The Los Angeles Rams have arrived Down Under ahead of their historic game at the MCG today, the first regular season game the league has played in Australia.
Qantas also flew the San Francisco 49ers to Melbourne last week, with both teams travelling on A380s from Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Each charter covered around 12,900 kilometres with four pilots, 22 cabin crew and one travelling charter manager on board.
Between them the two flights carried over 20 tonnes of equipment and enough catering that some of it was stowed in the overhead lockers, with over 2,000 meals loaded in total.
Catering was built around what an NFL team eats, with menus developed alongside each team’s nutrition staff and more protein loaded than almost any other Qantas flight.
Steak sandwiches came with extra steak, along with double portions of cheeseburgers, other meats and sides.
“Australians love major sporting events and there is enormous excitement as Melbourne prepares to host one of the biggest sporting events in the world,” said Danielle Keighery, Qantas Group Chief Brand and Corporate Affairs Officer.
“For many of the athletes and staff this is their first visit to Australia and we wanted to give them a taste of the country from the moment they stepped on board.”
As Official Airline Partner of the NFL in Australia and New Zealand and of the Melbourne game, Qantas has seen bookings from the United States to Australia rise 50 per cent year on year in the fortnight leading into the game.
Qantas produced special themed pyjamas in each team’s colours for the charters, with customers on select services from Los Angeles and San Franciso also surprised with the limited-edition pyjamas at the boarding gates.
The Flying Kangaroo operates up to 40 flights a week between Australia and the United States, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York via Auckland and Dallas.
“As the NFL’s official airline in Australia, Qantas has played a vital role in helping bring the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers to Melbourne, as well as ensuring it was a seamless journey for all of our fans travelling to the game,” said Charlotte Offord, NFL General Manager – Australia and New Zealand.
