Louisville International Airport
Kentucky’s main airport is located just outside the city of Louisville. It handles over 3.4 million passengers annually, almost exclusively to destinations within the US. The only international flight is on Bahamasair to Freeport in the Caribbean. Other carriers operating here include American, Delta, Frontier, Southwest, United, US Airways, and Vision Airlines. Louisville Airport runs regular direct flights to 21 cities in America, the busiest routes being to Atlanta, Chicago, Charlotte, Dallas, and Baltimore.
The single, modern terminal has a bright, airy atmosphere and plenty of amenities to help travelers pass the time. Two concourses branch out from the main entrance with a handful of places to grab a light meal or snack, shop for travel sundries, or buy gifts both airside and landside. All stores in the airport keep hours that coordinate with the first and last flights of the day. Wireless internet access is available via Boingo and banking services are found on the upper level of the Landside Rotunda.
Ground transportation into Kentucky is available through two taxi companies located on the traffic island outside of the terminal. There are also a dozen limousine companies operating at the airport and nine car rental firms, including big names like Budget, Hertz, and Thrifty. Car rental counters can be found on the lower level, next to Baggage Claim. About 20 different hotels in Louisville provide shuttle pick-ups for their guests so check ahead with your accommodation to see if this service is offered and make a reservation. Otherwise, you can go to the Reservation Center on the lower level where free phones allow for direct dialing of any city hotel with a courtesy shuttle. City TARC buses have direct routes from the airport to downtown Louisville if you are traveling light.
Blue Grass Airport
Just four miles west of Kentucky’s second-largest city, Lexington, is Blue Grass Airport. This small, regional hub handles just over one million passengers a year, primarily from Atlanta. Other busy routes include Charlotte, Chicago, Detroit, Orlando, and Dallas. Allegiant Air, American Eagle, Delta, United Express, and US Airways Express are the airlines operating regular direct flights in and out of Lexington.
Inside the small but cozy terminal, passengers will find a coffee shop, a sit-down restaurant called the Tap Room, and the Knob Creek Bourbon Lounge for a drink. Snacks are available at Market Fresh, while two gift shops sell souvenirs from Kentucky’s Bluegrass routes. A newsstand is on hand with reading material and five car rental firms have kiosks outside Baggage Claim where you can book an airport shuttle, taxi, or limousine. Several local hotels offer courtesy shuttles for their guests.