As football season approaches, South Bend International Airport is gearing up for an influx of fans traveling to watch their favorite team, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Airlines serving the airport are adding flights to make it easier than ever for Irish fans to attend games, whether they are at home or away.
Julie Curtis, the airport’s vice president of marketing and air service development, emphasizes the importance of arriving at the airport two hours in advance of departure to ensure ample time to clear TSA checkpoints. This rule should be followed not only for football weekends but for all flights, especially during busy game days.
The added football flights are in addition to the regularly scheduled service offered at the airport and provide a significant boost in passenger totals each year. Curtis notes that special event flying has been growing in popularity across the country, and Notre Dame’s iconic football program with its storied history has created a large fan base that attracts travelers from far and wide.
In addition to commercial flights, the airport is also expecting an influx of private aircraft for home games. Several airlines have already added flights to accommodate the increased demand for travel to and from South Bend for Notre Dame football games.
United Airlines, for example, is offering flights connecting local fans to away games against Georgia Tech, Navy, and Army. For fans traveling to South Bend for games, United has added flights for matchups against Northern Illinois, Miami of Ohio, Louisville, Stanford, Florida State, and Virginia.
American Airlines has also joined in, adding direct service between New York’s LaGuardia Airport and South Bend, as well as between Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., and South Bend for every Notre Dame home game. They have also added flights from Miami, Philadelphia, and Boston for the Florida State game.
Delta Airlines has added flights from LaGuardia Airport to South Bend for every home game and has included an additional flight from Tallahassee for the Florida State home game. With these added flights and services, fans have more options than ever to travel to South Bend and support their beloved Fighting Irish.
Overall, South Bend International Airport is prepared to welcome football fans from near and far, providing convenient travel options to ensure a seamless and enjoyable experience for all those attending Notre Dame games. Whether flying in for a home game or traveling to support the team on the road, the airport and airlines are working together to make game day travel as smooth as possible for fans.