With opening day for a lot of teams coming up in a few weeks, it's time to start thinking about charters. Anybody have information on what companies teams are using this year?

The Pirates will likely be on United for the 4th comsecutive year. 738/739 combo.

Unless something dramatically changes, here's what I recall from last year and will probably be the case this year:

AA: Arizona
DL: Atlanta, Boston, Cincinnati, Minnesota, NY Mets, NY Yankees, San Diego, San Francisco, St Louis, Tampa Bay, Washington
UA: Baltimore, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Cleveland, Houston, Kansas City, LA Angels, LA Dodgers, Milwaukee, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh
AC: Toronto
Other Carriers/Unknown: Colorado (?), Detroit (own charter jet, N682RW), Miami (?), Oakland (?), Seattle (possibly Pinnacle), Texas (IIRC, they used Mark Cuban's charter operation last season)

Runway28L wrote:

The Pirates will likely be on United for the 4th comsecutive year. 738/739 combo.

Didn't the Pirates charter with DL before they changed to UA?

ctrabs0114 wrote:

Runway28L wrote:

The Pirates will likely be on United for the 4th comsecutive year. 738/739 combo.

Didn't the Pirates charter with DL before they changed to UA?

Yes that is correct. Back then they were either on a 738 or a 752.

Mariners are Delta using the 75C.

As mentioned the Cardinals fly on DL. They fly out of CPS.

Reposted and updated (since it won't let me edit my original reply):

AA: Arizona
DL: Atlanta, Boston, Cincinnati, Minnesota, NY Mets, NY Yankees, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, St Louis, Tampa Bay, Washington
UA: Baltimore, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Cleveland, Houston, Kansas City, LA Angels, LA Dodgers, Milwaukee, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh
AC: Toronto
Other Carriers/Unknown: Colorado (?), Detroit (own charter jet, N682RW), Miami (?), Oakland (?), Texas (IIRC, they used Mark Cuban's charter operation last season)

It looks like this is the San Francisco Giants charter (PHX-SFO); DL8892 (same flight number as last year) A321

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/DAL ... /KPHX/KSFO

This appears to be the Oakland A's charter (PHX-OAK); N801DM B752

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/N80 ... /KPHX/KOAK

This same plane ferried back to PHX, presumably to take the Texas Rangers back to DAL.

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/N80 ... /KPHX/KDAL

Does Southwest provide charter services? I always found it strange that even when WN was the official sponsor of the Cubs and White Sox, they stlll flew United (even more so for the White Sox, as I feel like a Southwest flight out of Midway would be a simpler logistical task, given the location of U.S. Cellular FIeld).

Yossarian22 wrote:

Does Southwest provide charter services? I always found it strange that even when WN was the official sponsor of the Cubs and White Sox, they stlll flew United (even more so for the White Sox, as I feel like a Southwest flight out of Midway would be a simpler logistical task, given the location of U.S. Cellular FIeld).

Not for pro teams (WN does, however, operate limited college charters during college football season).

The Baltimore Orioles and Milwaukee Brewers have sponsorship deals with WN, but charter with UA; WN sponsors the San Diego Padres, but the Padres fly DL; the Texas Rangers have had a long-time partnership with WN, but use Mark Cuban's charter fleet for their flights. It's not really that unusual for one airline to sponsor a team, but not run their charters (see: B6 and the Boston Red Sox, AS and the San Francisco Giants; AA and the Cubs). Though, for what it's worth, the White Sox do appear to fly out of MDW on UA charters.

Jshank83 wrote:

As mentioned the Cardinals fly on DL. They fly out of CPS.

This looks to be the Cardinals charter (DL8890), a 752 PBI-YUL for their preseason series in Montreal against the Blue Jays.

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/DAL ... /KPBI/CYUL

Mariners are using the DL8893 callsign again this year and are flying into BFI for their season opener.

Orioles staff took an Atlas Air 763 from Tampa to Baltimore after the end of spring training.
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/GTI ... /KTPA/KBWI
Not sure if the players and coaches were on this flight, as they have an exhibition with their AAA affiliate in Norfolk today 3-26.

BWIAirport wrote:

Orioles staff took an Atlas Air 763 from Tampa to Baltimore after the end of spring training.
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/GTI ... /KTPA/KBWI
Not sure if the players and coaches were on this flight, as they have an exhibition with their AAA affiliate in Norfolk today 3-26.

Players and coaches were most likely on UA2506 (739 SRQ-ORF):

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/UAL ... /KSRQ/KORF

The team will travel to BWI on the same plane, only as UA2507 (it's not normal for UA sports charters to have two separate flight numbers):

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/UAL ... /KORF/KBWI

The Orioles must send a lot of staff down to Spring Training to justify using a 767 to return to Baltimore.

DL MLB Callsigns for 2018 (the ones which have yet to be confirmed are marked with (*)):

Atlanta: DL8883
Boston: DL8884*
Cincinnati: DL8885
Miami: DL8886*
Minnesota: DL8887
New York Mets: DL8888
New York Yankees: DL8889
St. Louis: DL8890
San Diego: DL8891
San Francisco: DL8892
Seattle: DL8893
Tampa Bay: DL8894*
Washington: DL8895

ctrabs0114 wrote:

It's not really that unusual for one airline to sponsor a team, but not run their charters (see: B6 and the Boston Red Sox, AS and the San Francisco Giants; AA and the Cubs). Though, for what it's worth, the White Sox do appear to fly out of MDW on UA charters.

Now I like BR has the official airline sponsor of the World Champs - Houston Astros. Boy that was weird to type, the world champs part.

Is Emirates still the official airline sponsor of the Los Angeles Dodgers?

White Sox are UA2503
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/UAL ... /KPHX/KCLT

There quite a few repositioning flights between ORD-MDW during the season using other flight numbers.

910A wrote:

Now I like BR has the official airline sponsor of the World Champs - Houston Astros. Boy that was weird to type, the world champs part.

I do recall seeing UA advertising at Minute Maid Park, which led me to think that UA is the official airline (or at least the primary partner) of the Astros.

Is Emirates still the official airline sponsor of the Los Angeles Dodgers?

I believe they might be, but UA operated their charters last season (forgot what flight number off the top of my head).

ytib wrote:

White Sox are UA2503
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/UAL ... /KPHX/KCLT

There quite a few repositioning flights between ORD-MDW during the season using other flight numbers.

It's interesting how most of the teams flying UA are on 737s, but the White Sox are on a 320. Take that for what it's worth...

UA MLB Charter Flights (what I've been able to pick up so far):

UA2500: Houston
UA2501: Cleveland
UA2503: Chicago White Sox
UA2504: Chicago Cubs
UA2505: Kansas City
UA2506/2507: Baltimore
UA2508: Milwaukee
UA2509: Philadelphia
UA2511: Los Angeles Angels
UA2512: Pittsburgh

I have not confirmed a flight number for the Los Angeles Dodgers yet, but I have no reason to suspect they're not flying on UA this season.

ctrabs0114 wrote:

The Baltimore Orioles and Milwaukee Brewers have sponsorship deals with WN, but charter with UA; WN sponsors the San Diego Padres, but the Padres fly DL; the Texas Rangers have had a long-time partnership with WN, but use Mark Cuban's charter fleet for their flights. It's not really that unusual for one airline to sponsor a team, but not run their charters (see: B6 and the Boston Red Sox, AS and the San Francisco Giants; AA and the Cubs). Though, for what it's worth, the White Sox do appear to fly out of MDW on UA charters.

I guess that marketing agreement between AS and the San Francisco Giants doesn't extend to their television broadcasts; the starting lineups (at least for Oakland on tonight's Giants broadcast on NBC Sports Bay Area - as seen on MLB Network) were sponsored by WN. Sorry to take this a little off topic, but I just found that interesting, especially since AS now has an A321 wrapped for the Giants.

Los Angeles Dodgers: UA2502

This looks to be the Colorado Rockies charter from last night: PMM 757 PHX-SAN
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/PMM ... /KPHX/KSAN

I was curious if the 2 New England Patriots B767s would pick up any MLB charter work, especially the Red Sox. Part of the business model of acquiring those two aircraft seemed to hint they were aiming for other large group sports charters

A 767 is probably a little big for a normal MLB roster and traveling party, but with what the BoSox are paying their roster this year, the extra comfort is probably worth it.

AirNovaBAe146 wrote:

I was curious if the 2 New England Patriots B767s would pick up any MLB charter work, especially the Red Sox. Part of the business model of acquiring those two aircraft seemed to hint they were aiming for other large group sports charters

A 767 is probably a little big for a normal MLB roster and traveling party, but with what the BoSox are paying their roster this year, the extra comfort is probably worth it.

Not the Red Sox. They're scheduled on DL8884 this afternoon, a 739 PIE-MIA. A 737/A320 is usually sufficient for an MLB team, though you do see some 757 action on that front.

ctrabs0114 wrote:

AirNovaBAe146 wrote:

I was curious if the 2 New England Patriots B767s would pick up any MLB charter work, especially the Red Sox. Part of the business model of acquiring those two aircraft seemed to hint they were aiming for other large group sports charters

A 767 is probably a little big for a normal MLB roster and traveling party, but with what the BoSox are paying their roster this year, the extra comfort is probably worth it.

Not the Red Sox. They're scheduled on DL8884 this afternoon, a 739 PIE-MIA. A 737/A320 is usually sufficient for an MLB team, though you do see some 757 action on that front.

Thanks for that. Any news on whether the Patriots 767s are aiming for or have gotten other work? I couldn't help but notice them flying the Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS group to Washington last weekend, although that was a donation on the part of the Kraft family. Perhaps when the Bruins or Celtics are in the playoffs and they have larger traveling parties....

AirNovaBAe146 wrote:

ctrabs0114 wrote:

AirNovaBAe146 wrote:

I was curious if the 2 New England Patriots B767s would pick up any MLB charter work, especially the Red Sox. Part of the business model of acquiring those two aircraft seemed to hint they were aiming for other large group sports charters

A 767 is probably a little big for a normal MLB roster and traveling party, but with what the BoSox are paying their roster this year, the extra comfort is probably worth it.

Not the Red Sox. They're scheduled on DL8884 this afternoon, a 739 PIE-MIA. A 737/A320 is usually sufficient for an MLB team, though you do see some 757 action on that front.

Thanks for that. Any news on whether the Patriots 767s are aiming for or have gotten other work? I couldn't help but notice them flying the Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS group to Washington last weekend, although that was a donation on the part of the Kraft family. Perhaps when the Bruins or Celtics are in the playoffs and they have larger traveling parties....

The Bruins charter with WQ (Swift) typically using a 737, while the Celtics use a DL 75C as part of the NBA's charter program. Even with larger travelling parties for both teams, they don't need a 767.

Looks like American is no longer transporting Arizona their only MLB team. The D-Backs are traveling to CPS on a Paradigm 757. https://flightaware.com/live/flight/PMM ... /KPHX/KCPS

910A wrote:

Looks like American is no longer transporting Arizona their only MLB team. The D-Backs are traveling to CPS on a Paradigm 757. https://flightaware.com/live/flight/PMM ... /KPHX/KCPS

Somehow, I'm not shocked. But, Paradigm's 757 is going to be getting a good workout between the D-Backs and Rockies likely using the same 757 all season.

ctrabs0114 wrote:

910A wrote:

Looks like American is no longer transporting Arizona their only MLB team. The D-Backs are traveling to CPS on a Paradigm 757. https://flightaware.com/live/flight/PMM ... /KPHX/KCPS

Somehow, I'm not shocked. But, Paradigm's 757 is going to be getting a good workout between the D-Backs and Rockies likely using the same 757 all season.

Paradigm has two 757s. Rockies flew back to DEN yesterday on 758.

The Texas Rangers are using an Atlas 762 5Y7735, for their 2-game series in Seattle.

The team flew into BFI on Sunday and are now on their way to ORD to play the White Sox.

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/GTI7735

mailmover wrote:

The Texas Rangers are using an Atlas 762 5Y7735, for their 2-game series in Seattle.

The team flew into BFI on Sunday and are now on their way to ORD to play the White Sox.

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/GTI7735

A 762 seems like overkill for a major league team, to be honest.

ctrabs0114 wrote:

mailmover wrote:

The Texas Rangers are using an Atlas 762 5Y7735, for their 2-game series in Seattle.

The team flew into BFI on Sunday and are now on their way to ORD to play the White Sox.

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/GTI7735

A 762 seems like overkill for a major league team, to be honest.

The Giants used a 762, N769VA (ln 7), a few years ago.

The MLB season provides a nice plane spotting opportunity in Kansas City since all the MLB charters use MKC instead of MCI. I usually take my bike and ride laps around the perimeter and check out the late Sunday flights. However the best spotting is when President Bush 2 landed (not him personally of course) at MKC for a campaign stop in 2004.

FlyingJhawk wrote:

The MLB season provides a nice plane spotting opportunity in Kansas City since all the MLB charters use MKC instead of MCI. I usually take my bike and ride laps around the perimeter and check out the late Sunday flights. However the best spotting is when President Bush 2 landed (not him personally of course) at MKC for a campaign stop in 2004.

One of the highlights of my weekday commute from up near MCI to my office on the Plaza is driving by MKC and noting the different MLB charters. The other evening, we were driving to dinner in the Northland and watched the Royals United charter line up on final into MKC over N. Oak. We live off the extended centerline for 09-27 at MCI, so depending on the pattern we see a good number of flights into/out of MCI. But I have a soft spot for MKC (my first flight - on a BI 727 to DAL - was out of MKC with my dad) and enjoy the variety of MLB charters during the season.

mailmover wrote:

The Texas Rangers are using an Atlas 762 5Y7735, for their 2-game series in Seattle.

The team flew into BFI on Sunday and are now on their way to ORD to play the White Sox.

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/GTI7735

So the Rangers are using a charter fleet instead of the same plane? Trying to follow their travels but I can't seem to track down their flights.

mailmover wrote:

The Texas Rangers are using an Atlas 762 5Y7735, for their 2-game series in Seattle.

The team flew into BFI on Sunday and are now on their way to ORD to play the White Sox.

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/GTI7735

It's not "an Atlas 762". Atlas doesn't have pax 762s. This is the MLW Air luxury VIP aircraft, which Atlas operates for them under contract.

wjcandee wrote:

mailmover wrote:

The Texas Rangers are using an Atlas 762 5Y7735, for their 2-game series in Seattle.

The team flew into BFI on Sunday and are now on their way to ORD to play the White Sox.

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/GTI7735

It's not "an Atlas 762". Atlas doesn't have pax 762s. This is the MLW Air luxury VIP aircraft, which Atlas operates for them under contract.

Thanks WJ. I'm pretty new; does this flight have a flight number that's used regularly? Or a published sign?

Keithwd wrote:

wjcandee wrote:

mailmover wrote:

The Texas Rangers are using an Atlas 762 5Y7735, for their 2-game series in Seattle.

The team flew into BFI on Sunday and are now on their way to ORD to play the White Sox.

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/GTI7735

It's not "an Atlas 762". Atlas doesn't have pax 762s. This is the MLW Air luxury VIP aircraft, which Atlas operates for them under contract.

Thanks WJ. I'm pretty new; does this flight have a flight number that's used regularly? Or a published sign?

Looking back at this, because I wrote it quickly, it looks a little snippy, which I didn't mean for it to be.

If you want to follow this plane, just type its tail number into FlightAware, which is N767MW. MLW Air is owned by Mark Cuban and two other guys, one of which is Martin L Woodall, who is involved in a lot of Cuban's businesses, hence MLW. I'm not totally clear about the ownership these days of the associated 757, which is N801DM (for "Dallas Mavericks"); I think it's still with MLW Air. They used to put both aircraft up for charter, but they seem only to market the 767 these days. http://www.mlwair.com When they bought the 767, it was originally operated for MLW by Pace, I think, and Pace went out of business. It was then operated for MLW by Swift. For some time it has been operated by Atlas. Atlas has a bunch of 767s, so it makes sense. If you charter the aircraft, you actually fill out a charter agreement with Atlas, but I think you set it up with MLW. I think the point is that they have to do things in a way that meets the FAA regs. The 767 is comfortably-configured, but it's not like Trump's aircraft which has a much more limited number of seats. So it works for some sports charters and things like corporate charters where they're moving a group.

They may crew the 757 themselves. If they do, then they can't hold it out to the general public for charters. Part 125 would restrict it to associated businesses of the owner, as a general rule, or for purely-charitable flights. The Patriots 767-300s are presently owned and operated this way by Team 125, Inc. ("125" for "Part 125"), which is essentially owned by the owner of the Patriots. (Interesting tidbit: the Patriots' 767s are maintained by AMES in Wilmington, OH, which is the aircraft maintenance subsidiary of ATSG, which owns two cargo airlines, ABX Air and ATI, both of which fly a lot of 767s. Both Patriots' aircraft have had work done there during the off-season.)

Hope this helps. There should be some posts on A.net in the past about these aircraft, as people are often interested in them.

wjcandee wrote:

Looking back at this, because I wrote it quickly, it looks a little snippy, which I didn't mean for it to be.

If you want to follow this plane, just type its tail number into FlightAware, which is N767MW. MLW Air is owned by Mark Cuban and two other guys, one of which is Martin L Woodall, who is involved in a lot of Cuban's businesses, hence MLW. I'm not totally clear about the ownership these days of the associated 757, which is N801DM (for "Dallas Mavericks"); I think it's still with MLW Air. They used to put both aircraft up for charter, but they seem only to market the 767 these days. http://www.mlwair.com When they bought the 767, it was originally operated for MLW by Pace, I think, and Pace went out of business. It was then operated for MLW by Swift. For some time it has been operated by Atlas. Atlas has a bunch of 767s, so it makes sense. If you charter the aircraft, you actually fill out a charter agreement with Atlas, but I think you set it up with MLW. I think the point is that they have to do things in a way that meets the FAA regs. The 767 is comfortably-configured, but it's not like Trump's aircraft which has a much more limited number of seats. So it works for some sports charters and things like corporate charters where they're moving a group.

They may crew the 757 themselves. If they do, then they can't hold it out to the general public for charters. Part 125 would restrict it to associated businesses of the owner, as a general rule, or for purely-charitable flights. The Patriots 767-300s are presently owned and operated this way by Team 125, Inc. ("125" for "Part 125"), which is essentially owned by the owner of the Patriots. (Interesting tidbit: the Patriots' 767s are maintained by AMES in Wilmington, OH, which is the aircraft maintenance subsidiary of ATSG, which owns two cargo airlines, ABX Air and ATI, both of which fly a lot of 767s. Both Patriots' aircraft have had work done there during the off-season.)

Hope this helps. There should be some posts on A.net in the past about these aircraft, as people are often interested in them.

Thank you very much WJ. That helps a ton.

Another interesting tidbit of information. N767MW is the third oldest active passenger configured 767. LN 32. Delivered in June 1983.