American Airlines Expands Flights for Kentucky Derby Week: More Routes, Bigger Planes

American Airlines will boost service to Louisville when the Kentucky Derby arrives. Peak days will see more than twice the usual flights. Thirteen cities without typical connections will get temporary routes to the host city. The carrier made the announcement Friday.

According to the Charlotte Observer, 41 arriving flights will touch down April 30. May 3 will bring 46 departing flights. That's a jump from the roughly five daily flights between Charlotte and Louisville most days.

Seven airports with year-round Louisville service will see bigger aircraft and more departures during Derby week. These hubs include Boston, Charlotte, Chicago O'Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami, Philadelphia, and Washington National.

Thirteen markets will get temporary service. Austin, Houston, Jacksonville, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York-JFK, New York-LaGuardia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Raleigh-Durham, Santa Ana, and West Palm Beach will all have special flights for the race weekend.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport will send six flights to Louisville on April 30 and May 1. Six return flights from Louisville to Charlotte are set for May 3.

The 152nd Kentucky Derby happens on May 2 at Churchill Downs in Louisville. Most extra flights leave for Louisville on April 30 and May 1, returning May 3.

Charlotte Douglas ranks as the second-largest hub for the carrier. About 90% of all flights out of the airport come from this airline. The company offers flights to more than 170 destinations across 27 countries from Charlotte through its network.

Raleigh-Durham International Airport will also gain nonstop routes to Louisville. Two flights will run for the race: one from Raleigh-Durham to Louisville on April 30, and a second from Louisville back to Raleigh-Durham on May 3.

Derby Week Racing kicks off Saturday, April 25. It wraps up with the race on Saturday, May 2. The event holds the title as the longest-running sporting event in the U.S. Events during the week include Dawn at the Downs, Thurby, and the Kentucky Oaks.