The New Orleans Saints are set to log some serious frequent flyer miles in the 2026 NFL season, ranking 11th in total travel distance with a whopping 21,892 miles across their eight road games. That's a hefty itinerary, but the real kicker? The gap between the Saints and the league's most-traveled team is wider than the entire season's mileage for 11 other squads.

A midseason transatlantic flight to Paris for an NFL International Series clash with the Pittsburgh Steelers is the main culprit behind the Saints' elevated air time. While New Orleans sits comfortably in the middle of the pack, the top spot belongs to the San Francisco 49ers, who will cover a staggering 38,105 miles thanks to games in Melbourne, Australia, and Mexico City. The Los Angeles Rams, their season-opening opponents Down Under, are right behind them.

For the Saints, managing fatigue will be critical. The ideal scenario would see them play a Thursday Night Football game in Week 6 before jetting off to France in Week 7, with a bye in Week 8 to recover. That would give the team a chance to reset after the international trip and prepare for the second half of the season. However, the NFL didn't opt for a two-game European swing like the Minnesota Vikings did last year with stops in Dublin and London, so the Saints will have to make do with a single overseas adventure.

On the flip side, the Carolina Panthers will enjoy the lightest travel schedule in the league at just 8,740 miles. That could be a significant advantage when these two NFC South rivals meet twice this season. As the Saints gear up for a grueling travel slate, nailing down their rest and recovery routine will be key to staying game-ready from kickoff to the final whistle.