Sukhoi, prominent Russian military and commercial planemaker unveiled world’s first private jet specially designed for sports teams – SportJet, at the 2016 Farnborough Airshow. Sukhoi is known for its military planes, also makes commercial planes. SportJet is the first private jet for “sports teams and their athletes,” by Sukhoi Civil Aircraft. The SportJet, the third aircraft in Sukhoi’s commercial line-up.

This new aircraft concept of its business jet variant the SuperJet 100. The introduction of it is aimed at the vast and lucrative business of transporting rich sports teams.

It’s a practice today to fly sports teams by charter flights or private jets to avoid fatigue, time-saving, etc. Delta flies 90% of NBA teams by dedicated thirteen aircrafts, whereas United Airlines transports the MLB and NFL teams.

“The SportJet is a sweet piece of our overall sales strategy, there is nothing else like it on the market today, and the potential demand is huge, approximately $1 billion is the value of the global sports air transportation. We plan to change all that,” said Sukhoi Civil Aircraft’s senior vice president of commerce, Evgeny Andrachnikov, at Farnborough Airshow.

The 100-seat SportJet is designed to look after rest, recovery and fitness of athletes travelling from city to city. It has four separate sections –

  • The Recovery Zone has specially designed massage tables for athletes requiring treatment for body aches and pains and taking care of their minor injuries.
  • The Resting Zone isn’t just luxurious, super comfortable beds to sleep but is equipped with biometrical data monitoring systems detecting changes in the body and overall health. World-class multimedia systems having facilities such as 4K resolution monitors built-in to the ceiling.
  • The Coaching Zone also serves as a video room for past analysis, further training/tips and includes many high-tech gadgets for analysis.
  • The Administration Zone is designed for those behind the equally important scenes and are not left out. Having all the ultra-modern office equipment on board required for the team managers and strategic planners.

The SportJet also has exercise bikes, toilets with special seats that measure hydration levels, and each centre has its device for measuring pulse, oxygen, and blood pressure.

Sukhoi says its SportJet will be ready for release in 2018, exact price tag not yet disclosed.