Photo Credit: SDF / Jonathan Roberts
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Celebrations are underway for today’s inaugural nonstop flight to Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) from the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) on American Airlines. This new flight marks a major milestone for SDF as the airport continues expanding its flight options and begins daily service to the largest unserved market for both cities.
“It’s great to see today’s excitement for the first nonstop between Boston and Louisville,” said Dan Mann, Executive Director of the Louisville Regional Airport Authority. “This was the highest priority for me when I came to SDF. In fact, pre-pandemic, there were upwards of 200 passengers a day traveling between the two cities on connecting flights. American saw the strength of Louisville’s market and filled the need for nonstop service. They are a great partner for our airport and we look forward to their continued support.”
Nonstop service to Boston offers the region’s travelers and area businesses even more convenient access to the Northeast for a variety of key industries such as healthcare and the growing tech sector. This flight also provides easy connections to international flights including London, Barcelona and Doha through American and their partner airlines. It also gives New Englanders wishing to experience the hometown of Muhammad Ali a convenient option to enjoy the community’s strong cultural scene, numerous attractions and world-renowned bourbon tourism.
“Kentucky is a world-class travel destination and every day we are working hard to showcase the Commonwealth as the ideal destination to live, work and play,” said Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet Secretary Mike Berry. “Today’s announcement is another example of how the Beshear Administration is committed to working with tourism partners like American Airlines to position Kentucky to be a hub for business and leisure travel.”
Daily service between BOS-SDF will be offered on a 76-seat Embraer 175 complete with dual-class seating, Wi-Fi and the widest Economy seat class of any aircraft.
“This new route to Boston opens a direct connection between our cities’ thriving healthcare industries and growing tech sectors and will open more doors for our local entrepreneur ecosystem to potential venture capital,” said Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer. “Paired with in-demand flights to San Francisco and L.A., business and leisure travelers now have direct access to key cities on both coasts. Thank you to American Airlines for their commitment and continued investment in Louisville.”
“Direct service to Boston will have a major economic impact on our area, further connecting us with the East Coast and their flourishing technology and life sciences fields that we are working to grow in Greater Louisville,” said Ben Pratt, Senior Vice President and Chief of Regional Economic Growth for Greater Louisville Inc. (GLI). “Between the new Boston route and last week’s addition of a nonstop flight to San Francisco, the Louisville Regional Airport Authority is leveling up our region’s competitive advantage and allowing us to compete for talent and jobs like never before.”
With the addition of Boston, American offers nonstop service to eight markets from SDF including Charlotte, Chicago O’Hare, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Miami, New York LaGuardia, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.
“We’re excited to connect Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport with Boston, complementing our existing service to Charlotte, Chicago-O’Hare, Dallas-Fort Worth, Miami, New York-La Guardia, Philadelphia and Washington-Reagan,” said Philippe Puech, American Airlines Director of Domestic Network Planning. “With this new route, American strengthens its position as the largest passenger carrier in Louisville with up to 25 peak daily departures. Whether customers are getting back to business or reconnecting with family and friends, we’re eager to welcome them on board.”
To mark the inaugural flight at SDF, ‘Air Service Patriots’ helped kick-off the formal program that included remarks from a variety of local and state leaders against a Boston Harbor background that featured an interactive replica of the bow of a colonial ship. The program’s festivities concluded with a celebratory toast of Samuel Adams Boston Lager.
Beantown-bound travelers enjoyed a Boston-themed cake, sweet treats and a special cannoli making station from Adrienne and Company Bakery Café. In addition, Boston Baked Beans candy as well as metal stein mugs and socks featuring the commemorative Boston-Louisville inaugural nonstop event logo were handed out as well as a bevy of SDF-branded items.
To complete the Boston experience, local company Fleur de Tea provided samples of the same flavors of tea imported by the British East India Company that were ultimately tossed into the into the harbor during the Boston Tea Party.
“Today’s festivities are a great way to celebrate this new flight between Louisville and Boston,” added Mann. “More importantly, it’s another indication that SDF is flourishing with on-going growth and positive momentum that not only our community, benefits travelers in the region.”
