TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers‘ travel to Charlotte, North Carolina, was delayed more than seven hours Saturday night after mechanical issues forced them to board a new plane, a team source told ESPN.
According to the original flight plan, the team was scheduled to depart Tampa International Airport at 2:25 p.m. ET Saturday and arrive in Charlotte at 3:55 p.m. ET. The Bucs ended up taking off just after 10 p.m. ET and were scheduled to land an hour and 22 minutes later.
Before switching planes, the Bucs were on the tarmac for more than five hours, the source said. They had to hold team meetings at the airport and also ate a meal there, but it was in an area of the airport for chartered planes with restricted access.
The team scattered about the building and went outdoors to accommodate social distancing.
Tampa Bay is set to play the Carolina Panthers at 1 p.m. ET Sunday.
NFL Network first reported that the team’s flight was delayed.
