Inside the Journey: How NFL Teams Travel for Games

By Jessica WrightLast Updated August 1, 2025

Introduction: The Complex World of NFL Team Travel

Professional football is as much about preparation off the field as it is about performance on it. One of the vital, but often overlooked, aspects is how NFL teams travel across the country every week of the season. With large rosters, staff, and specialized equipment, NFL teams require tailored travel arrangements that balance efficiency, comfort, security, and cost. This article delves into the logistics, real-world practices, and options available to NFL franchises as they journey to away games.

Charter Flights: The Standard for NFL Travel

The vast majority of NFL teams travel by chartered aircraft . Unlike commercial flights, chartering an entire plane allows teams to control the schedule, customize the onboard experience, and ensure privacy and security. These flights are typically arranged with major U.S. airlines-most commonly United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and American Airlines-each of which maintains specialized services for sports charters. During the 2024-25 season, United Airlines led the league in NFL charters, using widebody jets such as the Boeing 767, 787 Dreamliner, and 777 to accommodate teams and their equipment [4] .

Charter aircraft are often configured with fewer seats than their commercial counterparts, maximizing legroom and comfort for players. First-class and business-class seats are typically assigned to veteran players and key staff, while extra amenities-such as premium meals, recovery equipment, and entertainment-are standard. Medical personnel, nutritionists, trainers, and even chefs may travel with the team to ensure players remain in peak condition before and after games [3] .

Private Jets: The Exception, Not the Rule

Contrary to popular belief, most NFL teams do not own private jets . Only two franchises-the New England Patriots and the Arizona Cardinals-own and operate their own widebody aircraft. The Patriots purchased two Boeing 767-300ER jets in 2017, which are leased and operated through a partnership with a private flight provider. The Cardinals, meanwhile, use a customized Boeing 777-200ER, equipped with lie-flat seats, extra-wide aisles, and on-board medical stations. These planes are tailored for comfort and recovery, enabling teams to travel long distances with minimal impact on player readiness [2] .

Despite the luxury and flexibility of private ownership, this is a rare model due to the high costs and logistical complexity. Most teams find that charter partnerships with major airlines offer a better balance of cost, availability, and service, especially when considering the infrequency of travel needs in the short NFL season.

Ground Transportation: Buses, Security, and Local Logistics

Once teams arrive at their destination city, luxury motorcoaches provide ground transportation from airports to hotels, stadiums, and practice facilities. These buses are often equipped with amenities like reclining seats, entertainment systems, and onboard restrooms. Security is a high priority: teams often travel with police escorts to ensure safe and timely passage through city traffic, particularly when navigating busy urban areas on game day [3] .

Coordinating ground transport requires collaboration between team operations staff, local law enforcement, hotels, and stadium officials. Teams may deploy advance staff to scout locations, prepare for arrivals, and oversee logistics. For fans interested in the behind-the-scenes work, you can follow official team social media channels or visit the news sections of team websites for travel updates and features about the logistics staff and their roles.

Special Cases: Training Camps and Joint Practices

Travel is not limited to the regular season. During the preseason, teams often relocate to training camp facilities away from their home base. For example, the Dallas Cowboys traditionally hold camp in Oxnard, California, while the Buffalo Bills train in Rochester, New York. Some teams participate in joint practices, requiring additional travel between facilities [5] .

For these moves, teams may use a mix of charter flights and ground transportation, depending on distance and group size. The same attention to comfort, security, and efficiency applies, but logistics can be more complex due to larger groups-including rookies, tryout players, and expanded coaching staffs-and the need to transport substantial training equipment.

Challenges and Solutions in NFL Team Travel

Traveling as a large group presents unique challenges , including:

Coordinating schedules for over 100 people, including players, coaches, support staff, and sometimes media
Transporting bulky and sensitive equipment
Ensuring privacy and security amid public interest
Maintaining player comfort and readiness, especially on long trips or with quick turnarounds

Teams address these challenges by working with experienced travel coordinators, utilizing advanced planning, and relying on partnerships with airlines and transport companies experienced in handling high-profile clients. Medical readiness is prioritized, with trainers often setting up mobile treatment areas on planes and buses. Nutrition is also managed, with chefs or catering staff ensuring meals meet strict dietary requirements.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, teams implemented additional protocols, such as using multiple planes to enable social distancing, as seen with the Kansas City Chiefs’ travel to the Super Bowl in 2021 [1] . Flexibility and adaptability remain essential in responding to changing circumstances, from weather delays to public health emergencies.

Step-by-Step: How NFL Teams Arrange Travel

Advance Planning: Team operations staff begin planning travel months before the season starts, booking charters and reserving hotel blocks as soon as schedules are released.
Coordination with Airlines: Teams work directly with airline charter departments to select aircraft types, customize seat maps, and arrange special services such as pre-game meals or recovery stations.
Equipment Logistics: Specialized shipping teams manage the packing and transport of uniforms, medical equipment, and technology. Equipment often travels on the same flight or on dedicated cargo planes if needed.
Itinerary Management: Operations directors distribute detailed itineraries covering each phase of the trip, from airport check-in to return arrival, including contingency plans for delays or emergencies.
On-the-Ground Logistics: Local transportation, security escorts, and hotel check-ins are coordinated with precision. Teams often designate a “travel captain” to oversee the process and troubleshoot issues as they arise.

Fans curious about the process can gain additional insight by visiting official NFL team websites or searching for “NFL team travel behind the scenes” on major sports news sites.

Alternatives and Innovations in Team Travel

While the current model of chartered flights and luxury ground transport is standard, some teams periodically explore innovative approaches . Charter providers are now offering aircraft with advanced air filtration, enhanced connectivity, and recovery-focused amenities. Teams may also partner with wellness companies to provide in-transit recovery tools, such as massage tables or cryotherapy chambers.

For teams without private jets, negotiating favorable terms with airlines is an ongoing process, especially as the commercial aviation landscape changes. In rare instances, teams may use commercial flights for small groups-such as scouts or front office staff-but this is increasingly uncommon due to security concerns and the need for flexibility.

How to Learn More or Experience NFL Travel

If you want to learn more about NFL team travel arrangements, consider the following steps:

Visit official airline websites (United, Delta, American Airlines) for information about their charter services. Search for “sports team charters” on each site for details about amenities and booking processes.
Follow your favorite NFL team’s official website and social media channels for behind-the-scenes travel features and updates.
Look for in-depth coverage on major sports news sites, such as The Points Guy, AeroXplorer, and Simple Flying, which regularly publish articles on NFL travel logistics.
For training camp travel details, visit the NFL’s official operations site and search for “training camp information.” This provides updates on locations, dates, and logistics for each preseason.

If you are part of a school, club, or organization seeking to arrange charter travel for sports teams, contact major airlines’ charter departments directly or work with reputable sports travel agencies specializing in group logistics. Always verify company credentials and request references before booking large group travel services.

Conclusion: The Art and Science of NFL Team Travel

Traveling as an NFL team is a complex, highly coordinated process that combines luxury, logistics, and security. While most teams rely on chartered flights and luxury buses, a select few operate private jets outfitted for maximum comfort and performance. As travel needs evolve, so too do the solutions-ensuring players arrive ready to compete at the highest level each week.