Inside the private jet that flew the US soccer women’s world champions home after their win
- Plane identified as a 757-200 jet that is often used as a VIP and sports team charter, and can seat 62 people
The United States women’s soccer team flew home in style after retaining the Fifa World Cup with a 2-0 victory over the Netherlands in the final in Lyon, France.
On Monday morning, the team’s Twitter account posted a photo of players in front of an unmarked jet, and a few eagle-eyed aviation enthusiasts were able to identify the plane.
NYCAviation, a New York-area aviation group, identified the plane as a 757-200, with the registration SX-RFA, flown by charter airline GainJet.
Although the US Soccer Federation did not immediately return a request for confirmation, FlightRadar24, a flight-tracking program, used its data to confirm the identification based on “the visual appearance of the aircraft, its historical use, current flight path and departure time”, according to spokesman Ian Petchenik.
The jet, which has a range of 4,500 nautical miles, is frequently used as a VIP and sports team charter. It’s configured to seat up to 62 people, according to GainJets’ website, and features comfortable, spacious seats, a massive lavatory and an on-board stateroom. The cabin is divided into different sections to add privacy.
Take a look below at a typical layout for the jet, which can be adjusted based on a client’s needs. While it is not certain what amenities or layouts were selected for this trip, the plane’s 10 ton baggage hold capacity should be more than enough for one of the most crucial pieces of cargo: the World Cup trophy.
This is the standard layout of the GainJet 757-200.
The plane is configured to seat up to 62 people, with both traditional seating …