NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – Louis Armstrong International Airport was a bit rowdier than usual Monday morning with New Orleans Saints fans filing into Terminal A for a special flight to Paris ahead of the first NFL matchup in France.
The flight was set up by New Orleans Saints owner Gayle Benson and offered seats for 190 people, from super fans, to the Saints cheer squad to elected officials from across Louisiana.
Among them was Mark Landry, who was eager to return to France to sight-see, but to also see his beloved football team.
The charter group will have multiple days of special tours, experiences and more, with the highlight being the Saints game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.
Governor Jeff Landry and Attorney General Liz Murrill were among the guests on the flight. The pair said they have meetings with French businesses leaders and leaders in the energy sector.
Landry said the meetings are an effort to promote Louisiana to an international audience.
“We will be meeting with BP executives and Shell executives to talk about the economic impact we are having now,” Landry said.
Murrill said the game will be a chance to showcase not only the state but the country to sports lovers in France.
“We are ambassadors for our country — something we love very much,” Murrill said.
Other fans also headed to France early to take in the sights, like the Kleinpeters.
“Food’s great. Scenery is wonderful. Transportation is nice. We are looking forward to it,” Lynn Kleinpeter said.
The couple planned their France trip about a year in advance with the hope of seeing attractions and a Saints win.
“I expect the saints to win the game and sack Aaron Rodgers 14 times,” Leonard Kleinpeters said.
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