Traveling via plane is fun — jet-setting over beautiful blue waters or rolling hills, taking in cloud formations, and landing in a completely different location in a matter of hours is unlike anything else.

The wholenavigating the airport part? Less exciting, and sometimes pretty stressful. To help make your time at the Blue Grass Airport as smooth as possible, we’ve created a guide that covers everything from master plan updates and parking to details on the airport’s 18 nonstop flights.

What to know

Parking | Not everyone has a bestie that will drop them off at the terminal at 3 a.m., but thankfully LEX has options. See rates for short-term, long-term, and valet parking.
TSA | According to TSA officials, it takes ~5 minutes to get through during off-peak hours and ~15 minutes during peak hours (which are around 6-9 a.m.).
Map it out | If you’re like us and need to completely visualize a place before you step foot inside, these maps of the entire airport will be your saving grace.
Food and drink | Fuel up for your flight at one of LEX's restaurants or shops. Get a taste (or a sip) of southern hospitality at The Bourbon Library Restaurant & Bar. And if you need a tried + true Bluegrass gift, check out the extensive wine and bourbon offerings from Cork & Barrel.
Reminder | As of May 2025, you need a REAL ID to board commercial flights in the US. Pro tip: A passport also works.
Flight status | While we recommend staying updated via your respective airline, you can also check the airport’s dashboard for your flight status in a pinch.

Stop in Cork & Barrel to see its unique + rare bourbon collection. | Photo provided by Blue Grass Airport

Nonstop flights

Lexington offers 18 nonstop flights to nearby locations and across the country.

Bonus: Get lower fares by signing up for Going. You’ll get emailed when flights are 40-90% cheaper than usual. Get a two-week free trial of the Premium plan, which lets you set custom destination flight alerts (score).

Pro tip: Remember that flight times and schedules will often change — you should rely on your respective airline for exact timing and to stay updated on any changes.

New York City | Delta | Daily | Times vary
Atlanta | Delta | Daily | Times vary
Charlotte | American | Daily | Times vary
Chicago | United | Daily | Times vary
Philadelphia | American | Daily | Times vary

Fly comfortably

While we may not be able to offer solutions for crying babies or mysterious in-flight meals, we do have some tricks up our sleeves for upping your comfort while flying. Browse some of our favorite travel essentials:

The AirFly Pro | Make sure you can always access in-flight entertainment (while avoiding the wired headphones airlines pass out) by using an AirFly. It plugs into your seat’s headphone jack and connects to your earbuds or headphones via Bluetooth.
Trtl travel pillow | The Trtl pillow is scientifically designed to provide a better head position when sleeping upright, thanks to an internal support system comfortably cushioned in cozy fleece.
Bose Noise Canceling Headphones | These headphones are tried-and-true traveling companions, beloved for their crisp sound and ability to block exterior noise.
Cozy Earth joggers | These Oprah-approved joggers are polished enough to navigate the airport in, but comfy and stretchy enough for long flights.
Anti-nausea wristbands | Some simple anti-nausea wristbands might relieve a nervous stomach or sensitivity to turbulence while flying.