Hold onto your hats (and your mint juleps)—Delta is out of the gate with its largest-ever flight schedule to Louisville (SDF) just in time for the big race. This schedule includes service from 10 U.S. cities, with new flights starting from Austin and Raleigh-Durham, allowing more fans to enjoy the fun in Louisville.
“Kentucky’s prestigious pastime isn’t just a race, it’s an exciting celebration that our customers love to attend each year,” said Amy Martin, Vice President – Network Planning. “We’re adding over 3,000 seats and offering over 60 flights to and from Louisville for the 2026 event, making it easier for customers to take part in the celebrations, whether they’re drawn to the thrill of the race or the festivities.”
Highlights of the 2026 Schedule:
- Atlanta (ATL–SDF): Delta’s largest hub will see added frequencies on peak travel days, increasing to 10 inbound trips and 13 peak return trips this year.
- New York-JFK (JFK–SDF): Following strong performance in 2025, Delta adds an upgrade for 1x on mainline (Airbus A220-100) to meet demand.
- Austin (AUS–SDF) & Raleigh-Durham (RDU–SDF): New non-stop service expands access from these important cities.
Whether you’re donning a fascinator or a fedora, Delta’s got your seat to the spectacle. So polish your shoes, prep your picks and let us fly you to the most exciting two minutes in sports.
2026 Kentucky Derby Frequency Plan:
| Date | Apr 30 (Thurs) | May 3 (Sun) |
|---|---|---|
| ATL–SDF | +2/10x | +5/13x |
| BOS–SDF | +1/2x | +1/2x |
| DTW–SDF | 4 (upgauging to larger aircraft) | 4 (upgauging to larger aircraft) |
| JFK–SDF | +1/1x | +1/1x |
| LAX–SDF | +1/1x | +1/1x |
| LGA–SDF | +1/5x | +1/5x |
| MSP–SDF | +1/4x | +1/4x |
| SLC–SDF | +1/1x | +1/1x |
| RDU–SDF | +1/1x | +1/1x |
| AUS–SDF | +1/1x | +1/1x |
