Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport Guide

IATA SDFICAO KSDFLouisvilleUpdated 2026-08-28
Local time
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Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport sits approximately 11 km south of downtown Louisville, Kentucky, serving a metro area of over 1.3 million people. The airport opened for commercial operations on November 15, 1947, replacing Bowman Field as Louisville's primary civil aviation hub. In 2024, it handled over 4.8 million passengers across 24 gates in the Jerry E. Abramson Terminal.

SDF is one of the largest cargo airports in the world. UPS Airlines began operations here in 1981 and now runs its global air hub — Worldport — a 5.2 million square foot facility on airport grounds. This makes Louisville the sixth-busiest cargo airport worldwide and third-busiest in the United States, processing nearly 7.5 billion pounds of cargo annually.

The airport is operated by the Louisville Regional Airport Authority and is in the midst of a $1 billion capital improvement program, SDF Next, launched in 2019. Eight airlines served 41 nonstop destinations across the U.S. in 2025, with the airport recording its third-busiest passenger year on record.

Services

4 of 6 available

Compare 22 listed options at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, spanning parking, car rentals, hotels and shuttles. Each guide sets out locations, distance from the airport, key features and links to book direct, so you can weigh cost against convenience before you fly. Select a service below to see every provider we track for Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport.

Location

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Key facts

Size
4.8M passengers (2024)3 runwaysopened 1947
Location
38.171, -85.735
Operator
Louisville Regional Airport Authority

Terminals

1 terminal

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport has 1 passenger terminalJerry E. Abramson Terminal, handling both international and domestic flights for around 8 airlines. Check which terminal your airline uses before you travel, as check-in, security and boarding points differ between them, and moving from one to another can take time.

  • Jerry E. Abramson TerminalMixed

    Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, Delta, United Airlines, Allegiant Air, Breeze Airways, Spirit Airlines, Frontier Airlines

    Concourses Concourse A · Concourse B

Nearby cities

3 cities

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport is closest to Louisville (11 km north), and also serves Jeffersonville, Elizabethtown and other nearby areas. With 3 towns and cities within reach, it is a practical gateway for the wider region. Distances shown are straight-line from the airport, so allow extra time for road transfers, traffic and parking.

  • Louisville11 km north
  • Jeffersonville19 km north
  • Elizabethtown63 km south

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the airport codes for Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport?

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport uses the following codes: IATA: SDF, ICAO: KSDF. These codes are used by airlines, pilots, and travel systems to identify the airport.

Where is Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport located?

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport is located in Louisville, Kentucky, United States. The airport coordinates are 38.1706°, -85.7351°.

What services are available at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport?

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport offers: 2 parking options, 9 car rental companies, 10 nearby hotels, 1 shuttle services, public transport connections. Click on each service type above to view detailed information.

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