Having a GOAT in the team is indeed a morale boost. But can it be a bummer as well?

Looking at the USA women’s gymnastics team, one might wonder. In a week, the pack is going to fight hand-in-hand in the Paris Olympics to bring glory to the country. But at the very beginning of their journey to Paris, they stand separated from Simone Biles! And the reason might sound disheartening.

As per the latest update, Biles is flying business class with United Airlines, while Jordan Chiles and the rest of the crew are aboard a Delta One aircraft. This comes as a stark contrast, considering they are a close-knit team of 5, that also has her BFF Jordan Chiles. But why this turn of events? Is Simone getting the advantage of the GOAT? Let us find out.

While it might not be completely called an advantage, Simone’s standing in the gymnastics realm is definitely one reason that prompted the development. It has its beginning in 2021, ahead of the Tokyo Games. That year marked 40 years of United supporting Team USA as their official airline sponsor. To commemorate the occasion, they chose Simone as the face of the airline.

Back then, United Airlines onboarded Simone as the elite ambassador for their “Time to let yourself fly!” campaign. The company’s senior vice president of market and community innovation, Janet Lamkin, had expressed great pride as United had been a part of the athletes’ journeys ‘from practice to the podium.’ She hailed that United is committed to doing hard work to be the best and engaging deeply with the communities they serve. They also showcased Simone in a video commercial. Simone had also reciprocated to it.

Expressing a strong sense of trust, Biles commended them, “I feel like they [United] believe in my dreams on and off the mat and they’ve always gotten me to all my destinations safely.” Evidently so, as United has flown coaches, athletes, and staff members, including their equipment to and fro destinations for decades. Since the airline is sponsoring Biles, evidently, this year also, they are helping their star athlete reach Paris with all the comfort and luxury. However, the issue of most of the other athletes being flown in economy class has often come into the discussion.

As per USOC communications chief Patrick Sandusky, the US teams, regardless of sport or gender, are given one economy-class ticket per athlete, coach, and official. But individuals can upgrade to business class at their wish and expense. This has caused some bizarre situations. On June 25, US decathlete Harrison Williams took to X posting pictures of him, Heath Baldwin, and Zach Ziemek after they qualified for Paris. His ask to Delta was the business class ticket for the three.

“Can we please get 3 business class tickets to Europe for the games? We’re all 6’5 and need those spacious lay-flat seats so we’re ready to compete,” Williams wrote. This battle to fly business class came to the fore in the previous Olympics as well. As United posted a picture of Simone Biles in the business class, the North Shore Gymnastics Association launched a fundraiser to upgrade three Minnesota gymnasts to United Polaris. With $34,860 raised, they finally made them travel in business class. But why all the athletes do not get to fly business class?

A simple explanation from Delta back in 2021 was the unavailability of business-class seats. Even if the airlines wanted to fly all the Olympic athletes in premium cabins, it’s typically not possible. For instance, in 2018, Delta denied the USA men’s curling team an upgrade on their way back home from Pyeongchang. They had shown a lack of availability as the reason. While Delta seems to have earned some not-so-good reputation in this fiasco, United had earned all the praise from the fans this year ahead of an all-important football clash with an unanticipated announcement.

After the Simone Biles fans, United Airlines hypes the Swifties and football buffs

In January 2024, United announced a special something for all the Taylor Swift loyalists, aka the Swifties, and the Kansas City Chiefs supporters. Ahead of the 2024 Super Bowl, they announced extra flights to Las Vegas, from Kansas City and the San Fransisco Bay Area. How many? Well, nearly 15 direct flights! Now whether the passengers were all excited for a thrilling football game, or just to sight the singing sensation T Swift, United was more than happy to facilitate their dreams.

Besides, they had a few other aww-worthy tricks up their sleeves. One of the flight was named UA 1989, after Swift’s popular album. Similarly, given Kelce and Taylor’s brewing romance, they added another flight named, ‘UA 2287.’ Can you decode the reference? Well, the power couple’s fans certainly can. 22 is one of Swift’s songs and 87 is printed on the back of Kelce’s jersey. Another one of their flights, ‘UA 1587′, combined Patrick Mahomes and Kelce’s numbers.

What do you think of United Airlines’ journey intertwined deeply with the sports world? Let us know below.