49ers Charter Qantas A380 for 16-Hour Australia Flight, Prioritizing Player Comfort
Updated
Updated · NBC Sports Bay Area · Sep 3
49ers Charter Qantas A380 for 16-Hour Australia Flight, Prioritizing Player Comfort
3 articles · Updated · NBC Sports Bay Area · Sep 3
Summary
A 16-hour trip to Melbourne pushed San Francisco to swap its usual United charter for a Qantas double-decker Airbus A380 ahead of its Week 1 game against the Rams.
70 business-class lay-flat seats on the upper deck are expected to hold most players, while the jet also offers 14 first-class seats, 60 premium-economy recliners and 341 economy seats.
6-foot-5 Trent Williams said standard team seats are uncomfortable for many players over 6-foot-1, underscoring why the club sought more room for its roster and staff.
Hydration plans tied to each player's body weight and onboard recovery gear, including compression-and-ice treatment, are part of the travel setup as injured players such as Nick Bosa prepare for the Sept. 10 opener.
The flight is part of the 49ers' early move to Australia for the NFL's first game on the continent at Melbourne Cricket Ground.