The National Basketball Association (NBA) is the largest and most-viewed basketball league in the world. The league dates back to 1946, when it was founded as the Basketball Association of America (BAA). Since then, the team has grown to include 30 different teams across North America, including the Toronto Raptors, located in Canada. The remaining 29 teams are spread throughout the United States. The NBA is one of the most popular sports leagues in the world, as it made over $11.3 billion during the 2023-2024 season. It also averages over 1.5 million viewers per game throughout the season.
Boeing Logo
Boeing
Stock Code
BA
Business Type
Planemaker
Date Founded
July 15, 1916
CEO
Kelly Ortberg
As the league is spread out across North America, it makes sense that many NBA teams own and operate their own business jets. Some of these aircraft are utilized for charter purposes, flying the team and team personnel around the continent for various games. However, several NBA teams own smaller private jets that are used by the executive office of the team. Let's take a closer look at some of the unique private jets that have been utilized by NBA teams across North America.
What Private Jet Do The Dallas Mavericks Fly?
Ken Fielding | Wikimedia Commons<\/a>""> Photo: Ken Fielding | Wikimedia Commons
Currently, the Dallas Mavericks fly on a Boeing 757-200 registered as N801DM. According to FlightAware, the aircraft is registered with DSG Aviation II LLC, a Las Vegas, Nevada-based aircraft leasing company. The aircraft was first built in August 1993, making the aircraft nearly 32 years old, and it has a serial number of 26240. According to ch-aviation, the aircraft was first delivered to Iberia, a Spanish airline. After a few years of operating with Iberia, the Boeing 757 was transferred to Pace Airlines, a North Carolina-based charter company, in 2000. However, Pace Airlines ceased operations in 2009, and Elan Express, another private jet charter company, took control of the aircraft. Parallel Express was the final operator before the Dallas Mavericks, after it took control of the aircraft in 2013.
The Dallas Mavericks use this widebody jet for its seasonal transportation. According to ch-aviation, this private jet is configured to seat approximately 63 passengers in a business-class arrangement. This makes sense for a small basketball team, coaches, and training staff. The aircraft also features the Dallas Mavericks logo on its tail with its new custom livery.
What Private Jet Do The Los Angeles Lakers Fly?
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The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the most historical franchises in the NBA, so it makes sense that the team's front office operates a private jet. Currently, the team's owner, Jeanie Buss, flies a Gulfstream G550. Buss frequently flies this aircraft for executive operations, although it is sometimes used to transport players of the Lakers to games or other events. According to Amalfi Jets, the aircraft features a customized interior designed for players of NBA-caliber height. This aircraft was first acquired by Buss in 2017.The Gulfstream G550 is a popular private jet for wealthy travelers. Gulfstream first began developing this aircraft as an upgrade to the Gulfstream V in the early 2000s. The Savannah, Georgia-based company wanted to increase the Gulfstream V's range, top speed, and also upgrade the avionics and engines. The first prototype conducted its first flight in August 2001. It was later certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and introduced in 2004. Overall, the Gulfstream G550 has the following performance specifications:
Maximum capacity
Length
Height
Wingspan
Maximum takeoff weight (MTOW)
Range
Maximum speed
Service ceiling
The Gulfstream G550 featured many drag-reduction details to help boost fuel efficiency and range compared to the Gulfstream V. The entry door was also moved two feet forward, making room for a seventh pair of windows and also increasing its usable cabin length. The Gulfstream G550 features the Honeywell Primus Epic avionics system, which features a heads-up guidance system and an enhanced vision system.
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What Private Jet Do The Houston Rockets Fly?
Houston Rockets 767
Photo: Rockets Wire
The Houston Rockets are another popular NBA team that operates a private jet. This aircraft, a Boeing 767-322ER, is registered as N625HR. According to FlightAware, this aircraft was first produced by Boeing in September 1992, making it over thirty years old, and has a serial number of 25287. Currently, this aircraft is operated by Ascend Jet Travel, a Houston, Texas-based charter provider. According to ch-aviation, this aircraft has been operated by several different airlines over its 32 years of existence. The aircraft was first delivered to United Airlines, which operated the aircraft until November 2005. OceanAir operated the aircraft next until February 2009. OceanAir was later acquired by Avianca Airlines, which flew this aircraft in various business segments until March 2012. Asia Atlantic Airlines acquired the aircraft in July 2013 and operated it until the charter company ceased operations in 2018. Landry's and iAero Airways also operated the aircraft for brief stints until the aircraft was acquired by Ascend Jet Travel in April 2024.
The widebody Boeing 767 has a unique interior that is configured to fit up to 92 passengers. The main cabin of the aircraft is fitted with six-abreast leather recliners. These large seats allow ample space for the tall NBA players on the Houston Rockets. On the sides, sofas can occasionally be found, and the rows of recliners are replaced in some sections by lie-flat seats.
What Private Jet Do The Cleveland Cavaliers Fly?
Boeing BBJ 737 MAX 7
Image: Boeing
The Cleveland Cavaliers also previously operated a converted airliner as a private jet. This aircraft, a Boeing 737-200 , was registered as N583CC. According to FlightAware, this aircraft was built by Boeing in May 1975 and has a serial number of 21069.
According to ch-aviation, this aircraft was first delivered to Frontier Airlines. Other operators of the airline include:
Operator Dates of operation
Frontier Airlines 1975-1985
Continental Airlines 1986-1998
Southwest Airlines 1987-1988
Pace Airlines 2000-2011
However, in 2006, Gund Sports Marketing LLC, which is based in Cleveland, Ohio, began operating the aircraft for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Later that year, Cavaliers Sports Marketing LLC took control of the aircraft. The Cavaliers continued to fly this Boeing 737 throughout the 2000s. In 2011, the aircraft was sold off to OH Capital Assets Incorporated. According to ch-aviation, this aircraft was officially scrapped in October 2015 at Smith Reynolds Airport (INT) in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Why Do More NBA Teams Not Own Private Jets?
Delta 757 shutterstock_2558516719-1
Photo: Karolis Kavolelis | Shutterstock
Not many NBA teams own their own private jet. Typically, NBA teams rely on chartered flights to transport their players and personnel around North America for games throughout the season. Additionally, NBA teams are responsible for transporting equipment and other support staff members. Because of this, NBA teams opt for chartered flights onboard commercial airliners.
Currently, NBA executives have negotiated a contract that allows for the charter of airplanes through Delta Air Lines. The Atlanta, Georgia-based airline currently serves as many as 27 of the 30 NBA teams, with the majority of these teams utilizing Boeing 757s. This widebody provides enough room for equipment, players, and other team personnel. The Boeing 757 has the following performance specifications:
Length 155 feet three inches
Height 44 feet six inches
Wingspan 124 feet ten inches
Maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) 255,000 pounds
Typical speed 461 knots (531 miles per hour)
Range 3,915 nautical miles (4,505 miles)
The Boeing 757s that are chartered by NBA teams are configured to fit up to 72 passengers in a business-class configuration. These VIP-configured Boeing 757s flown by Delta Air Lines include custom lie-flat beds, humidifiers, and adjustable lighting, which may help reduce travel fatigue.
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The Future Of Transportation In The NBA
A321neo MSN6673 taking off_CE-AC-877-016-1
Photo: Airbus
Although the NBA has seen success with chartering Boeing 757s, the NBA revealed last year that it has plans to lease 13 Airbus A321neos. These narrowbody commercial airliners will be converted to executive transport business jets, which will be able to fit the entirety of an NBA team roster and staff in a comfortable setting.On Friday, September 13th, 2024, the NBA revealed it would lease 13 new aircraft that will be customized into business jets. These aircraft will be leased by SMBC Aviation Capital. Like the Boeing 757s, it is most likely that these aircraft will be operated by Delta Air Lines. Like the currently chartered aircraft, these aircraft will most likely be heavily customized and converted into Airbus Corporate Jets (ACJ) variants.
The Airbus A321neo is a popular narrowbody offering. The A321neo was first developed in the early 2010s as an upgrade to the A321ceo. In a highly dense configuration, the A321neo can fit up to 244 passengers, although the NBA's aircraft will fit significantly fewer seats in a business-class configuration.