With Super Bowl LVIII just two weeks away and the playing teams confirmed, airlines are anticipating several fans will flock to Las Vegas to cheer on their home teams. Moreover, it may feel like déjà vu for some as the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers went head to head in the National Football League’s championship only four years ago.

At least three airlines have solidified their plans to increase service to Las Vegas from Kansas City and the Bay Area. Some carriers are also making nods to pop culture, with their flight numbers highlighting the high-profile relationship between celebrity Taylor Swift and Chiefs' tight end Travis Kelce.

American’s added flights

After the Chiefs defeated the Baltimore Ravens 17-10 in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday, it did not take long for American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines to add more flights from Kansas City International Airport (MCI) to Harry Reid International Airport (LAS).

According to its website, American added five flights between MCI and LAS from February 8th to 12th.

Photo: American Airlines

Other reports have suggested that a third flight to MCI will depart at 09:30 on the 12th, but Simple Flying has not independently verified the information. The flight numbers are special, as they are related to Swift, Kelce, and other notable players on the Chiefs, according to AeroXplorer.

• AA 1989 is named after Swift’s fifth studio album
• AA 87 is a tribute to Kelce’s jersey number
• AA 15 is a nod to Chiefs' quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ jersey number
• AA 1521 is the combination of both Mahomes and Chiefs' safety, Mike Edwards’ jersey numbers

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Lewis Townes, American’s LAS Station Director of Operations, commented on the additional flights, according to a statement obtained by AeroXplorer.

“We are excited to welcome football fans to the city, as they experience all that Las Vegas has to offer. These additional flights will give sports fans more direct travel options so that they can touch down, rally with fellow sports fans and cheer on their favorite team.”

“New Romantics”

United has reportedly added six roundtrip flights between MCI and LAS, according to Kansas City NBC local affiliate KSHB.

The Chicago-based airline is also getting in on the fun with creative flight numbers, according to AeroXplorer.

• UA 1587 is a combination of Mahomes’ and Kelce’s jersey numbers
• UA 1989 is also affectionately named after Swift’s album
• UA 2287 is a nod to one of Swift’s songs and Kelce’s jersey number, highlighting their romanticism

United reportedly said the schedule was among its largest Super Bowl schedule and that the added flights would allow up to 1,000 fans to experience the game.

Photo: Lukas Souza | Simple Flying

Southwest also announced flight increases between MCI and LAS on Sunday. Between February 8th and 13th, the airline added 16 roundtrip flights. However, it is not opposed to adding more.

“Once the champion is crowned, Southwest will add additional flights to get fans back home,” the low-cost carrier explained.

San Fran frequencies also expand

San Francisco is not to be left out, as several airlines already operate regular services to and from LAS. On Sunday, American and Delta Air Lines added temporary nonstop flights during Super Bowl weekend. United, which operates a hub at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), added two more flights: UA 1995 and UA 1849. The former reportedly celebrates the last time the 49ers were crowned Super Bowl champions, and the latter commemorates the year the gold miners traveled to Northern California, according to AeroXplorer.

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Southwest, which operates at all three Bay Area airports, announced that up to 68 “nonstop options” will be offered from SFO, Oakland International Airport, and San José Mineta International Airport combined between February 8th and 10th. During the return period on February 12th and 13th, up to 45 nonstop flights will be scheduled from LAS to the Bay Area.