The Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) is set to welcome visitors from around the world for the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby, marking the airport’s busiest time each year. From Wednesday, April 30 through Friday, May 2, nearly 34,000 arriving seats are scheduled at SDF with a combined 15 nonstop routes added just for Derby 151. During this time, arriving passengers will be greeted with an authentically Kentucky experience throughout the terminal.
“Derby is always an exciting time at SDF,” said Dan Mann, Executive Director of the Louisville Regional Airport Authority. “The meticulous planning our team does every year – intentionally assessing our operations for both arrivals and departures including in the terminal and on the airfield – ensures we are ready to welcome race fans from around the world. We want visitors to know they’ve arrived in Louisville and we are committed to providing that best-in-class experience from the moment they’ve stepped off the plane. Plus, we want them to have an efficient and positive experience as they return home.”
Thursday, May 1 will be this year’s busiest day for arriving race fans with 15,500 seats scheduled at SDF, followed by Friday, May 2 with 10,000 scheduled seats and Wednesday, April 30 at 8,200 scheduled seats. Five of the eight airlines serving SDF have added a combined 15 nonstop routes just for Derby 151. Plus, of SDF’s more than 35 nonstop destinations, 24 of the existing routes increased capacity for Derby as well. The top routes with the most capacity are Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, Charlotte, Chicago and Denver. Capacity from the New York City-area has increased by nearly 420% with added flights from New York City-JFK on both American Airlines and Delta Air Lines as well as Spirit’s new service to Newark.
To greet the thousands of arriving travelers, the rotunda area where Concourses A and B meet, becomes a hub of activity and the perfect selfie stop. A rotating lineup of festive, live music will be performed by 110 local musicians from morning until midnight on Wednesday, April 30 through Friday, May 2. The talent of these performers, who are part of the Louisville Federation of Musicians (Local 11-637), immediately set the tone for arriving visitors to the city. Occasionally, passengers will even turn the area into an instant dance floor.
A nearly-life-sized Thoroughbred, decorated with its own Garland of Roses sits in the airport’s very own Winner’s Circle. A replica Finish Line post meets passengers as they cross the line to exit to the terminal’s post-security areas.
Visitors from around the globe are also welcomed by ‘Derby Greeters,’ who are fashioned in festive attire, complete with a Derby-inspired hat or fascinator. These Greeters offer a taste of the Commonwealth as they distribute 30,000 complimentary Woodford Reserve® bourbon balls over the three-day period. The Jerry E. Abramson Terminal is also decorated with more than 3,000 fresh red roses from the gate area to baggage claim.
‘Departure Sunday’ or the Sunday immediately after Derby Saturday, is typically the airport’s busiest day each year as most visitors depart Louisville. To wish them well on their journey home, local musicians will perform soft, soothing music outside Book & Bourbon Southern Kitchen as well as in the rotunda at the entrance of Concourses A and B.
This year’s departures are likely to set a new two-day record with a combined 28,000 seats scheduled to leave SDF on Sunday, May 4 and Monday, May 5. Sunday is expected to be SDF’s single busiest day of 2025 – and could set a new, single-day record for the airport – with nearly 18,500 departing seats scheduled across 117 flights.
“With near record-crowds expected at SDF, we know it’s going to be several busy days for our team and that of our airport partners,” added Mann. “I’m confident SDF is ready for Derby 151 and it’s going to be another successful year.”
Click here to view the 2024 Derby in-terminal festivities at SDF.
For photos and other assets for this year’s Derby at SDF, follow the airport on Facebook, X or Instagram.
