Airlines add extra flights to Louisville for Kentucky Derby

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Airlines add extra flights to Louisville for Kentucky Derby

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By Sky Industry News

Mar 4, 2025

The Kentucky Derby, a hallmark event in U.S. horse racing, typically draws over 150,000 spectators to Louisville on the first Saturday of May. This influx of fans significantly impacts air travel to the city, with Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) experiencing a surge in flights.

Normally recognized as a major cargo hub for UPS Airlines, SDF transforms into a bustling passenger airport during this period. In 2023, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) anticipated handling 18,000 departing passengers the day after the race—a record-breaking figure for the airport.

TSA Southeast Regional Spokesperson Mark Howell remarked that "almost every seat is going to be full, so it''s going to be about as much as the airport can handle. "

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This year, ahead of the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby on May 3rd, several airlines have announced additional flights. American Airlines has added routes from cities not usually connected to Louisville such as Austin (AUS), Houston (IAH), Los Angeles (LAX), New York (JFK), Phoenix (PHX), and Raleigh-Durham (RDU). It will also increase frequencies on existing routes including Boston and Charlotte.

Delta Air Lines follows suit by introducing new connections from Los Angeles, New York JFK, and Salt Lake City while boosting service on established routes like Atlanta and Minneapolis. United Airlines plans one-off departures from Los Angeles and San Francisco and will enhance its Denver and Newark schedules.

Sun Country Airlines will operate additional round trips between Minneapolis- St Paul International Airport (MSP) and Louisville using their Boeing 737-800 aircraft. Southwest Airlines is set to add frequencies on routes from Baltimore, Chicago Midway, Dallas Love Field among others while introducing flights from Austin.

Allegiant Air will double its Punta Gorda flights during race weekend. Spirit Airlines introduces new corridors including Houston-Los Angeles-Newark- Louisville alongside small frequency boosts for Fort Lauderdale-Orlando-Tampa.

Breeze Airways makes slight schedule adjustments with added flights from Tampa- Charleston-San Francisco-to-Louisville while increasing services from Raleigh- Durham and Fort Myers.