Perth Wildcats Strength and Conditioning Coach Josh Cavanagh has described the decision to fly players to America in business class as a “game changer” for their ability to recover.

The Wildcats arrived in Utah today after three flights, two of which were delayed.

They have only two days to prepare for their NBA pre-season clash with the Utah Jazz but Cavanagh said flying business class had given the players a huge boost.

“It’s really influential,” he said.

“They were able to lie down. The big guys - it’s obviously pretty tough in economy for them.

“To get business has been awesome. It’s been a game changer.”

The players were instructed to live on Utah time from the moment they got on the plane in Perth for the 5.15am departure.

They aimed to sleep for the first 10 hours of the flight from Sydney to Dallas and then arrived in Utah at 8pm.

The players were stunned by a huge crowd of cheering fans upon arrival in Utah before realising they were there to celebrate local missionaries returning home.