San Francisco 49ers Don't Take United to Super Bowl
Jan 28, 2013, 7:44 am
#1
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San Francisco 49ers Don't Take United to Super Bowl
I thought the SFO team would take a SFO airline. But instead they chartered a Delta 747. I saw the arrival on TV and it was a DL plane:
"The seats weren't normal seats. Instead of booking their usual 757 airplane for a Delta charter flight to the Super Bowl, the 49ers upgraded and took a 747 normally used for international trips such as their journey to London in 2010. Thus, the plane featured roughly 30 adjustable seats that folded back like beds, each in its own mini-cubicle. The Big Easy Chairs?"
http://www.mercurynews.com/mark-purd...-at-super-bowl
"The seats weren't normal seats. Instead of booking their usual 757 airplane for a Delta charter flight to the Super Bowl, the 49ers upgraded and took a 747 normally used for international trips such as their journey to London in 2010. Thus, the plane featured roughly 30 adjustable seats that folded back like beds, each in its own mini-cubicle. The Big Easy Chairs?"
http://www.mercurynews.com/mark-purd...-at-super-bowl
Last edited by FlyinHawaiian; Jan 28, 2013 at 8:14 am Reason: inflammatory comment removed to avoid thread pollution and forum disruption.
Jan 28, 2013, 7:49 am
#2
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My folks are going to be on the Niners junket plane, I'll report back on that one. Q400ER? 
Jan 28, 2013, 7:52 am
#3
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I lived in New Orleans for 12 years; don't recall ever seeing a 747 at MSY.
Jan 28, 2013, 7:55 am
#4
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"The seats weren't normal seats. Instead of booking their usual 757 airplane for a Delta charter flight to the Super Bowl, the 49ers upgraded and took a 747 normally used for international trips such as their journey to London in 2010. Thus, the plane featured roughly 30 adjustable seats that folded back like beds, each in its own mini-cubicle. The Big Easy Chairs?"
Jan 28, 2013, 7:57 am
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The 49ers must have been concerned that in the event of IRROPS on United, they'd never make it to New Orleans in time for the game.
However, thanks to the new policy as of Jan 2013, they could've been rebooked on Delta anyway!
However, thanks to the new policy as of Jan 2013, they could've been rebooked on Delta anyway!
Jan 28, 2013, 8:03 am
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They always charter Delta... they just got an 'upgraded' plane this time around.
Delta seems to have a lot of the professional sports team charter business, they even have a fleet just for that purpose (I think it's primarily for the NBA though)
Delta seems to have a lot of the professional sports team charter business, they even have a fleet just for that purpose (I think it's primarily for the NBA though)
Jan 28, 2013, 8:08 am
#7
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NFL charter contracts differ from team marketing agreements and are not done on a 'one-off' basis. UA and DL compete vigorously for NFL contracts. Delta won the 49ers charter contract this year, and the team has actually been using a DL 763ER most of the season. I believe DL has 15 of the NFL contracts and UA has 12 teams this season.
Interestingly, Delta's all-F A319 is scheduled to operate a revenue LGA-MSY and return for the Super Bowl this week.
Interestingly, Delta's all-F A319 is scheduled to operate a revenue LGA-MSY and return for the Super Bowl this week.
Jan 28, 2013, 8:14 am
#8
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NFL charter contracts differ from team marketing agreements and are not done on a 'one-off' basis. UA and DL compete vigorously for NFL contracts. Delta won the 49ers charter contract this year, and the team has actually been using a DL 763ER most of the season. I believe DL has 15 of the NFL contracts and UA has 12 teams this season..
Seems like blatant hyperbole to me - you could have written this thread a few days before each and every away game for San Francisco in the last season, United didn't win the contract so, by definition they wouldn't be transporting the team for any of their games.
Jan 28, 2013, 8:25 am
#9
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Correct. My brother (DL 767/757 Captain) has flown many sports charters over the years.
Jan 28, 2013, 8:27 am
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Jan 28, 2013, 9:19 am
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Delta has a large sports charter business per the WSJ:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...126494236.html
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...126494236.html
Jan 28, 2013, 10:17 am
#12
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When DL transports the losing SF team back on Monday, will that be the harbinger of DLs 2013 financials???
(flame suit on....)
(flame suit on....)
Jan 28, 2013, 10:18 am
#13
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I heard the 49ers arrived yesterday so I checked flight aware to find the charter and saw the DL 747. I am surprised UA is not adding any extra SFO-MSY flights say Friday, just shows the 1 Airbus flight. Note the Lions fly UA even know DTW is a DL hub.
Jan 28, 2013, 10:31 am
#15
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Barring a contractual obligation related to advertising, no sports team really cares whether or not the airline they fly in the "hometown" airline. They bid out their needs and get what they feel the best price/service/comfort, etc.