Posted On: February 7, 2025
The DAYTONA 500 is fast approaching, and the racing experience has taken off at Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB). To keep up with the demand of fans traveling to the area for the big race, airlines have added additional nonstop flights from major metropolitan areas.
Delta Air Lines added flights from New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and Detroit’s Metro Airport (DTW) Feb. 14 & 17. On those dates, the airline also added additional flights to/from its hub in Atlanta.
American Airlines added flights from Dallas-Fort Worth, TX (DFW) Feb. 13, 14 & 17 and Washington, D.C. (DCA) Feb. 14 and 15. The DCA flights will continue every Saturday through March 29.
Breeze Airways will launch three new destinations during Speedweeks: Hartford, CT (BLD) and Raleigh/Durham, NC (RDU) on Feb. 13 and Providence, RI (PVD) on Feb. 14. Those flights are twice weekly, Thursdays and Sundays for BLD and RDU and Mondays and Fridays for PVD.
“Travelers flying to DAB for the Daytona 500 will be greeted with the roar of race cars from the iconic Daytona International Speedway, which is directly across the street from DAB, so race fans have the fastest track to the action,” said Joanne Magley, director of Air Service, Marketing & Customer Experience for Daytona Beach International Airport.
“We are thrilled our legacy carriers added non-stop flights to four of our top markets for our destination’s largest event of the year, and with the addition of low-cost carriers Avelo and Breeze, travelers now have even more options to get here,” said Magley.
To add to the racing excitement, from noon to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 12, Michael Waltrip, the two-time Daytona 500 Champion, former NASCAR Cup team owner, FOX Sports broadcaster, and co-founder of Michael Waltrip Brewing Company will take on a new role: Michael will serve as guest bartender at DAB and the unofficial welcoming ambassador for race week. Passengers will have the opportunity to chat it up with the legendary NASCAR star and sample some of his signature beer including Talladega Light lager and Bristol Sunshine Tangerine Ale, available at the airport both pre security and in the post security terminal, too.
Due to the Daytona 500 event on Sunday, Feb. 16, there will be traffic congestion surrounding the airport prior to the start of the race. Departing passengers should allow for extra time to get to the airport and should avoid International Speedway Boulevard between Clyde Morris Boulevard and I-95. Travelers should check with local media and traffic channels for the most up to date traffic information.
On Monday, Feb. 17, between 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 pm, there will be larger than usual crowds departing DAB, which could result in longer waiting times in the security checkpoint line. Travelers should arrive two hours early and allow extra time to get through security.
For more information, contact Joanne Magley at jmagley@flydab.com or 386-561-7185.