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Friday, January 23, 2026

Notre Dame special: United again offering non-stops from Newark to South Bend this fall

Carrier adding Friday afternoon flights for six home games – increasing size of planes used on existing routes to two road games  

One of the hardest things about going to Notre Dame football games — after getting tickets — is getting a good flight to the area (which often means Chicago).
United Airlines has changed that this fall.  
Included in the carrier’s nationwide college football promotion that includes 24 new non-stop flights created especially for college football fans are six new trips from Newark Liberty International to South Bend International Airport.  
The new non-stops, on Friday afternoon for the Saturday games, include a return on Sunday. They are scheduled for the following games: 
  • Sept. 12: Texas A&M 
  • Sept. 19: Purdue 
  • Sept. 26: Arkansas 
  • Oct. 3: Boise State 
  • Oct. 10: NC State 
  • Nov. 7: Navy 

United also announced it will be using bigger planes for flights that could be used for travel to two Notre Dame road games: 

  • Oct. 31: To Boston for Boston College 
  • Nov. 14: To Pittsburgh for Pitt 

Tickets are on sale. And costs obviously will vary, but here’s a quick look at the first flight – Sept. 12 to South Bend for the Texas A&M game; 

Friday flight 

Leaves Newark: 3:30 p.m. 

Arrives in South Bend: 5:39 p.m. 

 

Sunday return 

Leaves South Bend: 12:20 p.m. 

Arrives Newark: 2:16 p.m. 

 

Cost 

Economy Plus: $935 

Business/first class: $2,575 

James Starnes, United’s director of domestic scheduling, described the initiative this way.  

“From historic touchdowns to once-in-a-lifetime plays, these are the moments fans never forget and there’s nothing like being there to witness it live,” he said. “We’ve added flights across the country to some of the biggest college football matchups, giving fans more options to get in on the action and follow their team on the road this season.”  

And, just for fun, the United flights from Newark to South Bend will be UA 1887, in recognition of the first year Notre Dame played football. 

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