Dollywood Expands Fan Flight Program with New Cities & Perks

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  Food and Wine on Wed, Apr 08th, 2026 by Travel + Leisure
      Locale: UNITED STATES

Pigeon Forge, TN - April 8th, 2026 - Dollywood Parks & Resorts continues its year-long 50th-anniversary celebrations with a bold new initiative: a dedicated fan flight experience in partnership with Allegiant Air. Building on the initial success of the 2024 inaugural flights, the program has been significantly expanded for 2026, offering more routes, enhanced in-flight entertainment, and packages tailored to a wider range of Dollywood enthusiasts.

Originally launched in August 2024 with flights from Atlanta, Cincinnati, Lexington, and Pittsburgh to Knoxville, the "Dollywood Fan Flight" proved remarkably popular, selling out within days of the announcement. Recognizing the demand, Dollywood and Allegiant have collaborated to introduce additional departure cities for 2026, including St. Louis, Indianapolis, and Memphis. This expansion dramatically increases accessibility for fans across the Midwest and beyond, allowing more people to easily experience the award-winning theme park and its surrounding Smoky Mountain region.

"The response to the first fan flights was overwhelming," explains Emily Newton, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications at Dollywood. "It demonstrated a clear appetite for a more immersive and convenient travel experience. We've listened to our guests and are thrilled to unveil a greatly expanded program for 2026 that builds on that initial success. This isn't just about getting to Dollywood; it's about starting the Dollywood experience the moment you board the plane."

The 2026 Fan Flights aren't merely transportation; they're a pre-park celebration. Passengers can now anticipate significantly upgraded in-flight entertainment, featuring live musical performances by Dollywood's talented performers, character meet-and-greets, and themed trivia contests with Dollywood merchandise as prizes. The menu has also been revamped, offering regionally inspired cuisine reminiscent of the park's dining options - think miniature versions of Dollywood's famous cinnamon bread and country-style comfort food. Allegiant aircraft serving the Dollywood routes are receiving custom branding, adorning the exterior with vibrant imagery of the park's attractions and showcasing Dollywood's 50th-anniversary logo.

John Walbrecht, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Allegiant, commented, "Our partnership with Dollywood is a prime example of how we deliver unique and memorable travel experiences. We specialize in providing affordable, non-stop service to leisure destinations, and Dollywood is a perfect fit. We're constantly looking for ways to enhance the passenger journey, and transforming the flight itself into part of the vacation is something we're particularly proud of."

The 2026 offerings include multiple tiers of packages. The base "Smoky Mountain Explorer" package, starting at $499, includes round-trip airfare and a one-day Dollywood admission ticket. The "Frontier Adventure" package ($799) adds a second day at Dollywood and a pre-paid parking pass. The premium "Harvest Festival Haven" package ($1199) provides a three-day park hopper pass (including access to Dollywood's Splash Country water park), preferred seating at select shows, and a $100 Dollywood shopping credit. Exclusive packages geared towards families and groups are also available.

Beyond the flights themselves, Dollywood is also leveraging the partnership to offer exclusive pre-flight events in select departure cities, providing fans with a chance to meet Dollywood ambassadors and win prizes. These events aim to build excitement and foster a sense of community amongst Dollywood enthusiasts.

Looking ahead, both Dollywood and Allegiant are exploring possibilities for even greater integration, including potential themed airport lounges and dedicated Dollywood check-in counters. The success of the fan flight program underscores the power of strategic partnerships in enhancing the overall visitor experience and solidifying Dollywood's position as a leading family entertainment destination. As Dollywood marks its half-century milestone, this innovative travel experience promises to deliver even more magic to guests for years to come.

For more information and to book a Dollywood Fan Flight, visit www.dollywood.com/fanflight and www.allegiantair.com.