United adds nonstop flight for IU at Nebraska, plus other big college football games

INDIANAPOLIS — A new nonstop roundtrip flight from Indianapolis to Lincoln, Nebraska, has been added to United Airlines' fall schedule, but for just one weekend, when Indiana University takes on Nebraska in a heated Big Ten football rivalry.

Coming off a storybook season in which Indiana won its first college football national championship by defeating Miami 27-21 and finished a perfect 16-0 season, United saw an increased demand from Hoosier fans wanting to travel to away games.

Indiana has three other away games on its schedule this season, Washington, Rutgers and Michigan. Direct flights have not been added for those.

The United flight from Indy to Lincoln departs 1 p.m. Oct. 9 and arrives in Nebraska at 1:52 p.m. local time (the flight is 1 hour and 52 minutes). The game is played at Memorial Stadium (Nebraska) Oct. 10, time to be announced. And the return flight to Indy leaves 12 p.m. Oct. 11 and arrives at 2:50 p.m. local time (the flight is 1 hour and 50 minutes).

Prices for the direct flight to IU football range from $380 to $1,150.

Indiana isn't the only new nonstop roundtrip flight United added for the upcoming college football season.

There are seven new flights for Notre Dame games, including Michigan State, Stanford, Miami, Boston College, Rice, Wisconsin and SMU.

Other new nonstop flights include: Ohio State at Texas, Wisconsin at Penn State, Alabama at Tennessee, Alabama at LSU, Oregon at Ohio and Texas at LSU.

“As fans get ready to cheer on their favorite teams this fall, we’re adding flights across the country to college football's biggest matchups,” Michael Weeks, managing director of domestic dchedule development at United, siad in a statement. “From action packed games to historic rivalries, these are the moments fans look forward to, and we’re thrilled to help them get there.” 

Follow IndyStar sports reporter Dana Benbow on X: @DanaBenbow. Reach her via email: dbenbow@indystar.com.   

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: United adds nonstop flight for IU at Nebraska, plus other big college football games