Breanna Stewart, the WNBA MVP, encountered a bit of an obstacle while boarding a commercial flight with her team, the New York Liberty. She had to ask a man to briefly get up so she could maneuver her tall frame into her window seat. Unbeknownst to the man, he was sharing overhead bin space with one of the best players in the women’s game.
Unlike NBA teams that charter flights, WNBA teams primarily fly commercial due to the collective bargaining agreement. Chartering for the entire season would cost around $25 million, or approximately $2 million per team. The Associated Press recently traveled with the New York Liberty to get a firsthand look at their experience.
For a 13-hour day on a road trip, players like Stewart have to navigate through crowded areas to reach their seats. The Liberty’s travel party, including all their checked bags, had a smooth process at Bradley Airport in Connecticut before boarding a flight to Atlanta. Foreign-born players like Jonquel Jones and Marine Johannes sometimes have to go through regular security lines due to not having TSA precheck or Clear status.
Though players are in comfort seats or economy-plus for extra leg room, taller players like Stewart still find themselves in tight spaces at times. They can upgrade to first class at their own expense, but it’s not always possible. Stewart was fortunate to be upgraded for the first leg of the trip, but not for the second leg from Atlanta to Las Vegas.
Despite the challenges, the Liberty made it to their destination on time and with all their belongings. The wear-and-tear on players’ bodies has led to calls for charter flights, and while there have been some relaxations in the rules this season, commercial travel remains the norm for most WNBA teams.
The Liberty organization does its best to make travel comfortable for players, but there is still room for improvement. With the health and safety of players at risk, Stewart believes more needs to be done to ensure they can maintain their peak performance and avoid physical discomfort caused by long flights. This particular road trip with a connecting flight was a unique experience for the Liberty.