Patriots become first NFL team to buy its own planes
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The New England Patriots will be traveling in style this season.
It was reported yesterday by ESPN’s Darren Rovell that the Patriots are the first team in the NFL to buy their own planes to take to games.
The organization recently bought two 767 Boeing wide-body jets this offseason. The planes are filled with all first-class seating, and at least one of them is decked out in the Patriots logo along with five Lombardi trophies on the tail.
Because the cost of charter travel has gotten more expensive over the past couple of years, this move might save the Patriots some money over the long haul. Major carriers have started to retire the bigger planes that fly the teams around because they have to be stripped and reworked to meet Federal Aviation Administration requirements. For 10 round trip flights season, the costs of charter flights can be up to $4 million.
The planes that New England bought typically cost between $5 million and $65 million used, while a brand-new plane could cost $200 million. The Patriots’ planes are extended range, meaning that they can fly nonstop for about 12 hours.
Flight operations will be run out of Providence, Rhode Island with one plane being used as the main transportation for the season and the other used as a backup. When the Patriots’ planes are not in use during the season, they will be available to be rented out. Details on the costs of renting are unknown at this time.
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