Allegiant's Destination Dollywood flights left Orlando Sanford on Friday, 10 weeks after Dolly Parton's death. Seats on the second flight started around $407 one way, more than four times the usual fare.
Dolly Parton fans in blonde wigs flew from Florida to the Smoky Mountains on Friday, Nov. 6, aboard Allegiant's Flight 925, a themed trip to Dollywood named for Parton's 1980 hit "9 to 5."
USA Today's Eve Chen was on board out of Orlando Sanford International Airport. "I counted at least six blonde wigs," she wrote. USA Today's video from the trip showed fans dressed up to celebrate Parton's life.
That framing is new. Allegiant and Dollywood announced the flight in February as a fan party. Parton died Aug. 25 at age 80 in Nashville, her representatives said, NPR reported. By the time Friday's flight took off, the party doubled as a tribute.
Allegiant scheduled two themed flights from Sanford to Knoxville's McGhee Tyson Airport that day: Flight 925 at 12:57 p.m. and Flight 2925 at 4:16 p.m., The Daytona Beach News-Journal reported.
Fans paid for the theme. A one-way seat on the second flight started around $407 when it went on sale in March, the News-Journal found, compared with about $90 on Allegiant's regular seasonal Orlando to Knoxville service.
Here's WBIR's report from Flight 925's landing in Knoxville:
What happened on the Destination Dollywood flight?
Disney Food Blog flew Flight 925 and said a whole section of the airport was blocked off just for this flight. Dollywood musicians and butterfly fairy characters greeted passengers at the gate.
Each passenger got a "passport" that earned stamps for finishing challenges around the gate. Other stops included:
A matching game and a spin-the-wheel for small prizes
A friendship bracelet station
A butterfly photo op with glittery photos
Snacks and a Destination Dollywood photo spot
Once in the air, passengers played games, including a Dollywood Super-Fan Trivia Challenge, which the DFB crew said it aced. The flight to Knoxville takes about 90 minutes, so the trivia had a hard stop.
Allegiant and Dollywood had also promised live entertainment, exclusive merchandise and themed food and drinks. Most airport gates offer a charging outlet, if you're lucky.
Why did Allegiant add a second Dolly Parton flight?
Flight 925 sold out fast. Allegiant told Dollywood it was one of the fastest-selling flights in the airline's history, Dollywood president Eugene Naughton said when the second flight was announced March 4.
"Because the first flight was so popular, we know some guests missed out," Naughton said. The add-on got the number 2925, which keeps the "9 to 5" nod going.
When Flight 925 was announced Feb. 17, Naughton called it Allegiant's "first-ever themed flight for fans." Allegiant chief commercial officer Drew Wells said it was "all about embracing the joy of travel."
What do Dollywood flight passengers get at the park?
Flying didn't require a park ticket. Passengers who bought Dollywood admission got a special experience at the park on Saturday, Nov. 7, during Smoky Mountain Christmas, according to Dollywood. That includes:
Exclusive ride time on select rides
Reserved show seating
Special treats and what Dollywood called "surprises"
A lodging package at DreamMore Resort and Spa or HeartSong Lodge & Resort took up to 25% off nights on Nov. 6 and 7. It also came with a $100 resort credit, two Dollywood tickets with TimeSavers and trolley rides to the park.
Flyers can also try NightFlight Expedition, the new adventure coaster Naughton plugged when the flight was first announced.
When is Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas 2026?
Smoky Mountain Christmas runs Nov. 6, 2026, through Jan. 3, 2027, with more than 6 million lights. It's the park's first Christmas season since Parton's death. We covered the plans in "Dollywood's first Christmas without Dolly Parton starts Nov. 6."
"Dolly's love for the Christmas season began right here in these beautiful Smoky Mountains," Naughton said in the season announcement.
Highlights this year, per Dollywood and Laughing Place:
Christmas in the Smokies at Celebrity Theater
Heidi Parton's A Christmas To Remember, with Dolly's niece sharing family Christmas stories
Snow in the Grove, with nightly snowfall over Wildwood Creek
Santa in his cabin through Dec. 23, plus Breakfast with Santa at Aunt Granny's on Dec. 12, 13, 19 and 20 ($24.99 adults, $12.99 kids)
Will Allegiant fly another Dollywood flight?
Allegiant and Dollywood haven't announced a 2027 Destination Dollywood flight. Allegiant does run a regular seasonal route between Orlando Sanford and Knoxville, minus the friendship bracelets.
Article compiled and written by Kambrea Pratt (editor-in-chief), Derek Gibbs (beat editor) and the Pirates & Princesses newsroom. Pirates & Princesses is part of WebReef Media.
Pirates and Princesses is your destination for Disney news, theme park updates, and the pop culture you love. From Disney cruises and travel tips to Disney fashion, food, collectibles, and movie news, PNP covers it all. Visit us at piratesandprincesses.net for daily coverage. Follow PNP on Facebook and Instagram, and listen to the Pirates & Princesses podcast on Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
Hat Tips:
USA Today (Nov. 7, 2026), Eve Chen's first-person account and the fan video
Disney Food Blog (Nov. 7, 2026), the gate party and in-flight trivia details
NPR (Aug. 25, 2026), Dolly Parton's death
The Daytona Beach News-Journal (March 4, 2026), departure times and fares
Allegiant and Dollywood (Feb. 17 and March 4, 2026), flight announcements, park perks, lodging package and quotes
Laughing Place (Nov. 2, 2026), Smoky Mountain Christmas dates, shows and Santa details
AI Disclosure: All articles are assigned, edited and reviewed by an experienced human editor before posting. Like most modern newsrooms, WebReef Media uses a variety of AI tools to help with accuracy and efficiency. Ways AI may be used in article creation include research, grammar, fact-checking and ideation, as well as occasional AI generated or enhanced thumbnails or graphics. No articles are generated or posted without human oversight or involvement.