Summary
- Rockets’ history includes All-Star players like Malone and Olajuwon leading them to NBA Finals in the past.
- Recent success includes MVP James Harden helping the Rockets reach the Western Conference Finals in the late 2010s.
- The team operates a Boeing 767-300ER widebody jet, showcasing a unique way to transport players and staff.
The Houston Rockets are among the most popular teams in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Rockets were first established in 1967. They were originally located in San Diego and were, therefore, called the San Diego Rockets. However, in 1971, the team was relocated to Houston. The Rockets started off slow, and after a decade of existence, the Rockets were unable to record a winning season.
In 1976, however, the Rockets traded for the All-Star center Moses Malone. While playing for the Rockets, Malone would win the Most Valuable Player award twice. Malone helped the team to its first NBA Finals appearance, and the team saw flashes of success.
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After Malone left the franchise, the Rockets turned to Hakeem Olajuwon in the late 1980s. The tall center, paired with Ralph Sampson, helped the team to the 1986 NBA Finals. The Rockets lost to the Boston Celtics, yet the team continued to make the NBA playoffs for the next several years.
Finally, the Rockets broke through in the 1990s. Olajuwon led the team to victories in the 1994 and 1995 NBA Finals, the most successful era in the Rockets’ history. However, after a brief stint of success with Yao Ming in the early 2000s, the Rockets have not seen great success.
The team was able to make it to the Western Conference Finals in the late 2010s with the help of MVP James Harden. However, the Rockets have not made an NBA Finals since the 1990s.
The Rockets are currently looking to rebuild for the coming years. The team is loaded with young talent, and the front office is looking to expand on these players through the NBA Draft and free agency in the future. The front office has also recently taken control of a business jet to help ferry the team and the staff across the United States.
The use of a large aircraft like the one the Rockets operate is seen as a positive for new recruits and helps the team travel quickly and efficiently during the busy 82-game season. Let’s take a closer look at the unique Boeing widebody that the Houston Rockets operate.
The Rockets’ private jet
According to JetSpy, the Houston Rockets currently operate a Boeing 767-300ER widebody jet. This aircraft, which is registered as N625HR, was first manufactured in 1992, making it nearly 32 years old.
Per ch-aviation, the order for this aircraft was placed by United Airlines in 1989, and the aircraft was first delivered in September 1992. United operated the aircraft until the end of 2005. The aircraft is owned by Fertitta DB Incorporated, which leases the aircraft. After 2005, the aircraft was operated by several other charters and airlines. This includes:
- OceanAir
- Avianca Airlines
- Asia Atlantic Airlines
Most recently, iAero Airways operated the aircraft for several years. Currently, the Houston Rockets are the main operator of this aircraft. This is easily seen with the custom livery that is displayed on the aircraft, which includes the Rockets’ logo on the aircraft’s vertical fin.
Photo: hlopex | Shutterstock
Recent activity of N625HR
According to JetSpy, N625HR has completed 78 total flights in 2024. This has added up to nearly 150 total flight hours. These flights have used over 225,000 gallons of fuel, which has led to over 2,000 metric tons of carbon emissions. Also, per JetSpy, the three most visited airports for N625HR are:
- William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) in Houston, Texas
- Dallas Love Field (DAL) in Dallas, Texas
- Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in Newark, New Jersey
Additionally, N625HR has made frequent trips that line up with the Rockets’ schedule, indicating it is used to transport the team and its staff. For example, N625HR was used to transport the Rockets from Houston to Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) for the beginning of a road trip on April 10.
The Rockets would then play the Utah Jazz on April 11. The aircraft also transported the team to Portland International Airport (PDX) and then Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) over the next several days, which is when the Rockets would play the Portland Trail Blazers and the Los Angeles Clippers.
About the Boeing 767
Boeing originally developed the Boeing 767 widebody airliner as early as 1978. The series of aircraft began with the Boeing 767-200, beginning deliveries in September 1982, and the extended range variant, the Boeing 767-200ER, in 1984.
Additionally, Boeing released a stretched variant of the Boeing 767-200, which was later designated the 767-300, in 1986. It followed up the introduction of the 767-300 with an extended range variant, designated the 767-300ER, in 1988. The 767-300ER would become the most popular variant, and it is also the type of aircraft that the Houston Rockets operate.
Photo: Carlos Yudica | Shutterstock
Overall, the Boeing 767-300ER has the following performance specifications:
|
Length |
180 feet three inches |
|---|---|
|
Height |
17 feet nine inches |
|
Wingspan |
156 feet one inch |
|
Maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) |
412,000 pounds |
|
Range |
5,980 nautical miles (6,880 miles) |
|
Cruise speed |
486 knots (560 miles per hour) |
|
Service ceiling |
43,000 feet |
Several types of engines have been used on the 767 family. However, the Houston Rockets aircraft utilizes two Pratt & Whitney PW4060 turbofan engines. These provide over 45,000 pounds of thrust.