![]()
Photo from Las Vegas Super Bowl Host Committee X (formerly Twitter)As or Jan. 28th, 2024 we were down to the top four football teams. The Chiefs against the Ravens and the Lions against the 49ers. The results are here and finalized. Although astonishing for some and a victory for others, the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers will play for the championship. These top two teams will rival in the NFL Super Bowl slated for Feb.11th, 2024. Check out some strategies for optimizing travel plans around major sports events such as the Super Bowl. RELATED STORY:What GA pilots need to know before Super Bowl LVIIIThe FAA has warned GA pilots to be prepared for upcoming changes surrounding the upcoming big game. When major sporting events take place, pilots should be aware of temporary flight restrictions and special air traffic procedures issued for the busy weekend. Check for NOTAMs issued closer to the event, along with specific arrival and departure route requirements. Keep in mind you are not the only sport fan flying to the big game and aircraft parking can be scarce without a prior reservation. The FAA will be publishing a Temporary Flight Restriction for Super Bowl LVIII centered on Allegiant Stadium, active from 2:30 to 8:30 p.m. local time on Sundayzfeb. 11. The TFR will have a 10-nautical mile inner core and a 30-nautical mile outer ring. This TFR will not impact regularly scheduled commercial flights, nor will it impact emergency medical, public safety and military aircraft entering the TFR in coordination with air traffic control.See the FAA Super Bowl LVIII flight advisoryIf you were watching the Chiefs against the Ravens game closely, you would have noticed an administrative timeout was taken throughout the first half of the first quarter due to a drone flying above Baltimore's stadium. Whether you are a drone pilot or an airplane pilot, your hopes to see a major sporting event over the top will be short-lived. Flying drones in and around stadiums is prohibited starting one hour before and ending one hour after the scheduled time of any of the following events:
Major League Baseball
National Football League NCAA Division One Football NASCAR Sprint Cup, Indy Car, and Champ Series races More specifically, all UAS operations are prohibited within a three-nautical mile radius of the stadium or venue.
According to FAR 91.145 paragraph (e) section 2, flight restricted area for a major sporting event, states that "The amount of airspace needed to protect persons and property on the surface or in the air, to maintain air safety and efficiency, or to prevent the unsafe congestion of aircraft will vary depending on the size of the event and the factors listed in paragraph (b) of this section. The restricted airspace will normally be limited to a 3-nautical mile radius from the center of the event and 2500 feet above the surface but will not be greater than the minimum airspace necessary for the management of aircraft operations in the vicinity of the specified area."
Although you're not quite in the endzone yet, your best bet to optimizing travel plans would be to plan your route accordingly. If you choose to fly yourself or fly commercially, the sooner you plan the better. To optimize your game day experience, buying a package plan is the way to go. Check out Game Day Ticket Packages for 2024Super Bowl tickets, pregames, hotels, and expenses are way more expensive buying them singularly and closer to the official date. Buy your tickets early and book your flights as soon as possible. Preparing for the Super Bowl doesn't start when your team makes it to the playoffs. They have already started the 2025 Super Bowl waitlist where you can beat the crowd and get the release deals straight to your inbox. Get on the NFL Super Bowl 2025 Waitlist
Are you ready to reach the game in record time? Buy a plan, pack a bag, reserve an aircraft parking space, check out temporary flight restrictions and advisories and get ready for the experience of a lifetime.