The Ultimate Trip: Poker Player Flies Private Plane to the USA

It has been 28 long years since Scotland last qualified for international football’s biggest stage. Now, fans known affectionately as the Tartan Army are celebrating their team’s historic return to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Thousands of loyal supporters are enduring exhausting 10-hour commercial flights across the Atlantic Ocean to cheer on their country. Their line says it all: “No Scotland, no party!”

However, two die-hard fans are taking travel to a whole new level. Scottish poker player Fraser MacIntyre and his close friend David Smith are actually flying to the USA themselves. This incredible Fraser MacIntyre World Cup adventure is making headlines across the sports and gaming worlds.

Who Is Behind the Wheel of the Private Plane?

Who is the man behind the control wheel? Fraser MacIntyre is a highly talented poker player who boasts over $1 million in live tournament winnings. You might remember his impressive 214th-place finish at the 2025 World Series of Poker Main Event, which earned him a cool $60,000.

Aside from his time at the poker tables, he is a wealthy businessman who acquired Main Event Travel back in 2014. In December 2022, he was appointed as the vice chairman of the Scottish football club Ayr United. His trusty co-pilot, David Smith, is the chairman of the very same club.

The football-loving duo often travels to local away games by air, utilizing MacIntyre’s private pilot’s license. However, their ambitious plan to fly to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is their biggest challenge yet. They are making the epic journey in a Cirrus SR22T single-engine propeller aircraft.

Navigating to the 2026 FIFA World Cup

This small private plane is certainly not a commercial jet built for direct ocean crossings. With a top speed of 213 knots, a maximum altitude of 25,000 feet, and a range of about 1,000 nautical miles, the trip required careful planning. To make it safely, they split the massive journey into several exciting legs.

Using the official call sign GJRSH – but affectionately nicknamed “Ayr Force One” – the duo began their adventure on June 9. Flying a private plane over the icy Atlantic takes extreme skill, bravery, and focus. Here is a quick look at their carefully planned flight schedule:

By June 12, the brave travelers were already crossing into North American airspace. Live flight trackers showed their aircraft making great time as they crossed the Canadian border into the United States.

The Amazing Fraser MacIntyre World Cup Story

The pair timed their journey perfectly. They aimed to land, grab a quick refreshment, and head straight to Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. On Saturday, June 13 at 9:00 p.m. EDT, Scotland faced off against Haiti in their highly anticipated opening match.

This Group C matchup is massive for Scottish fans, and betting experts predicted a thrilling game. The cherry on top must have been the 1-0 win for Scotland, but this dedicated poker player has already secured his spot in the ultimate sports fan hall of fame.

The amazing Fraser MacIntyre World Cup story proves that true sports fans will do absolutely anything to support their team. Not that he could not afford to take a comfortable business class flight, but this is an adventure of a lifetime on multiple levels. We hope the high-flying duo enjoys a fantastic time at the tournament!