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The countdown to Kentucky’s biggest weekend is officially on. Earlier this week, I wrote about Spirit Airlines adding flights to Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF). Now, American Airlines has announced that it’s expanding its schedule and offering more nonstop options than ever before for race week.
American will connect Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) with a record 20 nonstop destinations this year to make it easier for fans to arrive in style with their seersucker suits, spring dresses, and extravagant hats ready to go. The airline has introduced special nonstop flights to 13 additional destinations between April 30 and May 3, complementing its existing service to seven year-round markets. These added flights provide travelers faster and more convenient ways to reach Louisville during one of the city’s busiest travel periods.
American’s will add extra flights and utilize larger aircraft for flights scheduled into Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) from:
- Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)
- Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
- Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
Compared with a typical day at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF), American will more than double its number of flights during the busiest race week travel dates. This includes:
- 41 arriving flights on April 30th
- 46 departing flights on May 3rd
For travelers flying in from the West Coast, American is offering a premium race week experience. Special flights from John Wayne Airport (SNA) aand Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) will operate using the Airbus A321T, which features Flagship® First and Flagship® Business seating. American is the only airline offering lie-flat seating between Southern California and Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF). All other flights into Louisville will operate on dual-class aircraft.
During race week, American will operate special flights connecting Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) with cities across the country, including:
- Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)
- Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
- Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
- Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
- Jacksonville International Airport (JAX)
- Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)
- Miami International Airport (MIA)
- Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY)
- New York John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
- New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
- Palm Beach International Airport (PBI)
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
- Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT)
- Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)
Austin, Houston, Jacksonville, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Raleigh, Santa Ana, and West Palm Beach are special seasonal additions not normally served nonstop from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF).
Jason Reisinger, American’s Managing Director of Global Network Planning, said:
Blooming roses, ice‑cold mint juleps and all the excitement of race week are just a flight away with American’s expanded schedule. With these added nonstops to Louisville, travelers can break from the gate in style and arrive with plenty of time to soak in every sip, gallop and celebration.”
Anthony’s Take: American is going all out for the Kentucky Derby. The carrier is smart to add nonstops to the races and these flights will likely be packed.
(Image Credits: American Airlines.)
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Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
