Bay Area Sees Massive Spike in Private Jet Flights After Super Bowl

Over 1,100% increase in private jet departures from five Bay Area airports in the hours after the big game.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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The Bay Area saw a massive surge in private jet traffic in the hours immediately following Super Bowl LX, with over 1,100% more private jet departures from five local airports compared to the previous Sunday. Airports like Oakland, San Jose, and Livermore were flooded with wealthy spectators flying out after the game, forcing them to get creative with overflow parking and runway usage.

Why it matters

The influx of private jets highlights the stark divide between the ultra-wealthy who can afford to fly privately to major events and the average fan. It also raises questions about the environmental impact and equitable access to major sporting events when the airspace is dominated by private aviation.

The details

According to data from FlightRadar24, between 7 PM Sunday and 2 AM Monday, 136 private jets departed from five Bay Area airports - a 1,136% increase from the previous Sunday. Oakland was the busiest, with 52 departures compared to just 2 the week prior. Other airports like San Jose, SFO, and Livermore also saw huge spikes in private jet traffic as they worked to accommodate the overflow.

  • Between 7 PM Sunday and 2 AM Monday, 136 private jets departed from five Bay Area airports.
  • On the previous Sunday, February 1, there were only 11 private jet departures from those same airports.

The players

FlightRadar24

A flight tracking service that provided data on the private jet exodus from the Bay Area after the Super Bowl.

Rick Breitenfeldt

A spokesperson for the Federal Aviation Administration who commented on the wave of private aviation activity around the Super Bowl.

Kaley Skantz

A spokesperson for Oakland International Airport, which saw a major influx of private jets.

Benny Stuth

The manager of Livermore Municipal Airport, which also experienced a surge in private jet traffic.

Douglas McNeely

The manager of Hayward Executive Airport, which had to get creative to handle the overflow of private planes.

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What they’re saying

“The FAA expected nearly 5,000 additional takeoffs and landings with around 600 aircraft parked at 17 local airports throughout the region.”

— Rick Breitenfeldt, FAA Spokesperson (SFGATE)

“Between this past Wednesday and midday today, approximately 1,200 private aircraft departures AND arrivals have flown through Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport.”

— Kaley Skantz, Oakland Airport Spokesperson (SFGATE)

“By the time the actual event occurred, we had determined where we could park airplanes and overflow parking.”

— Douglas McNeely, Hayward Executive Airport Manager (SFGATE)

What’s next

The FAA and local airports will likely review their procedures and infrastructure to better handle the influx of private aviation around major events like the Super Bowl in the future.

The takeaway

The private jet exodus after the Super Bowl highlights the stark divide between the ultra-wealthy who can afford to fly privately to major events and the average fan. It also raises concerns about the environmental impact and equitable access to these events when the airspace is dominated by private aviation.