The New England Patriots, a professional American football team based in Boston, are the sixth-most valuable sports team globally. The Patriots hold NFL records for most Super Bowl wins, the longest winning streak of regular season and playoff games, 19 consecutive winning seasons, and 126 wins in 10 years from 2003 to 2012. The Patriots have sold out every home game since 1994.

Since 2002, the Patriots' home stadium has been Gillette Stadium, a $350 million facility located in Foxborough, Massachusetts. It houses the team's practice facilities, administrative offices, and owning entity, along with the Kraft Soccer team. The team is sponsored by billionaire Robert Kraft, the Chairman and CEO of the Kraft Group.

According to the New York Times, on April 3, 2025, the Patriots have the fourth pick in the NFL Draft and will enter 2025 with a third coach in three seasons. The first round of the 2025 NFL Draft will start on April 24 and will be held in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Patriots have nine picks in the seven-round draft, and all rounds will be televised on ESPN and ABC Network.

The New England Patriots started considering owning a plane in 2015. The team tried to find an airline industry partner with the expertise to assemble and operate a plane. Later, Kraft sponsors decided to acquire a dedicated aircraft to suit the team's preferences. In addition to cost, private flights provide players with a break from fans' demands, allowing them to relax and enjoy top-class comfort.

Football competitions often involve teams playing in multiple locations, making it difficult for them to travel via commercial flights due to tournament arrangements and changing schedules. Private aircraft offers a more suitable option, as it saves time and allows players to travel in peace and quiet. This intense period is crucial for the competition's outcome.

The Patriots have become the first team in NFL history to own two aircraft

In August 2017, the New England Patriots purchased two 👁 Image
Boeing B767 widebody aircraft, which typically cost around $45 million. These aircraft were retrofitted with first-class seats and adorned with the team logo and five Lombardi trophies on the tail. They were previously operated by 👁 Image
American Airlines, have an extended range, and can fly nonstop for about 12 hours.

At the start, Eastern Airlines handled all flight and ground operations for the planes. However, the Patriots filed a $22.8 million lawsuit against Eastern Airlines over an alleged breach of contract, raising the price of their services after 2023. Moving ahead, both aircraft now operate with Omni Air International.

Patriot organizations preferred to be more flexible in operating airplanes, handling issues, and managing operations. The team is responsible for maintenance, piloting, crewing, fueling, catering, and communication with bus companies, hotels, and other parties to ensure smooth operations, including food, caterers, and equipment loading and unloading.

The two aircraft are registered as N366AA and N39367. Despite their age, both aircraft remain active and operational. Two GE CF6-80C2B6 engines powering both jets. Delivered to American Airlines in 1991, the aircraft served with American Airlines for over 24 years before being stored in March 2016.

Acquired by the New England Patriots on October 27, 2017. Currently, Omni Air International has been operating the planes since February 2024. Omni Air International, a subsidiary of Air Transport Services Group, Inc., has signed a long-term agreement with the team to operate their two aircraft for team travel, charter flights, humanitarian and goodwill flights, and other charter customers.

Omni, a private international airline based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, has provided short-term support to various events worldwide, including film crews, music tours, corporate and leisure travel, emergency evacuations, and government and military transport. As a dedicated airline, Omni offers tailored charter services, airline startup and route development, ACMI wet leasing, and aircraft management.

NFL teams have not considered purchasing their own planes in the past, but charter travel has become more expensive due to major carriers retiring larger planes used by the teams. The cost of chartering flights for NFL teams is increasing, with 10 round-trip flights per season costing up to $4 million, making the decision to buy a plane easier. In an average season, the Patriots spend 44 hours in the air, covering over 17,000 miles.

Airlines retire larger planes that can carry a full team and support staff as they near the end of their life cycle. These planes require a costly reboot of extensive repair and modernization to meet Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements. Airlines also focus on more profitable and cost-efficient modern aircraft.

Inside the AirKraft Boeing 767-300ERs

The aircraft renovation, designed by Kraft Sports and Entertainment, included refurbishing its interior, except for the cabin dividers and bathrooms. The renovation also included carpets, overhead bins, and seats to build the plane from an aesthetic and comfort perspective, ample enough for tall football players.

The plane was designed to be comfortable, with wide seats accommodating 350 pound offensive or defensive linemen. The in-flight entertainment aspect was also prioritized, with screens in the seats and a wide range of in-flight entertainment. The plane is always ready with a VIP setup and premium standards.

One of the great benefits of the aircraft is related to marketing, as the plane livery has been able to attract a true Patriot fan base, as seen by the airline employees taking pictures and asking questions about their games and events. Next to providing a better experience for passengers, it is fitted with a room to sit and relax. The team is always ready to go when traveling, even when only operating one plane.

However, according to One Mile At A Time, the Patriots' players want an upgraded team plane due to its size, lack of WiFi, and ashtrays in armrests. They also believe the current plane is not conducive to athletic performance and is the worst option for size, space, and safety.

Exploring the design of the Boeing 767

The Boeing 767's original design featured three seating configurations, including first, business, and economy classes, providing flexibility to tailor the aircraft for different markets (The full economy configuration accommodates up to 290 passengers). The aircraft dimensions are:

• Length: 159 ft 2 in (48.51 m)
• Wingspan: 156 ft 1 in (47.57 m)
• Cabin width: 186 in (4.72 m)

It is considered to be the first Boeing wide-body designed with a two-crew digital glass cockpit. Its dimensions balance passenger comfort and operational efficiency, while its maximum range of 6,590 NM (7,580 mi, 12,200 km) ensures it can connect destinations nonstop across the US and worldwide.

The B767 is still in service, with many being built for cargo operations. 👁 Image
Delta Air Lines is the largest operator, with 77 aircraft in its fleet. Boeing has received 1,430 orders from 74 customers, with a total of 1,326 models delivered as of 2025. The majority of these orders are for cargo or tanker variants.

More than just for the primary team

Kraft Corporation utilizes the two aircraft for the leading team and markets for charters and humanitarian support. Holding two aircraft with a fully ready crew can generate operational assets or community aid. This support was initiated from the early days of receiving the aircraft.

On Jul 31, 2021, Boston's women's tackle football team returned with their sixth trophy after receiving a lift from the Patriots team plane. Hosted by the Cleveland Browns in Canton, Ohio, a 14-hour drive from their hometown, surrounded by a hundred others who share her passion for football.

On March 23, 2018, the New England Patriots provided a plane to transport families and students from Parkland, Florida, to Washington, D.C., for the "March for Our Lives" against gun violence. Kraft organization provided the plane to the families of 17 victims of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting and some injured students. Kraft chose to lend the plane to those affected after voices asked for the favor.

Having an additional aircraft as a backup allows the Kraft family to use the plane for good, such as a trip to China to get masks; a Patriot plane has allowed the Kraft family to use their aircraft for good, such as bringing 1.1 million masks back to Massachusetts and flying 76 healthcare professionals to Super Bowl 55 in 2021.

The New England team in Boston has expressed their condolences following a tragic plane crash near Ronald Reagan Airport, resulting in the death of 60 passengers and four crew members. The incident occurred when an American Airlines plane collided with an Army helicopter.