Updated Feb. 7, 2022

Super Bowl LVI will take place on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022, at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. Game time will be at 3:30 p.m. (PST). The following information has been gathered by NBAA Air Traffic Services to assist business aviation flights planning on operating into and out of the Los Angeles metropolitan area during the published timeframes.

Super Bowl LVI Special Air Traffic Procedures Domestic Notice

Review the FAA press release “Super Bowl LVI Flight Requirements for GA Pilots.”

A reservation program to facilitate ground services in the LA Basin will be in effect from 0800z on Feb. 9, until 0800z on Feb. 15, 2022. Reservations are being accepted, and all operators are encouraged to make plans and reservations now. Each FBO has been given an allocation of slot times from their respective airport directors, but those slot times are running out quickly. Reservations must be obtained through your FBO of choice at the given airport.

Compared to the last two Super Bowl events in Florida, reservation slots for Super Bowl LVI arriving traffic will be more limited. As a result, drop-n-go reservations are encouraged versus overnight parking in order to better accommodate all business aviation flights. With reservations expected to run short of demand, operators should make their reservations soon. Additionally, it is likely that the primary airports in the area will be NOTAM’d arrivals by Prior Permission Required (PPR) only, in or around game day weekend.

The following airports are accepting reservations through their respective FBOs:

  • Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
  • Jack Northrup Field / Hawthorne Municipal Airport (HHR)
  • Van Nuys Airport (VNY)
  • Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR)
  • Long Beach Airport (LGB)
  • John Wayne Airport (SNA)
  • Ontario International Airport (ONT)
  • San Bernardino International Airport (SBD)
  • Santa Monica Municipal Airport (SMO)

Other airports in the region, not included in the reservation program, may encounter overflow traffic due to the limited number of reservations being allotted during this event, plus the expectation of drop-n-go stage parking, at the above listed locations. Users should be prepared for ramp congestion and possible FAA initiatives during the event week.

Due to the limited number of reservation spaces and projected high-demand, a few accommodations have been made:

  • The VNY hours of operation will be amended (extended) on Super Bowl Sunday to serve the needs of the increase in demand.
  • LAX over-ocean overnight operational requirements will be eased off and pushed later into the overnight on Sunday night.

Special Air Traffic Procedures

Review FAA Special ATC Procedures for Super Bowl LVI.

Special air traffic procedures to enhance the efficiency and safety of the anticipated increase in aircraft operations and minimize delays will be in effect throughout the LA basin at primary airports in the reservation system area.

Outlying airports – in areas such as Las Vegas, Palm Springs and San Diego – are expected to absorb a significant portion of the overflow volume and could likely see similar air traffic initiatives and temporary procedures in place.


FAA Initiatives

Increased air traffic volumes will likely challenge ATC’s ability to deliver air traffic to the LA basin. Crews should anticipate Air Traffic Management Initiatives throughout the week.

Anticipated Peak Air Traffic Volumes
Arrivals
  • Wednesday, Feb 9, through (and especially) Saturday, Feb 12, from 1000 local until 1800 local
  • Sunday, Feb 13, from 0900 to 1400 local
Departures
  • Sunday, Feb 13, from 2000 to 0300 local
  • Monday, Feb 14, from 0700 to 2000 local

Crews can lower opportunities for possible delays and initiatives by scheduling around these time periods if flexible. FAA initiatives could include the following:

  • Ground Delay Programs (GDP)
  • Airspace Flow Programs (AFP)
  • Time Based Metering
  • Miles in Trail
  • Airborne Holding
  • Ground Stops

Required Route Structures for Arrivals and Departures

Preferred IFR arrival routes to the Los Angeles region must be followed during the arrival phases from Wednesday, Feb. 9, until Tuesday, Feb. 15. These routes apply to the following airports:

  • Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
  • Van Nuys Airport (VNY)
  • Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR)
  • Long Beach Airport (LGB)
  • Jack Northrup Field / Hawthorne Municipal Airport (HHR)
  • John Wayne Airport (SNA)
  • Ontario International Airport (ONT)
  • San Bernardino International Airport (SBD)
  • Santa Monica Municipal Airport (SMO)
  • Palm Springs International Airport (PSP)
  • San Diego International Airport (SAN)
  • Chino Airport (CNO)
  • Zamperini Field Airport (TOA)

Review routes in the FAA Special ATC Procedures for Super Bowl LVI.

Additional information is available in the FAAʼs Safety Plan for Super Bowl LVI.

Crews should be prepared for possible reroutes and contingency handling based on air traffic demand, ongoing random ATC staffing limitations (due to COVID-19 and other staffing triggers) and the publishing of additional route segments.

Special Event TFR for Game Day

A special event TFR has been published via NOTAM for the Super Bowl, which outlines the specific impacts associated with the TFR. The NBAA VIP TFR NOTAM Impact page is available to members with information and accompanying graphics to help to break down the NOTAM.

The Super Bowl TFR prohibits general aviation operations within a 10-mile radius from the stadium from 1430 local (2230z) until 2030 local (0430z/14) on Feb. 13, 2022, with additional restrictions and instructions from 10-30 nautical miles.

TSA screening and gateway procedures will be in effect for the LAX departures during the TFR effective times and as delineated in the NOTAM.

Download the FAA’s Super Bowl LVI Flight Advisory (PDF)