LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy

Air Time: Which NRL Team Spends the Most Time Flying in 2026?

In 2026, the New Zealand Warriors will no longer hold the title for the most air travel time, as the North Queensland Cowboys take over this distinction. The Cowboys' travel demands, primarily driven by their trips to Las Vegas, contribute to their extensive airtime.

The Cowboys face an arduous journey, clocking nearly 40 hours for a round trip from Townsville to Las Vegas, including layovers. This lengthy travel puts them at a notable disadvantage, especially considering they will hit the road for an additional 11 games throughout the season. This includes five matches scheduled in Sydney, one in Canberra, and another in Christchurch, pushing their total travel time over the 100-hour mark.

Meanwhile, the Warriors will embark on 15 trips away from Auckland, hosting Magic Round in Brisbane and organizing home games in Christchurch and Wellington. Their total airtime for the year is just shy of 100 hours.

Beyond the Warriors and Cowboys, there is a considerable drop in air travel time for other teams traveling to Las Vegas: the Newcastle Knights, Canterbury Bulldogs, and St George Illawarra Dragons all face lesser travel burdens. The Melbourne Storm also contend with significant airtime, exceeding the 50-hour threshold.

For the remainder of the league, the travel schedules are noticeably more balanced. The Wests Tigers and Parramatta Eels benefit from relatively easy travel arrangements, as they spend nearly no time away from Sydney after Round 11.