Las Vegas is gearing up for a jam-packed weekend as the Super Bowl draws near. With the city expecting an influx of visitors, including celebrities and sports enthusiasts, it comes as no surprise that parking spaces for private aircraft at airports in and around Las Vegas are already spoken for.
According to the Clark County Department of Aviation, the four airports surrounding Las Vegas only have a combined total of approximately 475 parking spaces. This news was confirmed by Rick Breitenfeldt, FAA spokesman for his sixth Super Bowl, who said, 'Oh, they're full.' This means that those planning to jet into Las Vegas for the big game may encounter some difficulty finding a place to park their planes.
It's worth noting that this isn't the first time Las Vegas-area airports have reached capacity for private planes. Back in November, during the inaugural Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix auto race, the airports were also filled to the brim with aircraft. The increasing popularity of Las Vegas as a destination for major events is highlighting the limited number of available parking spaces for private aircraft.
Among the airports in the area, Clark County handles Harry Reid International, which is one of the busiest passenger airports in the United States. Additionally, there are busy general aviation airports in suburban North Las Vegas and Henderson. Boulder City Municipal Airport, located approximately 24 miles east of Las Vegas, was also checked for availability.
With air traffic expected to be heavy this Super Bowl weekend, commercial airlines have already added extra flights to accommodate the influx of passengers. In fact, the Las Vegas airport reported that it handled a record-breaking 57.6 million passengers in 2023, averaging nearly 160,000 people per day.
One high-profile figure potentially facing challenges when it comes to parking her private plane is pop sensation Taylor Swift. If she plans to attend the Super Bowl after her upcoming Tokyo concert, she may already be feeling the squeeze. However, a spokesperson for Swift did not respond to inquiries on her travel plans or potential parking arrangements for her aircraft.
Swift is known to own more than one private jet, including a Dassault Falcon 900 that can seat at least 12 people and fly at impressive speeds of up to 590 mph. Considering the time zone differences between Tokyo and Las Vegas, if she departs at midnight, she could potentially arrive in Las Vegas on Saturday, the day before the game, after crossing nine time zones and the international date line.
The scarcity of aircraft parking in Las Vegas can be attributed to the city having fewer airports compared to previous Super Bowl host cities. For instance, Glendale, Arizona, where last year's Super Bowl was played, has more airports available. In 2023, during Super Bowl week, Glendale also hosted the WM Phoenix Open golf tournament, filling up all 1,100 aircraft parking pads in the Phoenix area.
While the NFL does not handle aircraft reservations, it works in coordination with the FAA, the National Business Aviation Association, host city airport authorities, and commercial private aircraft service companies during Super Bowl events. Brian McCarthy, a spokesperson for the NFL, mentioned that the league does not comment on individual requests.
Aside from Super Bowl-related activities, Las Vegas will also be hosting the LIV Golf league tournament at the Las Vegas Country Club, which is expected to attract players and fans. With multiple events happening simultaneously, it's no wonder that parking spaces for aircraft are in short supply.
There may still be some options available for 'drop-and-go' flights, where pilots drop off passengers and then fly to another airport to park. Airports within 100 miles of Las Vegas, such as Mesquite Municipal Airport in Nevada and Laughlin-Bullhead International Airport in Arizona, could potentially serve as alternatives. Additionally, Jean Sport Aviation Center, located south of Las Vegas and visible from Interstate 15, offers a nearby airstrip with no control tower.
If all else fails, aircraft owners may have to consider parking their valuable jets elsewhere. Large California airports such as Ontario International, San Bernardino International, Palm Springs International, and Palmdale Regional are all within 200 miles of Las Vegas. Furthermore, Los Angeles International, John Wayne International near Santa Ana, Long Beach International, and Hollywood/Burbank airports are within 250 miles. The city of Phoenix is also an option, located approximately 255 miles away.
When it comes to the cost of parking, aircraft owners might find it more cost-effective to park their multi-million dollar jets for the Super Bowl than automobile owners attending the game. According to Heidi Hayes from the Clark County Department of Aviation, aircraft parking fees at Harry Reid International during Super Bowl weekend remain the same as the standard rates, ranging from $20 to $150 per day depending on the aircraft's size.
While parking spaces for private aircraft may be scarce, the excitement surrounding the Super Bowl in Las Vegas cannot be denied. With both fans and celebrities eager to be a part of the action, finding a place to park those planes is just another aspect of the logistical challenge that comes with hosting such a high-profile event.
