United Airlines, a Chicago-based airline and the official airline of the American football team Chicago Bears, has announced a new flight schedule in line with the team’s away matches to cater to the expected travel boom this season. 

According to a press statement by the airline, which is the second largest carrier of the United States, it is adjusting departure times of six flights so fans have the option to fly home the same night as away games. 

United is also flying larger planes on two routes and adding an additional nonstop flight between Chicago O’Hare Airport and London’s Heathrow Airport for the Bears/Jaguars game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in October, adding up to four total nonstop flight options to get to London.

According to data from the National Football League (NFL), a major American professional football organisation, Chicago Bears fans are among the most dedicated road warriors in the league, more than 76,000 Bears fans travelled to away games during the 2023-24 season.

Patrick Quayle

“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. 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,” says Patrick Quayle, Senior Vice President of Global Network Planning of United Airlines. 

The statement adds that United operates more than 500 daily departures from Chicago O’Hare with nonstop service to 148 cities in the United States and nonstop service to more than 40 international destinations.

It goes on say that United Airlines has been the official airline of the Chicago Bears for more than 50 years, flying the team to more than 350 games. 

Ted Crews

The two organisations consistently partner for community engagements in the Chicago area including earlier this summer, when Chicago Bears Tight End Cole Kmet worked alongside the airline’s Special Olympics Service Ambassadors for the day to help drive awareness of the organisation’s travel needs.  

“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,” says Bears Senior Advisor to the President/CEO and Chief Administrative Officer, Ted Crews.

Karen Murphy

“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,” says Karen Murphy, Bears Executive Vice President of Stadium Development and Chief Operating Officer.