Qantas operated two charter flights to bring the NFL teams to Melbourne ahead of the league’s first regular-season match in Australia, loading more than 2,000 meals in total and producing special-edition pyjamas for the trip.
Qantas flew the San Francisco 49ers to Melbourne a week before Friday’s match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The Los Angeles Rams arrived on a separate charter, landing closer to kick-off.
Each team’s nutrition staff helped develop the menus. Qantas loaded more protein than on almost any other flight. Steak sandwiches came with extra steak, alongside double portions of cheeseburgers and sides.
The self-serve snack bar included Archer grass-fed beef jerky, Sabra Smart Snackers, Doritos Nacho Cheese, David’s Cookies gluten-free chocolate chip cookies, SunRich apple slices, grapes, Jif To Go peanut butter cups, and cheese and charcuterie trays, alongside Dr Pepper, Diet Coke, and Vita Coco coconut water.
The galley also carried Gatorade, Boom Chicka Pop, Lay’s Baked chips, and SkinnyPop white cheddar popcorn.
Qantas produced pyjamas for the charters, with a matching pillow set.
Danielle Keighery, Qantas Group Chief Brand and Corporate Affairs Officer, said: “As Official Airline Partner of the NFL in Australia and New Zealand, our teams have spent months working with the clubs to make the flight part of the experience, from menus designed alongside team nutrition staff to bespoke Qantas pyjamas in each club’s colours. 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.”
Photos: Qantas
Nik founded Inflight Feed in 2012, blending his passion for inflight dining with over a decade of experience in the airline industry. For the past 13 years, he has travelled the world, exploring and reviewing airline meals across countless carriers.
CNN Travel, The New York Times, and BBC World News have featured Nik’s expertise. When he’s not on the ground, you’ll find him at 35,000 feet, camera in hand, capturing the unique flavours of air travel. Follow his inflight meal adventures on Instagram: @InflightFeed.