No stranger to hosting the Super Bowl, this will indeed be New Orleans’s 11th time to stage the biggest showdown in football. It is one of the world’s most exciting sports events annually and is highly anticipated.
Private jet company Mercury Jets shares what to consider when chartering your flight to Super Bowl LIX.
The Super Bowl attracts all types of private jet travelers – understandably as what better way to travel to such a glitzy event than by private jet? Of course, it is luxurious, but also very flexible and most important is the fact that it saves time as well as allowing for discretion. This year, the event takes place on Sunday 9th February, and it is wise to plan early and secure not just your ticket, but your travel plans well in advance.
Over 1,000 private jets are expected for the big game and numbers increase each year. According to data from WingX, the Super Bowl typically draws the highest numbers of private jets to any US event. In 2020, prior to the pandemic a record number of 984 private jets arrived and departed for the Super Bowl in Miami. As we have seen before, it’s likely that there won’t be enough parking, therefore there will be more 'drop and go' or positioning flights, elsewhere.
According to FlightRadar24, 525 private jets departed the Las Vegas area after last year’s edition and 81 of those made the hourly flight to Los Angeles. The average flight time combined was just over two hours. The shortest flight was just 29 minutes with a Falcon 900EX flying from North Las Vegas Airport to Kingman. The longest flight was 13 hours and 20 minutes on a Global Express to Ishigaki in Japan.
The three main airports for this year’s event in Las Vegas struggled to accommodate both slots and the parking space required for all of the private jets’ movements, and we should expect the same demand next year, if not more. There are some 15 airports within 50 miles of New Orleans, which should ease the issue slightly. These are the major ones:
Louis Armstrong International Airport (MSY/KMSY)
This airport is the main airport for New Orleans and has both commercial and private jet flights and is the gateway to the city. It is open 24 hours and has two runways, but one may not be useable by heavy jets in certain weather conditions. The airport is 11 miles from the city and the drive can take around 24 minutes.
Lakefront Airport (NEW/KNEW)
Lakefront Airport is the most popular choice for private jets and has three runways. It is well known for its Art Deco exterior and lavish 30s interior. The airport is just 5 miles Northeast of the city, and it will take 14 minutes to reach the Superdome by car.
These airports are within an hour’s drive:
Slidell Municipal Airport (ASD/KASD)
Slidell Municipal Airport has just one runway of 5,000 feet. The city owned airport is 42 miles away and the drive takes between 40 and 60 minutes depending on which route is taken. It does receive private jets on a regular basis and has its own private FBO and terminal. This is an ideal choice if you want to avoid possible congestion at the city airports.
Port of South Louisiana Executive Regional Airport (APS/KAPS)
This regional airport attracts private jets to the New Orleans and Baton Rouge areas. It is known for its personal service and is convenient as it is located outside the busy class B airspace. It has one runway of 5,150 feet, operates 24/7 and has hangar space and overnight parking. There is a private FBO for passenger and crew use. The airport is a 35-minute drive away and is 35.5 miles away from the downtown area.
Louisiana Regional Airport (REG/KREG)
This regional airport is located near to Gonzales and suited to those visiting the New Orleans and Baton Rouge region. It is open 24/7 and operated by the Ascension St. James Airport and Transportation Authority. They have a private FBO and lounge and there are two runways in operation. There is also ramp parking and hangar space. The airport is an hour away from the city (58 miles).
St. Tammany Regional Airport (L31)
St. Tammany Regional Airport is close to the town of Covington. It has one runway with a length of 2,999 feet. It is a public terminal close to Slidell Municipal Airport, making it another alternative. It is 46 miles from downtown New Orleans, and it is an hour’s journey. It has two runways at a length of 2,999 feet and limited facilities. There is a private FBO and parking space.
Safety and flight advisories
The FAA publishes a flight advisory in January in preparation for the Super Bowl. This includes airspace restrictions over the area. NOTAMs will also be issued with temporary flight restrictions (TFRs), so it is important to watch for those and regularly check the FAA website. With so much expected traffic, taking a private jet to such an event presents challenges that specialized private jet providers are used to dealing with.
There are mandates for pilots to secure take-off and landing slots in advance and adhere to TFRs in place during and around the times of this significant event. Specific procedures will be in place at the airports in the region to minimize delays and ensure safety. The FAA will issue a safety plan nearer the time for those airports affected. Parking must be secured, well in advance.
New Orleans is a captivating city, known for being a multicultural melting pot with rich history and gastronomy. Formally, the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, home to the New Orleans Saints has now been renamed the Caesars Superdome and has a capacity of over 75,000 people. This Super Bowl may well see increased numbers of private jets, so it is important to be aware of possible challenges and how they can be navigated effectively with minimum fuss or disruption.
