, the last time this happened, Boeing did something very special and painted a 747-8F in the colors of the Seattle-based team.
However, this is not the only time a plane has been decked in sports-themed colors, so which is your favorite example from years gone by? Have you ever seen such a livery in person? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments!
This is user-generated content. The views and opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of Simple Flying.
Dallas Mavericks
Boeing 757
Former majority owner Mark Cuban’s Boeing 757-200 underwent an extensive VIP retrofit program toward the end of 2025 to become the new team aircraft for the Mavericks as they prepared for a busy 2026 NBA season. Registered as N801DM, the plane has been nicknamed ‘Mavs 1’ since completing a total interior redesign and heavy maintenance overhaul.
The refurbished cabin is divided into specialized sections to maximize player recovery and staff productivity. The new layout features higher ceilings and reconfigured storage closets, while the upholstery has been team-branded with leather seats and other luxurious touches. New technology inside the plane offers touchscreens at every seat, with 4K high-resolution monitors and state-of-the-art high-speed WiFi.
As the owner of the Mavericks, Mark Cuban dedicated this 757 specifically to his team’s needs. Building on the baseline improvements, the unique jet takes it a step further, featuring an onboard weight room and medical treatment space as well as conference rooms to maximize player performance and facilitate coaching needs.
Cuban is an aviation aficionado, with his first foray into luxury air travel being the purchase of an AAirpass, which included unlimited first-class travel for life. He eventually handed this pass down to his father and, later, to a friend after acquiring his private fleet. The most expensive jet in his collection today was a Boeing 767-200, which he has since sold.
For his personal use, Cuban now relies on a Bombardier Global 6000. Before purchasing this business jet in 2018, he set a Guinness World Record in 1999 for the largest e-commerce transaction when he bought a Gulfstream V for $40 million via email without personally inspecting the jet, according to Yahoo Finance.
Impressive: NBC Sportscaster Flies 10 Hours In Private Jet From The Super Bowl To The Olympics
A Bombardier Global 7500 is behind this impressive story.
Detroit Tigers
Boeing 737
The Tigers are the only MLB team with their own private jet. The franchise shares the privately owned 737-800 with the Detroit Red Wings National Hockey League team that is also owned by the Illitch family. N313TR was dubbed ‘Red Bird III’ after replacing an aging McDonnell Douglas MD-81 in early 2024. Flown as the team jet between 2011 and 2024, the ‘Mad Dog’ was famously one of the oldest examples of the MD-80 series still flying at the time.
The jet was retrofitted with an all-VIP layout to accommodate 70 to 80 players, coaches, and support staff in a business class style that includes lie-flat seating. The aircraft is operated by Olympia Aviation, a subsidiary of Ilitch Sports and Entertainment. The dedicated jet allows for nonstop transcontinental flights, more cargo space for equipment, and enhances player recovery through specialized seating and meal service.
The Tigers’ aircraft is a little under 16 years old, having been delivered for the first time in late 2008. Over the years, the aircraft has had a number of owners, starting with Linhas Aereas. Later, Miami Air International operated the plane in the 2010s until Fly 737 800 II LLC, associated with Olympia Aviation, acquired the aircraft when Miami Air suspended operations. As the MLB and NHL seasons have significant overlap in the spring and fall, the plane manages to accommodate both teams’ schedules.
When a conflict occurs, one team typically uses a standard charter through an airline like Delta. The Tigers are currently using the jet for travel between their Spring Training home at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Florida, and other away venues. As part of their 2026 spring preparations, the team will travel to the Dominican Republic on March 3–4, 2026, to play two exhibition games against the Dominican national team.
