Tuesday, August 6, 2024
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United Airlines has launched a tailored flight schedule for Chicago Bears’ 2024 away games, offering fans more convenient travel options and additional flight services.
United Airlines unveiled an unprecedented flight schedule today, tailored specifically for Chicago Bears enthusiasts attending this season’s away games. For the first time, the carrier has modified the departure times for six flights, providing fans the convenience of returning home on the same day as the game. Additionally, United is deploying larger aircraft on two routes and has introduced an extra nonstop flight from O’Hare to London’s Heathrow Airport. This adjustment coincides with the Bears/Jaguars game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium during Week 6, offering a total of four nonstop flights for fans heading to London.
NFL data indicates that Chicago Bears supporters are some of the most fervent travelers in the league, with over 76,000 fans making trips to away games in the 2023-24 season.
“As Chicago’s Hometown Airline and long-standing sponsor of the Chicago Bears, we’re proud to show our support this season with this special schedule for fans,” said Patrick Quayle, United’s Senior Vice President of Global Network Planning. “Our enhanced schedule gives customers options no other carrier is providing, making it easier for fans to support the Bears on the road during some of the biggest games of the season.”
United Airlines stands as the principal carrier in Chicago, orchestrating over 500 daily flights from Chicago O’Hare to 148 destinations across the U.S. and extending nonstop services to over 40 international locales.
For over half a century, United Airlines has served as the official airline for the Chicago Bears, transporting the team to over 350 games and facilitating travel for countless fans to support the Bears during away matches. The airline and the football team frequently collaborate on community initiatives within the Chicago region. One such collaboration occurred earlier this summer when Chicago Bears Tight End Cole Kmet joined forces with United’s Special Olympics Service Ambassadors for a day, aiming to highlight the travel necessities of the organization.
“We are fortunate to continue building on our progressive and collaborative partnership with United Airlines by creating more unique opportunities to accommodate our loyal and passionate fans,” said Bears Senior Advisor to the President/CEO & Chief Administrative Officer, Ted Crews.
“As Bears fans create their travel plans for the upcoming season, it is a welcomed and appreciated gesture by United to provide optimal travel accommodations through increased flight options, helping our fans return to Chicago, and wherever they call home, safely and efficiently,” said Karen Murphy, Bears Executive Vice President of Stadium Development & Chief Operating Officer.
United Airlines is enhancing the travel experience for Chicago Bears fans this season by adjusting flight schedules to accommodate those attending away games:
The airline has re-scheduled return flights to Chicago for seven specific games, allowing fans the flexibility to return either on the night of the game or the following morning:
- Houston, TX (IAH) on September 15 – flight departs at 11:59 p.m.
- Indianapolis, IN (IND) on September 22 – flight departs at 7:19 p.m.
- Phoenix, AZ (PHX) on November 3 – flight departs at 8:45 p.m.
- Detroit, MI (DTW) on November 28 – flight departs at 5:30 p.m.
- San Jose, CA (SJC) on December 8 – flight departs at 7:00 p.m.
- Minneapolis, MN (MSP) on December 17 – flight departs at 7:20 a.m. the following morning.
- Green Bay, WI (GRB) on January 5 – flight departs at 7:41 p.m.
Additionally, United will operate larger aircraft on the routes between Chicago O’Hare and Reagan National Airport on October 27, and to Green Bay, WI, timed with the game schedule.
The airline is also adding extra flights between Chicago O’Hare and London Heathrow on October 9 and 10, with return flights on October 14 and 15, to facilitate travel for the international game.