Do NBA teams fly on private planes?
With a hectic schedule that sees teams traveling from coast to coast, it might surprise you to know how teams get around in the NBA. Let’s take a look.
Though there is no set rule as to how teams in the NBA travel around the nation during the season, it is interesting to note that some do in fact prefer the use of private planes rather than commercial airlines on which they must interact with other passengers.
What NBA teams have private planes?
To be clear, the ownership of private planes is actually not very common in the NBA. Indeed, most teams normally opt to charter private planes or rely on the use of commercial airlines to transport their players, coaches, and staff to games and events. To that end, it remains unclear as to how many teams own their own private planes, however, there are a handful that we can confirm.
Los Angeles Lakers
In truth, this should come as no surprise. With 17 championships - an NBA record - and a slew of iconic players who have graced their roster, the Lakers are one of the most recognizable sports franchises on the planet, far less the NBA. From Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, to Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, and of course, LeBron James, the Lakers are as star-studded as they come. With that in mind, the team has in fact had the use of a private plane in the past. Today, it appears to be a mixture of chartered private planes and commercial flights that the team uses, while James reportedly owns a Gulfstream on which he often travels separately from the team.
Boston Celtics
As the joint holder of that above-mentioned NBA record, you can probably guess that the Celtics, like the Lakers, have the use of their very own plane. Unveiled in 2016, the Celtics’ customized Airbus A320, is named “Lucky Blue” and features the team’s iconic green color and Lucky the Leprechaun logo. Interestingly, the plane is the product of a business partnership between JetBlue and the Celtics and reportedly measures 123 feet 3 inches with a wingspan of 117 feet 5 inches.
Dallas Mavericks
While the team may not have the same prestigious history as the two above, the Mavericks do in fact have their very own plane. The result of owner Mark Cuban’s heavy investment, the Mavericks are known to travel in style on a customized Boeing 767-277. Among the various luxurious attributes of the aircraft are ample legroom, stylish interiors, comfortable seats, and a range of features, making it one of the most impressive private planes in professional used in professional sports today.