What's flying over Louisville right now?

What you're seeing over Louisville

Over Louisville, the jet overhead is very likely a UPS freighter. Louisville Muhammad Ali International, about five miles south of downtown, is home to UPS Worldport, the company's global air hub and one of the largest package-sorting facilities in the world. Each night, waves of UPS jets arrive from across the US and around the world, packages are sorted, and the jets depart again before dawn, which makes SDF one of the busiest cargo airports anywhere.

SDF's parallel runways run north-south, so the UPS waves cross the city's south end, Okolona and the neighborhoods around the airport, as well as southern Indiana across the Ohio River. Passenger flights from Southwest, American, Delta, United and Allegiant fill the daytime schedule. Bowman Field, east of downtown, is one of the oldest continuously operating commercial airports in the country, and Fort Knox, to the southwest, adds Army helicopters. Every May, the Kentucky Derby brings a flood of private jets. The UPS waves are best watched after dark, and our guide to spotting planes at night explains how to read the lights.

Airports near Louisville

• cargoSDFLouisville Muhammad Ali International Airport
  KSDF · 6 miles south of downtown
  Home of UPS Worldport, the company's global air hub, and Louisville's passenger airport. Live traffic at SDF ↗
• general aviationLOUBowman Field
  KLOU · 5 miles east of downtown
  One of the oldest continuously operating commercial airports in North America, now used by general aviation. Live traffic at LOU ↗
• general aviationKJVYClark Regional Airport
  KJVY · 8 miles north of downtown
  A general aviation airport in Sellersburg, Indiana, across the river. Live traffic at KJVY ↗
• militaryFTKGodman Army Airfield (Fort Knox)
  KFTK · 27 miles southwest of downtown
  The airfield at Fort Knox, southwest of Louisville. Live traffic at FTK ↗

Common traffic over Louisville

UPS dominates SDF's traffic, especially at night. Its fleet includes 767-300 freighters, 747-8Fs and 757s, plus 777 freighters on long-haul international routes. The heaviest waves arrive late in the evening and depart in the early morning hours, with a smaller daytime operation as well.

On the passenger side, Southwest is the largest airline, with American, Delta, United, Allegiant and others adding service with 737s, A320-family jets and regional jets.

SDF has two parallel runways running north-south and a crosswind runway:

• South flow, common with prevailing south winds: arrivals descend from the north over the Ohio River, southern Indiana and the city's west end, and departures climb out to the south over Okolona and Bullitt County.
• North flow: arrivals come in from the south over Okolona and departures climb north over the river and southern Indiana.

During the overnight waves, UPS jets arrive one after another for hours, creating one of the most distinctive flight patterns in the country.

Kentucky Derby week, the first Saturday in May, brings one of the biggest surges of private jets anywhere, with business aircraft parked across SDF, Bowman and regional airports. Thunder Over Louisville, the air show and fireworks that kicks off Derby festivities, brings military aircraft low over the riverfront. Military flying also includes Army helicopters from Fort Knox and the Kentucky Air National Guard's 123rd Airlift Wing, which flies C-130s from SDF. Helicopters include UofL Health and Norton medevac services, Louisville Metro Police and news crews.

Aircraft you'll often see here

Plane-spotting tips for Louisville

The roads around SDF's perimeter, especially near the runway ends along Crittenden Drive and Grade Lane, give views of UPS jets and passenger flights. The Waterfront Park area downtown and the Big Four Bridge offer views over the Ohio River of arrivals descending in south flow. Bowman Field's Art Deco terminal and the surrounding parks are good for watching general aviation. Late evening is the best time to watch the UPS wave arrive, with landing lights stretching across the sky. Summer humidity can create haze, while fall offers the clearest skies. Derby week is also a fine time to watch business jets arriving in long lines at SDF and Bowman.

Louisville sky questions

Nearby cities

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