NBA to Lease 13 VIP A321neo and Will be Operated by Delta Air Lines

NEW YORK- The National Basketball Association (NBA) is preparing to lease 13 customized VIP Airbus A321neo aircraft for team transportation between games. SMBC Aviation Capital, an Irish aircraft lessor, is expected to provide the aircraft to the NBA.

Delta Air Lines (DL), historically the primary carrier for NBA flights and charters, is anticipated to operate the new fleet.

Photo: Airbus

NBA to Lease A321neo

Comlux has secured the contract to outfit the VIP interiors at its Indianapolis facility.

The NBA has determined that these 13 aircraft can efficiently transport its 30 teams, with plans to potentially expand the fleet as the league considers adding two more teams in the future, Corporate Jet Investor reported.

Each NBA team roster is limited to 18 players. The A321neos will accommodate players, coaches, staff, and substantial equipment. A standard Airbus A321 configuration can seat up to 244 passengers in economy class.

Player welfare is cited as the primary motivation behind the NBA’s decision to invest in this custom fleet. The aircraft will feature lie-flat beds and humidifiers to enhance travel comfort, a crucial consideration given that the average NBA player height in the 2023/2024 season was 6 feet 6.74 inches (2 meters).

Photo: Erik Drost | Flickr

Tight Match Schedule

NBA is set to revolutionize team travel with a fleet of 13 customized Airbus A321neo aircraft. This decision comes as NBA teams face a grueling schedule of 82 games between October and April, with half played away from home.

NBA data from 2018 revealed that basketball players spend more time flying than athletes in other U.S. sports.

Research has shown that even flights under six hours can negatively impact player performance and increase injury risk. Studies indicate that 54% of NBA injuries occur during away games.

Teams traveling westward tend to lose more games compared to eastward travel, highlighting the impact of travel on game outcomes.

The A321neo aircraft offers features designed to mitigate these challenges. Airbus claims the plane’s customizable lighting can reduce jet lag, while its cabin altitude of less than 6,000 feet (1,828 meters) when cruising at 30,000 feet may improve player comfort.

The aircraft also boasts a spacious 1,826 cubic foot (51.70 cubic meters) cargo hold to accommodate team equipment.

This move builds on a trend that began in the 1987 season when the Detroit Pistons started chartering aircraft for all away games. Several NBA teams, including the LA Lakers, Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, and Cleveland Cavaliers, already operate dedicated aircraft.

The concept of specialized aircraft for sports teams gained traction in 2014 when Nike and design company Teague unveiled a business jet interior concept called “Home-Team Advantage at 40,000 ft,” specifically targeting NBA teams.

Industry insiders suggest that this initiative could inspire similar arrangements in other sports leagues, such as the National Football League (NFL) and Major League Soccer.

The NBA’s investment in this custom fleet underscores the growing recognition of travel’s impact on athlete performance and well-being in professional sports.

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