The New York Knicks arrived at Westchester County Airport on Sunday morning to a celebratory welcome following their first NBA championship victory in 53 years. The team returned from Texas shortly after defeating the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals.

Fans gathered as Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns and franchise legend Patrick Ewing appeared, waving from passing SUVs amidst chants of “Let’s go Knicks!” The post-game festivities had begun immediately after the victory and carried on throughout the team’s chartered Delta Air Lines flight back to New York.

Newly released audio recordings reveal that air traffic controllers and pilots shared in the excitement. An air traffic controller in Texas congratulated the team before takeoff, prompting pilots to confirm the players were actively celebrating onboard. “The plane’s rocking,” one pilot said, describing a lively atmosphere as the team enjoyed the moment rather than resting.

En route, the flight was granted a scenic detour over the Verrazzano Bridge and along the Hudson River, offering the team a visual homecoming before landing. Controllers across New York’s busiest air traffic facilities—LaGuardia, JFK, Newark, and Westchester—expressed their congratulations over radio communications, noting their own fatigue but also their happiness for the Knicks’ triumph.

“They finally settled down about 30 minutes ago, but before that, it was a pretty excited bunch back here,” the pilot remarked as the plane neared its destination. A controller replied, “We’re on our second box of coffee this morning. Go New York.”

Upon touchdown, the Knicks were greeted with a water cannon salute, underscoring the significance of the occasion. Throughout their playoff run, Delta had actively supported the team and fans, distributing more than 2,000 rally towels and awarding tickets to Game 4 of the Finals held at Madison Square Garden.

Emmakate Young, managing director of sponsorships for Delta, emphasized the partnership’s importance in a statement, highlighting New York’s integral role in the airline’s history and expressing pride in celebrating the Knicks’ championship alongside the team and its fans.