All you need to know about NBA's reported deal for 13 luxurious VIP Airbus aircrafts: Features, price, capacity and more
In a bid to enhance working conditions for players in the league, the NBA is reportedly working to lease 13 VIP Airbus A321neo aircrafts to provide team travel between home & away games. As per Alasdair Whyte of Corporate Jet Investor, the move is reportedly an effort to reduce travel fatigue and improve the performance of players in the league.
According to Preston Holland, the COO of FLYING Finance, each VIP Airbus A321neo aircraft costs $100 million. They will be fitted with custom features and will reportedly be leased through SMBC Aviation Capital. The jets are expected to be operated by the NBA's long-time partner, Delta Airlines.
In efforts to help reduce player fatigue and improve performance, the planes will reportedly feature custom lie-flat beds and humidifiers along with adjustable lighting that Airbus claims can reduce jetlag. The planes are also reported to feature a cabin altitude equivalent or less than 6,000 feet when flying at 30,000 feet.
According to the company's website, an Airbus A321neo can fit upto 244 passengers in “a higher-density arrangement”. However, the planes to be leased by the NBA will be custom-fit to comfortably hold the team's players, coaches, staffers and equipment.
Meanwhile, not every team in the league is expected to use the VIP Airbus A321neo aircrafts leased by the league. Many teams including the LA Lakers, Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, and Cleveland Cavaliers already have their own dedicated aircraft for player commute.
Fans react to NBA's reported deal for 13 luxurious VIP Airbus aircrafts
NBA fans had mixed reactions to the news of the league reportedly leasing 13 VIP Airbus A321neo aircrafts to enhance players' working conditions between games. Many took to X, formerly Twitter, to share their opinions.
"I hope they call it NBAirlines," a fan tweeted.
"Players getting softer and softer," a fan tweeted.
"Not one of those overpaid pretentious players had better ever say one word about 'climate change'. 😂😂" a fan tweeted.
"I've always wondered why they rely on charters when they could optimize their scheduling for their own fleet... good for them. That new media deal is kicking in," a fan tweeted.
"And they will still sit players for games," a fan tweeted.
"I had no idea. Thought the obligation was on owners to buy theirs for each team," a fan tweeted.
Previously, the league used retrofitted former commercial airplanes for player travel, however, those reportedly had comfort limitations.