United Airlines adds new fall flights for surprising reason

United Airlines has shared a lot of good news recently. In fact, in its recent earnings statement, the airline reported that it saw its best first-quarter financial performance in five years during the first quarter of 2025.

The company earned record-high revenue of $13.2 billion and experienced total revenue per available seat growth of 0.5% year-over-year. It also saw diversified growth across different revenue streams, with revenue up for premium cabin and basic economy seats, as well as revenue increases in international travel, cargo, and loyalty.

💵💰Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter 💰💵

The Airline attributed its success to its “proven ability to win brand-loyal customers,” which made it “resilient in any economic environment.”

Despite the good news, however, the airline also said it would remove 4% of scheduled domestic capacity beginning in the third quarter of the year, based on reduced consumer demand.

While United may be planning to cut flights somewhere, though, it is also adding them. In fact, the airline recently introduced new flights to its fall lineup, and it did so for a somewhat surprising reason.

Will United travelers soon be headed to a Notre Dame game?

Image source: Robert Alexander/Getty Images

United Airlines adds dozens of flights for fall for one key reason

United Airlines, like all other airlines, aims to make decisions about how to allocate its fleet based on perceived consumer demand. And apparently, the airline thinks a certain football team is going to drive a lot of demand this year.

In fact, United has now added over 24 flights specifically for Notre Dame football games.

“As football fans prepare for the 2025 season, United is adding 24 nonstop flights and flying bigger planes to some of the biggest college football games of the season,” a United spokesperson said.

New flights have been added for both home and away games, including an October 18 game between Notre Dame versus USC, which is expected to draw a big crowd as it is one of the most anticipated games of the upcoming season.

“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,” said Director of Domestic Scheduling James Starnes.

Where is United Airlines adding flights?

So, where exactly is United Airlines adding flights for the big game? Four away games prompted additional flight options, including:

A September 27 game against Arkansas, for which United added a direct flight from New York to Bentonville
A November 1 game against Boston College, for which United increased the size of its Boston/New York flights
A November 15 game against the University of Pittsburgh, for which United increased the size of planes between Newark and Pittsburgh.

There were also seven flights added for home games, including two in September, three in October, and two in November. This includes adding flights for the big USC vs. Notre Dame matchup, for which United added a direct flight between Los Angeles and South Bend, Indiana, and between Newark and South Bend.

If you are a Notre Dame fan and are eager to get to the game, it’s worth checking out United’s new lineup, as the airline is clearly making an effort for people to get to the sidelines.

More on travel:

As Starnes said, “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.”