Super Bowl LX will once again generate one of the busiest weeks in North American business aviation. It will be no different on the West Coast, with private, owner-operated, and business activity reaching its peak as passengers begin arriving in the Bay Area days in advance of Super Bowl LX. For private jet crews and operations teams, this is less about the excitement surrounding the event and more about anticipating restrictions, airport capacity, and TFR procedures that will define how efficiently a mission is executed.
Whether Super Bowl LX will go off successfully will have a lot to do with how early operators secure slots, ground handling, and monitor to the FAA’s Safety Plan, which will mirror past editions in its overall structure even as local details evolve. This usually considers ATC maneuvers, arrival and departure times, security observation, and its TFR on Game Day, which will go into effect an hour before kickoff and end an hour after the final whistle.
Given that there are three major alternatives: San Francisco International, Oakland International, and San Jose International, planning needs to factor in capacity, costs, and restrictions for each airport. The Icarus Jet trip support team has prepared a comprehensive guide that includes all the information needed to create an actionable plan for trip support.
Oakland International Airport
OAK has now confirmed it will be impacted by the event. It has ample parking, which is why it’s such an attractive repositioning option for aircraft facing full stands at SFO or SJC. Location is also an advantage because it’s only about a 40-minute drive to Santa Clara, which means turnaround times for departures after such an event could be faster than at airports anticipating major congestion.
Noise-abatement departures are mandatory for turbojets on runways 28L/28R. These restrictions will be in force during Super Bowl week, and pilots are advised to factor these into their planning, especially for heavier aircraft, which require maximum performance on departure. The airport operates 24/7, with customs usually running from eight in the morning to four in the afternoon. Extended hours for clearance are available through the RSP plan, subject to prior coordination with crews.
OAK participates in PPR in coordination with the NFL, for which there will be event handler costs. Spots are now being sold, and capacity is being drawn down by proximity to the event. Crews are reminded to note that while parking is available, there is no hangar capacity, which would otherwise be reserved for based operators. There are no reports on fuel capacity restrictions or delays, yet uplift planning for peak days needs to factor in congestion. Handlers require type, passengers, and services to finalize any given offer.
San Jose International Airport
SJC will remain one of the closest major airports to the stadium, having historically accommodated substantial VIP and team-related traffic during previous Super Bowls in the Bay Area.
The local FBOs operate 24/7, with PPR required and operators having to provide information for arrivals, departures, and tail numbers, while needing to wait to be added to a waitlist for Super Bowl week once airport operating specifics have been determined. Once airport management finalizes the operational parameters, they will begin issuing confirmations and fee schedules in the order in which requests were received.
Parking will be limited, and competition for space will be intense due to the event’s proximity. Operators should expect a more rigid schedule here than at OAK, especially for aircraft that need to depart immediately after the game. SJC’s operation will be significantly affected by the upcoming TFR, given its location in the overall Bay Area airspace, which will be controlled by the FAA’s flow management plan. Although routes have yet to be defined, crews might expect fixed departure slots, just like previous Super Bowls.
San Francisco International Airport
SFO remains a viable operational option for large and heavy jets, as well as for long-haul missions. Bookings are now being accepted on a waitlist basis, with rates to be determined once the special event structure is finalized by airport operators. SFO maintains 24-hour operations, which can be an advantage for repositioning flights arriving from Asia, Europe, or the East Coast before peak event days.
Though not nearly as close to the stadium as SJC, SFO has infrastructure capacity for large aircraft, good maintenance support, and handling options for complex missions. Air crews must be ready for gate-hold programs and for taxiway and ramp congestion, especially in the days preceding or following the event.
FAA safety planning and what to expect
Although the full Safety Plan for Super Bowl LX will be disseminated closer to the event, its layout will maintain ongoing practices. FAA’s playbook usually includes information on preferred routes, altitude restrictions, defined arrival windows, and the sequence ATC will follow for IFR and VFR traffic. Pilots will expect ground cooperation regarding delays, with larger departure banks to initiate based on TFR lifting.
Security needs must adhere to what has preceded in previous versions. Expect no-fly areas in close proximity to the stadium, altitude restrictions in the inner ring, screening for some chartered aircraft, and assignment of repositioning legs to controlled areas. The key for crews is to integrate these procedures early and treat them as fixed constraints rather than negotiable guidelines.
Trip support priorities for crews
Early slot and parking planning: Securing slots and handling as early as possible is essential to avoid operational friction. Parking alternatives and potential repositioning must be planned in advance, especially at OAK and SJC. February weather patterns, such as low clouds and sea fog, make alternates necessary in the initial flight plan.
CIQ and crew logistics: CIQ requirements must be locked in advance. International crews should avoid last-minute schedule changes. OAK’s evening clearances require early coordination, and crew transport and hotels must be booked well in advance due to rising demand.
Maintenance readiness: Maintenance planning needs to be completed before positioning in the Bay Area. Aircraft nearing inspections or component replacements should be serviced beforehand to prevent delays during Super Bowl week.
Conclusion
Super Bowl LX will condense an entire year’s worth of activity into one week. And for private jet crews, having everything go smoothly will mean getting slots early, being fully integrated into the FAA’s Safety Plan, coordinating with ground handlers, and proactively addressing CIQ and parking. The sooner these things are secured, the more mission-predictable private jet crews are. We are here to help today.
FAQs
1. What changes, if any, might there be to the FAA’s Safety Plan for Super Bowl LX?
It will be modified to incorporate the Bay Area location, but its layout needs to retain consistency with previous years. Expectations regarding routes, flow, and TFR will be met.
2. Can aircraft move to OAK or SFO if capacity is reached at SJC?
Yes. Both airports are considered overflow facilities. OAK offers more convenient parking, while SFO supports heavy jets.
3. Are fuel shortages anticipated during Super Bowl week?
None is forecasted now. Regardless, the timing of uplifts needs to be planned in advance because of congestion.
4. How early should crews reserve slots?
As early as possible. The three major airports are operating waitlists or selling their Super Bowl-week inventories.
5. Will Customs be operating extended hours on the occasion?
OAK offers after-hours clearance via their RSP for advance scheduling. SFO/SJC have always had complete coverage, though it’s best to check closer to the event.
