It's a problem getting flights from Htfd to Atlanta without going through Chicago or Detroit - which makes for a very long trip. I think last year it was over twelve hours from our door to the hotel in Atlanta, plus we had weather delays. We have several CT FRC teams which make the trip each year, on the same day, with large teams (30-45 people), and only a handful of flights that will take groups. And it's expensive. And while taking a charter with other teams would seem like a good solution, some schools won't allow it. Sports team airfares are usually a good way to book the flights. Or break up the team into smaller groups (just be sure you specify which names you want to go on which flights or you could end up with all students on a flight and all the adults on another flight!
and that's another story in itself! 
...)