Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport
Also known as: Louisville Airport, Louisville International Airport, SDF Airport. Formerly Standiford Field.
Private transfer from SDFSee pricesSee pricesAbout Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport
Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) is the main airport for Louisville, Kentucky, in the United States, and for southern Indiana across the Ohio River. It sits about 7 miles south of downtown Louisville. It was called Louisville International Airport, and before that Standiford Field, until it was renamed for Muhammad Ali in 2019.
Southwest flies the most routes, and American, Delta and United connect Louisville with their hubs. Allegiant and Breeze add direct flights to Florida and other leisure destinations. There are no scheduled international passenger flights. The airport is best known for cargo: UPS runs its global Worldport hub here.
All passenger flights use the Jerry E. Abramson Terminal, which has two floors and 24 gates on two concourses joined by a central rotunda, with one security checkpoint for both.
From the airport, most travelers head into downtown Louisville and the Kentucky Exposition Center, out to Churchill Downs, or further afield to Lexington, Bardstown and the Bourbon Trail distilleries.
Airport operator, runways and traffic
- Operator
Louisville Regional Airport Authority
- Runways
Three: two parallel runways (17R/35L and 17L/35R) and runway 11/29
- Passengers per year
About 4.6 million in 2025
- Cargo
UPS Worldport, the global air hub of UPS Airlines
- Gates
24, in the Jerry E. Abramson Terminal
Arrival tips for Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport
SDF has no scheduled international passenger flights, so every arrival comes straight from the gate into the terminal without customs. From either concourse, follow the signs back to the central rotunda and down to baggage claim.
The terminal is small, so the walk from your gate to the curb is short. Once you have your bags, follow the ground transportation signs outside. Taxis, rideshare, hotel shuttles and pre-booked cars each have signposted pickup areas, and the rental car counters are close to baggage claim.
TARC public buses link the airport with downtown Louisville, but they are slower than a car, especially with luggage.
Louisville is on Eastern Time and changes its clocks for daylight saving. During the Kentucky Derby in early May, the airport, hotels and roads are at their busiest, so book your ride well ahead.
Ground transportation
Most travelers use a taxi, rideshare or pre-booked car, as the airport is close to downtown and buses are slower.
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Book a transfer from SDFPrivate transfer
A pre-booked car meets you outside the terminal, useful for Derby week, groups and trips to Lexington, Bardstown or the distilleries.
Taxi from Louisville airport
Taxis wait at the signposted rank outside the terminal. Downtown is a short ride, so the fare stays modest.
Rideshare
Rideshare apps pick up at the signposted zone outside the terminal. Fares rise during Derby week and big events.
TARC bus
Public buses connect the airport with downtown Louisville. The cheapest option, but slow with luggage.
Terminals
Jerry E. Abramson Terminal
The single passenger terminal: two floors and 24 gates on two concourses, joined by a rotunda, with one shared security checkpoint.
Airlines and destinations
Frequently asked questions
How far is Louisville airport from downtown?
Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport is about 7 miles south of downtown Louisville. The drive is short, and taxis, rideshare and pre-booked cars wait outside the terminal; TARC public buses also run to downtown.
Why is Louisville airport named after Muhammad Ali?
The airport was renamed Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in 2019 to honor the boxer, who was born in Louisville. It was previously called Louisville International Airport, and before that Standiford Field, which is why its code is SDF.
Does Louisville airport have international flights?
No. SDF has no regularly scheduled international passenger flights; travelers to other countries connect through hubs such as Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago or Dallas. The airport is a port of entry and handles many international cargo flights for UPS.
What is UPS Worldport?
UPS Worldport is the global air hub of UPS Airlines, at Louisville airport. UPS has had a hub here since 1980, and the facility covers about 5.2 million square feet, handling up to 416,000 packages an hour. UPS employs more than 20,000 people in Louisville.
How many terminals does Louisville airport have?
SDF has one passenger terminal, the Jerry E. Abramson Terminal. It has two floors and 24 gates on two concourses, joined by a central rotunda, with a single security checkpoint for both concourses.
Which airlines fly from Louisville airport?
Southwest flies the most routes from SDF. American, Delta and United connect Louisville with their hubs, and Allegiant and Breeze offer direct flights to Florida and other leisure destinations.