Airline of Sports Teams
Jun 14, 2000, 10:00 am
#1
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Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Fresno, CA
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Airline of Sports Teams
Just finished watching the Lakers game, and just started wondering if anyone knew whether they or any other sports team had an exclusive airline that they always use, or do they just charter a plane?
I know I've see an AmericaWest plane painted with the Phoenix Suns logo, but I don't know if they actually use that plane.
By the way, quite a game, huh?
I know I've see an AmericaWest plane painted with the Phoenix Suns logo, but I don't know if they actually use that plane.
By the way, quite a game, huh?
Jun 14, 2000, 10:01 am
#2
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Most NBA teams have private jets at their disposal. The paper I work for did a feature about it quite a few years ago, and at the time only the dregs of the league (Denver, Dallas, New Jersey) were still using charter or commercial flights. All 29 teams now use private transportation.
The Suns logo on the tail of an America West jet probably has more to do with HP's sponsorship of the venue, similar to Delta's sponsorship of Utah's Delta Center, United's of the Bulls' ... etc.
Personally, I miss the arena names of yore: the Great Salt Palace, the (old) Boston Garden and (Portland's) venerable Memorial Coliseum.
[This message has been edited by essxjay (edited 06-14-2000).]
The Suns logo on the tail of an America West jet probably has more to do with HP's sponsorship of the venue, similar to Delta's sponsorship of Utah's Delta Center, United's of the Bulls' ... etc.
Personally, I miss the arena names of yore: the Great Salt Palace, the (old) Boston Garden and (Portland's) venerable Memorial Coliseum.
[This message has been edited by essxjay (edited 06-14-2000).]
Jun 14, 2000, 10:10 am
#3
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Join Date: May 1998
Location: Los Angeles, CA
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essxjay is correct. The Sun's logo in on a number of America West planes and is due the sponsorship of the arena. The Lakers have chartered jet. I believe the NBA runs a pool of the things for all the teams.
Jun 14, 2000, 10:11 am
#4
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Swissair is the official airline of the Swiss National skiing team (men and women). The ski-racers even wear a race-dress with Swissair-motives all-over.
And Swissair is also the official carrier for[*]Martina Hingis (world-nr 1 in women-tennis)[*]the Swiss National soccer team (men)[*]the Swiss National ice-hockey-team (ranked nr 5 at this years- ice-hocke-world-championships)[*]the Swiss Olympia-team selection (Sydney 2000)
And Swissair is also the official carrier for[*]Martina Hingis (world-nr 1 in women-tennis)[*]the Swiss National soccer team (men)[*]the Swiss National ice-hockey-team (ranked nr 5 at this years- ice-hocke-world-championships)[*]the Swiss Olympia-team selection (Sydney 2000)
Jun 14, 2000, 10:11 am
#5
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: Phoenix, AZ USA
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A few years ago, returning to Phoenix from Ontario, a change of equipment took place and the B737 used as the Phoenix Suns airplane arrived to take us back to Phoenix.
The airplane was configured with 2x2 F/C seats through the first two-thirds of the cabin with the remaining seats in the rear configured in the standard 3x3 configuration.
Was a nice ride for a short flight. Don't know if the same relationship still exists with the Suns
The airplane was configured with 2x2 F/C seats through the first two-thirds of the cabin with the remaining seats in the rear configured in the standard 3x3 configuration.
Was a nice ride for a short flight. Don't know if the same relationship still exists with the Suns
Jun 14, 2000, 10:12 am
#7
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: Austin
Posts: 59
I remember many years ago the Dodgers had a private 707 - they were probably the only team at the time to have their own plane (obviously this was during the 70s).
I saw a Bac 1-11 belonging to the Seattle Sonics in Orlando a couple of years ago - when was the last time anybody flew one of them?
I saw a Bac 1-11 belonging to the Seattle Sonics in Orlando a couple of years ago - when was the last time anybody flew one of them?
Jun 14, 2000, 10:12 am
#8
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I may have been slightly off when I said private transportation in my previous post. I should have said chartered. It's private, but not in service exclusively to an NBA team. However, some teams have their own jets (fat lot of good it's doing Paul Allen right now ...) 
But as far as I know, the league doesn't operate a pool of jets. It's a franchise responsibility to provide transportation for the team.
[This message has been edited by essxjay (edited 06-14-2000).]
But as far as I know, the league doesn't operate a pool of jets. It's a franchise responsibility to provide transportation for the team.
[This message has been edited by essxjay (edited 06-14-2000).]
Jun 14, 2000, 10:13 am
#9
Join Date: Apr 1999
Posts: 3,709
It's been a while, so things may have changed, but after the plane touches down, the players of NBA, NFL, NHL and MLB all head to Marriott properties.
I don't know if that exclusive contract has since expired.
I'd imagine this is lucrative business. You have millionaires staying in your hotel, ordering room service so they don't get hassled by the unwashed masses who pay their astronomical salaries.
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"I will not be pushed, filed, stamped, indexed, briefed, debriefed or numbered. My life is my own."
I don't know if that exclusive contract has since expired.
I'd imagine this is lucrative business. You have millionaires staying in your hotel, ordering room service so they don't get hassled by the unwashed masses who pay their astronomical salaries.
------------------
"I will not be pushed, filed, stamped, indexed, briefed, debriefed or numbered. My life is my own."
Jun 15, 2000, 12:49 pm
#12
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Sweden
Posts: 5,645
Isnt the NY Islanders the only team in the NHL who is still flying with "regulars" airlines? Atleast thats what I have heard.
Speaking of the Olympics its TG who has got the pleasure to take the Swedish team down under.
Speaking of the Olympics its TG who has got the pleasure to take the Swedish team down under.
Jun 15, 2000, 12:56 pm
#14
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Posts: 46,817
The Bulls stay/stayed at the Plaza in NYC- but this may well have been a Phil Jackson or whatever/whoever thing. It was felt that they should pick the place(s) and that they were deserving!
Which came first, the "rings" or the "nice hotels?"
As I noted the Orioles were recently booted from the Grand Hyatt in NY! Poor choice!
There are many exceptions!
Which came first, the "rings" or the "nice hotels?"
As I noted the Orioles were recently booted from the Grand Hyatt in NY! Poor choice!
There are many exceptions!